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NAACP newsletters, Fort Madison Branch, Fort Madison, Iowa, 1970

Page 003

- 3 -

learn this lesson. But he learned it well. You should act on his advice and experience and don't take advantage of this noble civil rights revolution to satisfy a beastly, criminal impulse. Too often this impulse wipes out life of the victim and the freedom of the victor and the fortune of the criminal's good family.
Black boy, do you want to make this glorious revolution a noble success? Follow the examples of Dr. Ralph Abernathy. Do you want the news of your death to sadden the world because of the good you have done? Follow the late and beloved Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Do you want to live a fruitful and creative life? Follow and support the non-violent efforts of Jesse Jackson; for if you curse the darkness at midnight that won't make day break. That will just be some more childish antics, trying to glorify youth by merely jawboning while acting like fiends."

from...STANZAS ON FREEDOM, by James Russel Lowell

"...Is true Freedom but to break
Fetters for our own dear sake,
And with leathern hearts forget
That we owe mankind a debt?
No! true Freedom is to share
All the chains our brothers wear,
And with heart and hands to be
Earnest to make others free!

They are slaves who fear to speak
For the fallen and the weak;
They are slaves who will not choose
Hatred, scoffing and abuse,
Rather than in silence shrink
From the truth they needs must think;
They are slaves who dare not be
In the right with two or three."

It is very important, for all of us to weigh carefully, the future direction of the Fort Madison Branch of the NAACP. There is much more work to be done, and certainly, the work should be shared by the membership, yet, on the other hand,...if one were to wait from some of the members to take positive action, as a working Branch member,...we would really be lost. At the same time, every organization is only as strong as its weakest member,...just like a chain. The meeting which will be held this coming Sunday, will show those who are elected to the committee which will bring in a slate for the next two years, just where they whould go. It will also give those to whom they will speak, an insight into what lies ahead, for them, if they should choose to accept a position as a branch officer. Working in the field of civil rights has never led anyone down the path of glory. Really working...means you are leaving yourself wide open from criticism, both by fellow members and outsiders...but anything worth having is worth working for, and no man in this country can be assured that his rights are guaranteed, until all men are!!! What happens, from now on in, is up to each and every one of us. It is actually too late...for all of the obsolete and challenging rhetoric...the time has come when positive action with constructive programs, is a must!!! Like it or not...your stake in this fight is as great as mine,...be you Black or White.

REGISTER TO VOTE...NOW!!!

University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa Women's Archives

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- 3 - learn this lesson. But he learned it well. You should act on his advice and experience and don't take advantage of this noble civil rights revolution to satisfy a beastly, criminal impulse. Too often this impulse wipes out life of the victim and the freedom of the victor and the fortune of the criminal's good family. Black boy, do you want to make this glorious revolution a noble success? Follow the examples of Dr. Ralph Abernathy. Do you want the news of your death to sadden the world because of the good you have done? Follow the late and beloved Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Do you want to live a fruitful and creative life? Follow and support the non-violent efforts of Jesse Jackson; for if you curse the darkness at midnight that won't make day break. That will just be some more childish antics, trying to glorify youth by merely jawboning while acting like fiends." from...STANZAS ON FREEDOM, by James Russel Lowell "...Is true Freedom but to break Fetters for our own dear sake, And with leathern hearts forget That we owe mankind a debt? No! true Freedom is to share All the chains our brothers wear, And with heart and hands to be Earnest to make others free! They are slaves who fear to speak For the fallen and the weak; They are slaves who will not choose Hatred, scoffing and abuse, Rather than in silence shrink From the truth they needs must think; They are slaves who dare not be In the right with two or three." It is very important, for all of us to weigh carefully, the future direction of the Fort Madison Branch of the NAACP. There is much more work to be done, and certainly, the work should be shared by the membership, yet, on the other hand,...if one were to wait from some of the members to take positive action, as a working Branch member,...we would really be lost. At the same time, every organization is only as strong as its weakest member,...just like a chain. The meeting which will be held this coming Sunday, will show those who are elected to the committee which will bring in a slate for the next two years, just where they whould go. It will also give those to whom they will speak, an insight into what lies ahead, for them, if they should choose to accept a position as a branch officer. Working in the field of civil rights has never led anyone down the path of glory. Really working...means you are leaving yourself wide open from criticism, both by fellow members and outsiders...but anything worth having is worth working for, and no man in this country can be assured that his rights are guaranteed, until all men are!!! What happens, from now on in, is up to each and every one of us. It is actually too late...for all of the obsolete and challenging rhetoric...the time has come when positive action with constructive programs, is a must!!! Like it or not...your stake in this fight is as great as mine,...be you Black or White. REGISTER TO VOTE...NOW!!! University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa Women's Archives