A 1960's Story

Ala's Story

    It was 1963 in Montgomery Alabama. I was getting dressed for my mothers community meeting. "Ala." My mother called. "Yes Mama?" I replied. She didn't answer. I got up from my chair and headed out the door with Mama following me. I got into the car thinking about what Mama could be talking about. I know that the whites here in Alabama really hate colored people so the fact that my Mama is joining a meeting full of whites, scares me. I mean I know that Mama got the job from a white man who loved her amazing speeches, but its really hard to believe that this man wants her for this job. "Ala. Let's go." Mama called interrupting my thoughts.  I got out the car and saw large groups of people yelling and arguing. The contraversy was becoming really intense as the virulent whites began shouting across the crowd. "Ala. Come this way." Mama whispered. She guided me to the far end of the crowd. "Stay here." She said as she walked away. I stood there as the crowd got louder and louder. I was so bored at this meeting. I have never attended something so boring in my life. When Mama finally came back I felt a shower of relief. "Mama. This meeting is so boring! I want to" I was interrupted by a tall white man. He violently grabbed my shirt.

   "What are you doing here negros?" The man said. "She's with me a-and s-shes my daughter. My mother stammered. " That's not what the hell I asked you." The man shouted. "Ok I work here with you guy in the writing group. And because, I write pretty good your boss has given me the opportunity to work here." Mama said. "Well I don't give a damn if he let you work here or not. Take your wretched child and leave!" He said while pushing me into the wall with extreme force. Mama took my hand and started to slowly walk towards our car. When we were able to see our car, it was completely covered in rotten tomatoes and eggs. Mama backed away and put me back in the corner. "What are you doing?" I whispered. "Hush." Mama demanded. I peeked around the corner to see where Mama was going. I saw her following the white man that had insulted me and Mama before. She had her hand balled in a fist and had tried to speak to him and the man who gave her the job. I really couldn't hear what they were saying so I decided to move through the crowd to hear what they were talking about. But before I could get at a safe distance to hear them, I saw the tall white man pull a gun out of his pocket and shot Mama. When he pulled that trigger, it was like he pulled the strings of my heart. I ran to towards Mama. "Mama!" I screamed. Everyone looked at me including the evil man that shot my Mama. "You might want to run little negro!" The evil man said. And without responding I gave Mama one last look and ran away.

     I ran until my nice Sunday shoes burned my feet. It began to rain. I turned around expecting the man and his friends to be chasing me. But they weren't  chasing me. Instead I was alone in some valley. I fell to the ground and sobbed. "What am I going to do?!" I shouted. Only God knows and with that he will guide me.