Newspapers / The Carolinian (Raleigh, N.C.) / Dec. 24, 1966, edition 1 / Page 18
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18 THE CJIBOLQfIAN RALEIGH, N. C\, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1960 I Saw The Freedom March 1966 BY MISS CATHERINE YOUNG "^V AUTHOR I-SS - Catherine Young Brown is the- daughter o‘ the late Mrs. Ethel I.ightnei Young of Raleigh, We publish ed a numbei of Cathe ri n e Young’s works from forty-five to fifty-six. “1 Saw The Free dom March” is a follow up of “I Hear Singing Americans,” from which the winning skit for the annual Jabberwock of Lwl, sponsored by the Raleigh chap ter of Delta Sigma Theta Sor ority, was taken. PROLOGUE Racing home with but one thought in view, And gasping with each breath 1 drew 1 exclaimed, “Mom, there’s going to be a Freedom March, And everyone should be there.” "Now. wait child, take care. What's all dir ’bout a Freedom March? Where yuh gonnah march 0 ” “Mom, we are going to Wash ington, D. C. Just think, 1 can see The Capitol of the United States The White House and the Mon ument, Even the President.” “Wait a minute chile, What cha talkin’ ’bout? When dis gonnah be?” “You know Mon, my teacher told us All about the Freedom March, And everyone can go.” “Can go: Now wait chile, You donne make no sense.” “But Mom, this is going to be Really something to see.” “Child, such doings is only meant Fuh fokes wif’ money-, And automobiles, and clothes; And honey, You ain’t got none uv dose.” “But Mom, you don’t have to have money; You don’t have to have clothes. You don’t have to have any thing But a round-trip ticket That’s just half-price.” “Dat’s nice, But what yuh gonnah do Wif’ a ticket dat’s half-price And no shoes or clothes dat’s fittin’? Yo’ shoes so thin Yuh can count pebbles when you walk. ” “But Mom, my teacher says Clothes do not matter.” “Listen child, Maybe tVould be great tuh go, But yuh Ma’s ole hands Aches huh so, Dey’s most neigh done to de quick. I can’t take no more washin’. I’se jes’ ’bout sick.” I turned away With my head in my hands. As I began to pray, I could see myself bobbing to and fro Through the crowds, cheering loud. When I retired that night, I looked up at the big bright moon And prayed God would send me right To the source whereby I might Find means to go To the Freedom March. Each day our teachers remind ed us That the Freedom March was a must For boys and girls who'd some day The empowered citizens of this great country, Who would make the laws And man the courts And demonstrate to the world True democracy. I walked and prayed silently On my from school, “Lord, look at me please; I don’t ask for fancy clothes, I don’t ask for spending change. I just hope you can arrange For my fare to the Freedom March. I don’t know what I will do When I get in Washington. I just w-ant to be- there To see what is to be done, And how I can help do it. If you never grant me another wish Lord, 1 beg with all my heart, Do open away for me to go To see the Freedom March. Please Lord. Amen. So to a nation Os frustration and hate Came the day of the Freedom March. Our world for ages longed, Envisioned, dreamed, hoped and prayed to see This blessing wrought in reality. Where men. like brothers Walking hand in hand Join forces to assure this great land Os peace and brotherhood With all, for all and unto all. Many times I have walked these streets at dawn But failed to realize The splendor of the rapturous morning sun-rays Across the dew-drenched lawns. The tents spread on the Monu ment grounds Were soon replaced by the crowds waving banners, That came streaming from air ports, from train depots, From buses, from automobiles, Yes even footsore and weary Many hiked the distant miles With but a dream A dream of a grand experience, A taste of freedom And to be a part Os making that dream come true For all society. I beheld, from the hill Os the Washington Monument, Dew-kissed portals Glistening like Heaven’s pearly gates ill leading to one central spot; As unto the twelve gates To the eternal city of Heaven Tamo thousands of weary tra velers, Up, up. up, up From the east, From the west, From the north, From the south, Marching, marching, marching, marching, Chanting in one accord their triumph songs. There was no strife, But hearts over-flow big with love and tolerance, An understanding peace. A special glow of delight Beamed in their faces For just being there, Sharing lunches, A spot in the shade Or a hand to the Infirm. After the coffin hearing “Jim Crow” To it’s resting place was lowered, On the Freedom March pro ceeded down Constitution Avenue To the Monument of Abraham Lincoln, Led by the Grandfather of the Dream, Proud that he had lived To witness the hour of deci sion. Charitable organizations do nated lunches. Comfort stations, the Army supplied, That no essential need be de nied. Chords were touched that day Which never played before. With the marching of feet, Little feet, big feet, Weak feet, strong feet There resounded the echo And re-echo of Freedom! freedom' freedom! freedom! Not selfishly, Not proud, But sufficiently loud To be heard around the world. No trumpets blasted, No drums were beat, Just constant feet Trudging out from a dim past Into the sun, The sun of a bright, new day. Crosses and burdens Seemed a pleasure That measured Sincerity. They came in wheel-chairs, On canes and on crutches, Even leading the blind As though to find A healer for their cares. My heart throbbed with ex ceeding w-armth As I beheld a young mother, Poorly clad, visably pregnant, Carrying a babe In arms, And dragging two more little ones By her side. It was evident She wanted her little ones To witness there and have inbred In their little hearts This new life, To drink freely, Though it be only a taste Os Divine love, Activated in the hearts of mankind. Along the way were the Zacchaeus’. Many a youth sought the higher view From the boujhs, Yielding their spot in the shade to others. It was a situation of idealism, As there was no real desire But to be and let be, To see and not to be seen. A strong, younger leader of our land, Lifting the burden Os a tired old man, Depicted little children, Black and white, gentile and Jew, All growing hand In hand With one point of view, Not fearing, not caring, Only rejoicing and singing Thanks to God. Like Lilies of the field, Free at last, Not to do anything they please, But to live neighl<orly, To work and be Citizens free, Each as his brother’s keeper. Sympathy and undei standing Sought not it’s own delight, But that it might Quince the flame of embittered hate. I heard negroes, whites, gen tiles and jews Proclaiming one worthy bit of new s, Freedom now, and brotherhood, Now, or never Whatever betide. We all are God’s children. The privilege must not be de nted Even the ieast among us. My Lord, what a morning! Then the stars (movie stars, stars of stage and screen) Began to fall In line. From the four corners of the earth they came, Troubled, concerned, sincere. Nobody knows the trouble had seen. Freedom Lord, freedom for all Before I meet my grave. Come all join in one accord. My Lord, what a morning - That morning of the Freedom March. As orderly as the twenty-two thousand Descended on Washington, So did they depart in peace When the day was done. KERRY DRAKE *CALUM ALL AMtf/CANS' TH/S IS SGT KERRY PRAKE SPEAKING •' U. S SAVINGS BONOS ARE THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON , #/w/vg / jP (jTfttiif Season is the opportunity to express m our Tor your confidence and v ISkAt loyalty and to wish each of you the Gyf NORTH CAROLINA MUTUAL * * LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY Durham, N. C. j " - U)m'tina? ! hearty good wishes! NATIONAL ART INTERIORS (Designers) 530 HILLSBORO ST. TE 3-9717 RALEIGH, N. C. Outlines Attack On Slum Problems ROCHESTER, N. Y. - Thelo cation of new light industries in urban slums could provide jobs for ghetto residents and spark the rebuilding of these areas, a Lalxrr Department offi cial has declared here. Deputy Administrator Mark Battle of the Neighborhood Youth Corps visualized a new enterprise “implementing a conscious policy to hire both the residents of the ghetto and those who live outside the ghet to.” He said these new industries born of the computer and data processing - might entice sur burban residents to relocate in the center-city area, which could lead far-reaching com munity improvements. As these persons moved in, he said, they would bring the desire for new housing, good schools and t ran spot t it ion, health facilities and recrea tion areas as well as the “know how” to accomplish these things. In a speech delivered before the Rochester City Club, Mr. Battle added: “Some industries have all. , t _ dy joined the slum-renewal drive -- and the early n suits indicate far-reaching and happy implications for the ghetto, the general market and the indus tries themselves.” The Federal official assert - ed that the Nation is now focus- ing on help for slum-area resi lient s because of “a new In creasing nationwide awareness that the dignity of this country is a reflection of the dignity of all of its citizens.” I’amting a grim picture of what a big-city ghetto is, Mr. Battle said, “The ghetto has problems crying for solutions; frustrations demandingexpres s! in and potentials pleading for fulfillment. ” He listed the following as some of the most urgent needs of these blighted urban areas; --Schools that respond "positively'’ to children asthey are. --Health services that are ‘• convenient, eomprehensive and inexpensive” O-neighbor hood clinics where a sick per son can receive treatment not just, diagnosis. --Decent nousing that would low-income families as v ' 11 as be so appealing that persons from other areas might bo enticed to live in the city. --Branch libraries, recrea tional facilities, theaters, con cert s and museums. --Employment opportunities 'os r< idents in their own 1 VA • : >sf and inexpensive public transportation to other parts of the city. - An "infusion of different ia -s,” people with different i :i - and backgrounds who hold different Jobs and present dif ferent Images. Mr. Battle also outlined five general guidelines for meeting the special needs of big-city slum areas. The first step, he said, “is to plan with the people who live in the ghetto--not only plan for or about but with. One of the biggest needs of the ghetto is to be included to be Involved.” Other guideposts he offered include a “real” commitment to the principle of equality; plan ning based on “real” under standing of the community; pro grams that are oriented ob jectively and contain account r- * I k • § fll * ... TO ALL AT CHRISTMAS! TVe Make Dresses and Draperies MR. CLEAN CLEANERS Cor. Martin and Tarboro Sts. i \ ill/ ! i %■ jLj a OLD-TIME GREETINGS Here's a wish that's as old -fashioned as a Yuletide carol and that's every bit as sincere: Merry Christmas to all our friends and pet: COMPLIMENTS OF American Tobacco Company TAREYTON P* M PALL MALL ( Filter Tipped ) ii, ( , {Menthol 7,;- ability, and making resources available to the ghetto in ap propriate variety and volume "to be both effective and effi cient.” Go To Church Sunday t e/* J?X|| . iv /b ' j M May yours / ' be a Joyous / \ Christmas! / ) ’ 1 ; _ / -f ) ) 4 # m ! f 9 \ For God so loved the world, thm ■ < . i> i gotten Son, that whosoever btli< v. ■ n ot perish, but have everlasting lilt For God sent not his Son in* t ; . mn tile world, but that the world si oi. . ; he l saved. He that believeth on Him is not he i that believeth not is condemn- I , he j hath not believed in the name of tin , Son i of God. John Clmpti ■ .< -18 ! R. B. STOKES ! Concrete Contractor 6ive Kitchen Seasonal Decor Carry the holiday* c!.corativ/e mood through to the kitchen this year by changing die!) and drawer linings to a bright, cheerful color that matches the holiday mood. Marvalon adhesive covering, cut out in holly leaf or Chri tmas wreath designs also adds the color and look of the season to camusters.
The Carolinian (Raleigh, N.C.)
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Dec. 24, 1966, edition 1
18
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