This letter was sent to her parents explaining what happened.
Mom was arrested on several occasions and bailed out by Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. repeatedly. A letter was sent from Talladega University to her parents with the hopes that they would understand the reasons for Mom's participation in the organized demonstrations. The letter espoused that the arrests were a necessary means of making democracy a living reality and to "eliminate the segregation of public facilities in the city."
While awaiting the results of this election, Mom sat quietly thinking about the smell of the pillow in the jail cell. She remembered the food tray that was pushed through the opening in the bars. She remembered 1963 when her twenty one year old, eighty six pound frame was dragged from a five and dime store for having the audacity to order a Coke...which landed her in jail...again.
To read more on this letter please read my photo essay Sunset on an Era. For greater details go to my husband's diary at:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/8/15311/5146
In the Sunset on an Era photo essay.
22 responses
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Patricia Shanahan gave props (9 Nov 2008):
What a treasure ! Awesome !
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adniloj gave props (9 Nov 2008):
Awesome essay girl!
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Oregon Curly gave props (9 Nov 2008):
If one is to be arrested, I can think of no better reason than this. Far, far better than the reasons for the overwhelming amount of arrests today. You did (and do) well.
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Gary Joseph Cohen gave props (10 Nov 2008):
Wow, what a document...thank you so much for posting this.
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Michael Lynch gave props (12 Nov 2008):
Awesome; you get some finds !
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elfriede fulda gave props (13 Nov 2008):
Great find, good entry...
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Hannah DeYoung gave props (16 Nov 2008):
ingenious!
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Lynn H gave props (17 Nov 2008):
Excellent!
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david ong gave props (19 Nov 2008):
ROCK!!!!
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Robert Duncan gave props (20 Nov 2008):
great story. thanks to your Mother and the thousands of others who peacefuly demanded and won change.
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Zircon 215 gave props (24 Nov 2008):
Hope you never lose this piece of family (and country) history, Sherry! You should have it suitably framed and keep it on display.
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Andrew Lorimer (Deleted) gave props (24 Nov 2008):
History is an amazing thing great posting!!!
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Yasmina Baggili gave props (1 Dec 2008):
Wow, lovely shot! and story!!!
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Alexis Gerard gave props (4 Dec 2008):
Hallelujah!!
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Jay El said (18 Dec 2008):
This is what makes us proud! Now, let's fight hard. Too many kids don't have what to eat (here in America, too!)
Thank you 4 sharing this wonderful heritage, S.! -
Joy B gave props (9 Jan 2009):
This is powerful! Without brave people like your mom, today my beautiful and talented daughter would not have the freedoms that are her rights. THANK YOU TO YOUR MOM!
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Jose Antonio González gave props (18 Jan 2009):
This is fantastic and people should remember this was not too much time ago!
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Kreddible Trout said (17 Feb 2009):
wow. this is one of the most thought provoking, important, powerful images on this website.
thank you for sharing. thank your mom for standing. -
dp * said (17 Feb 2009):
Wow, great story and whata mom! A hereo for sure, you know what they say about the apple and it's ability to fall from the tree...not far, ehh. Love it, dp
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Ronnie Ginnever said (25 Feb 2009):
Wow Sherry, this is a piece of history. This is a letter to be framed, cherished and proud of for generations to come. I kissed my TV last night during Obama's address to the Nation - but I wasn't wearing lipstick. I send a kiss to your Mother too. Thanks for sharing this with us.
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Christopher J Chalk gave props (8 Mar 2009):
Very emotional document, your Mum was obviuosly one deteremined woman!
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Gloria Childers gave props (24 Apr 2009):
What a wonderful piece of history you have there.
