I had a chance to interview Dr. Margarett Wilson who grew up in Mississippi during this troubled period. Now only did she overcome the challenges she succeeded to become one of the nation’s leading physicians. She has recounted this in her masterful book, Blackberry Memories.
Can you share a little bit about the challenges you faced growing up a woman and black in the segregated South?
The challenges of being a Black woman in the segregated south were many.
I grew up in a rural community and attended a one room school for the first three years. There were no indoor restroom facilities, no running water and the school was heated by a coal stove which students often had to make a fire before beginning school. Our few books were passed down from the Majority schools and often were full of graffiti, and missing pages. My school was segregated until 11th grade but there were no white students who came to our school and only one black student chose to go to the other high school. Because of the fact that that one black student was attending that high school, all social activities were discontinued during my senior year of High School in 1968. We were not allowed to have any dances, talent shows, or a prom. This was devastating to us because we had looked forward to these activities. Our courthouse in downtown Hernando had signs over water fountains and restrooms that clearly said “colored” Our local drug store would not allow black students to sit at the counter or tables to order sundries or eat food. We could not be seated or served at local restaurants. There were no doctors, nurses, attorneys or any other professional role models that were black and definitely not female in my town. These were just a few of the challenges faced by young black men, women or students. There were no job opportunities for youth in my area other than working in the cotton fields for two dollars a day until the late 60’s. In the south, college opportunities were mostly limited to HBCU’S since many of the other schools would not accept our applications . My book Blackberry Memories details many other challenges faced by a Black woman in the segregated south.
What did you learn by overcoming these challenges? I found that I was a strong person. Despite being strong, it was nearly impossible to overcome prejudice and oppression as a single individual. I did realize that even as a teenager, I always had to work harder, showcase my talents and abilities a little more than other groups. I was always preparing, always showing up on time and always ready to work, stepping forward to show what talents that I had. I learned very soon that I would not have anything” given to me”! If I wanted success that I would have to get up, work hard and get whatever it was for myself. On the other hand, I am grateful for those individuals who put their life on the line for racial equality and justice. People like Dr. King, James Meredith, Medgar Evers and many others who made our struggle a national struggle to improve the lives of people living in small communities that did not have the resources or strategies needed to bring equality to the forefront of the national discussion. There are still many challenges that we as a people struggle with daily.
Why did you write this book?
I wrote the book because I realized that there were many young people who want to be successful. Those who have the desire but could not see their way out of poverty or bondage of any form. I have younger siblings and relatives that have told me that I was an inspiration to them growing up and they went to college or sought out training because I had encouraged them to do so. This book was written to highlight the many ordinary people who intersected my life and taught me many “life” lessons such as being a mentor, being a good neighbor, showing compassion, stepping up to help others in distress and other positive inspirations. People like my college advisor who encouraged me to attend Medical School. The book is dedicated to my mother who in spite of having an 8th grade education was one of the smartest, most hardworking people that I have ever known.
This book was to be an inspiration to others that your Faith, Foundation and Favor can sustain you no matter what the situation.
What advice do you have to people who are still fighting for equality and recognition today?
My advice to people who are still fighting for equality and recognition today is “Stay the course”. Rev. Joseph Lowery, my pastor in the past and Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree in 2009, was always fighting and working towards equal rights for all people both in the USA and other countries. He was a minister and like Dr. King whom he worked closely with, was an advocate for non-violent social change. He worked with many Church and community groups to fulfill his vision and remove segregation in our schools, workplaces and community. Although noteworthy strides have been made in that arena, much more work remains to be done. People are still judged by the color of their skin and not their character. They are judged by hair style, given name and even how they talk.
It is important to understand that we are all humans with differences, yet we can strive to work together and support each other. We can support the idea of increased representation and inclusion of minorities in all aspects of our lives. If we can stay focused on attaining our goals and aspirations, then we can achieve our dreams. We can form alliances, join and support those organizations which advocate for freedom and encourage equality for all. We can support relationships that allow us to work together and recognize that change sometimes comes slowly. However, with perseverance we can accomplish the impossible.
I grew up in a rural community and attended a one room school for the first three years. There were no indoor restroom facilities, no running water and the school was heated by a coal stove which students often had to make a fire before beginning school. Our few books were passed down from the Majority schools and often were full of graffiti, and missing pages. My school was segregated until 11th grade but there were no white students who came to our school and only one black student chose to go to the other high school. Because of the fact that that one black student was attending that high school, all social activities were discontinued during my senior year of High School in 1968. We were not allowed to have any dances, talent shows, or a prom. This was devastating to us because we had looked forward to these activities. Our courthouse in downtown Hernando had signs over water fountains and restrooms that clearly said “colored” Our local drug store would not allow black students to sit at the counter or tables to order sundries or eat food. We could not be seated or served at local restaurants. There were no doctors, nurses, attorneys or any other professional role models that were black and definitely not female in my town. These were just a few of the challenges faced by young black men, women or students. There were no job opportunities for youth in my area other than working in the cotton fields for two dollars a day until the late 60’s. In the south, college opportunities were mostly limited to HBCU’S since many of the other schools would not accept our applications . My book Blackberry Memories details many other challenges faced by a Black woman in the segregated south.
What did you learn by overcoming these challenges? I found that I was a strong person. Despite being strong, it was nearly impossible to overcome prejudice and oppression as a single individual. I did realize that even as a teenager, I always had to work harder, showcase my talents and abilities a little more than other groups. I was always preparing, always showing up on time and always ready to work, stepping forward to show what talents that I had. I learned very soon that I would not have anything” given to me”! If I wanted success that I would have to get up, work hard and get whatever it was for myself. On the other hand, I am grateful for those individuals who put their life on the line for racial equality and justice. People like Dr. King, James Meredith, Medgar Evers and many others who made our struggle a national struggle to improve the lives of people living in small communities that did not have the resources or strategies needed to bring equality to the forefront of the national discussion. There are still many challenges that we as a people struggle with daily.
Why did you write this book?
I wrote the book because I realized that there were many young people who want to be successful. Those who have the desire but could not see their way out of poverty or bondage of any form. I have younger siblings and relatives that have told me that I was an inspiration to them growing up and they went to college or sought out training because I had encouraged them to do so. This book was written to highlight the many ordinary people who intersected my life and taught me many “life” lessons such as being a mentor, being a good neighbor, showing compassion, stepping up to help others in distress and other positive inspirations. People like my college advisor who encouraged me to attend Medical School. The book is dedicated to my mother who in spite of having an 8th grade education was one of the smartest, most hardworking people that I have ever known.
This book was to be an inspiration to others that your Faith, Foundation and Favor can sustain you no matter what the situation.
What advice do you have to people who are still fighting for equality and recognition today?
My advice to people who are still fighting for equality and recognition today is “Stay the course”. Rev. Joseph Lowery, my pastor in the past and Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree in 2009, was always fighting and working towards equal rights for all people both in the USA and other countries. He was a minister and like Dr. King whom he worked closely with, was an advocate for non-violent social change. He worked with many Church and community groups to fulfill his vision and remove segregation in our schools, workplaces and community. Although noteworthy strides have been made in that arena, much more work remains to be done. People are still judged by the color of their skin and not their character. They are judged by hair style, given name and even how they talk.
It is important to understand that we are all humans with differences, yet we can strive to work together and support each other. We can support the idea of increased representation and inclusion of minorities in all aspects of our lives. If we can stay focused on attaining our goals and aspirations, then we can achieve our dreams. We can form alliances, join and support those organizations which advocate for freedom and encourage equality for all. We can support relationships that allow us to work together and recognize that change sometimes comes slowly. However, with perseverance we can accomplish the impossible.
No comments:
Post a Comment