Thursday, November 6, 2008

History in the Making

This post was sent to me in the form of an email from my aunt, who grew up in Jim Crow Alabama.


TODAY, I CAST A HISTORIC VOTE!

I received a text messages this morning that said "the hands that picked cotton, will be the hands that choose a president". I was overcome with emotion for my hands picked cotton, and my hands will choose a president.

I, a former sharecropper from Alabama! I, who farmed with 11 brothers and sisters. I, who came to Louisville to escape being told in no uncertain terms what to do and when to do it. I, who dreamed of a better life for my children! I, a person who sat in the back of the bus with my mom because we could not sit up front. I, who went to a two room elementary school house! I, who rode the segregated school bus to the segregated school in the city passing many schools that were in walking distance. I, who dreamed of education, only from the newspaper ads that were wrapped in the things mom brought home after working at the owners home. I, who could not enter the owners' home through the front door-even to work. I, who could not get water when I was thirsty because I had to drink from the "Colored fountainI". I, who was told by the owner of our place, that if I left, the only job I could find would be working in someones kitchen. I, whose brother borrowed $25 so I could ride a train to Louisville alone at 16 years of age.

I, who stand on the shoulders of so many who came before me, cast a historic vote today! This vote was cast for my mother-Mae Willie, my grandmother- Mollie, my great-grandmother- Classie, and the many who never dared to dream of this day.

TODAY, I CAST A HISTORIC VOTE!

Carrie Peterson