DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Virginia Harper NAACP Correspondence, 1971-1996 | 1971-05-13 Robert Anthony Williams to Miss Virginia Harper

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Virginia Harper NAACP Correspondence, 1971-1996

1971-05-13 Robert Anthony Williams to Miss Virginia Harper

5/13/71

To: Administrative Branch Secretary
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
720 7th Street
Fort Madison, Iowa %52627

Dear Miss Harper,

I am in receipt of your letter. Thank you for your several considerations. I don't know what impression you have of the last session, but that is a sample of what I contend with through my daily associations, and encounterances here day to day.

I don't like to call attention to my effort, but it does make me feel somewhat awkward inasmuch as I laid the foundation, and followed my ideology through and eventually we did at least acquire the Class, as well as a Human Relation Committee, where we had the entire Treatment Staff meeting with us to hear what ever the blacks had to say, and of course the complaints were few in number that could be sufficed.

I don't appreciate being referred to as stupid, especially when the one talking is granted an opportunity to do so at my own effort. I am sure you can appreciate where I am coming from.

Please forget my request for $25, and if you feel as others that I am trying to throw verbal stones at you, please change that very feeling this instant, for I can assure you i would and with rapidity tell you personally whatever I had to say to you, whether it was negative or positive. I am also affiliated with the church downtown, and most of the things I say about downtown, I am directing in that regard.

It is also the germ-filled thought of some that I am madly in love with you, and because of a lack of interest, or a lack of response, that I try to get back at you are make you feel bad at some of my misdirected statements, this is not the case either. You are a product of your environment, and your limitations are centered around that enviorment, and I am well aware of this, I am also expressly concerned about this, I am not saying that I am convinced that you have done all that you could, but I do suggest to myself, and my counterparts that in the scope of your ability at this time, you have done all that you can to encourage the attention of others who are suppose to be so concerned about the black in here, as well as other parts of Iowa, and in other regards, and that the responses is also atrributable to the people of Iowa, the black blindness that is so prevelent.

Again, thank you for all you have done, and I shall refrain from bothering ya with requests, and I assure you my attitude is one of the highest regard in reference to you and the ability, and the accomplishments that you have -- yes your special, for you are the first woman that I have been closely related to since 1968, you did write, and you have encouraged me, for this I am grateful. I hope and trust I have somewhat explained my position regardless to the importance you place upon my effort to do so, if I haven't.

God Bless You

[actual signature]
Robert Williams

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5/13/71 To: Administrative Branch Secretary National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 720 7th Street Fort Madison, Iowa %52627 Dear Miss Harper, I am in receipt of your letter. Thank you for your several considerations. I don't know what impression you have of the last session, but that is a sample of what I contend with through my daily associations, and encounterances here day to day. I don't like to call attention to my effort, but it does make me feel somewhat awkward inasmuch as I laid the foundation, and followed my ideology through and eventually we did at least acquire the Class, as well as a Human Relation Committee, where we had the entire Treatment Staff meeting with us to hear what ever the blacks had to say, and of course the complaints were few in number that could be sufficed. I don't appreciate being referred to as stupid, especially when the one talking is granted an opportunity to do so at my own effort. I am sure you can appreciate where I am coming from. Please forget my request for $25, and if you feel as others that I am trying to throw verbal stones at you, please change that very feeling this instant, for I can assure you i would and with rapidity tell you personally whatever I had to say to you, whether it was negative or positive. I am also affiliated with the church downtown, and most of the things I say about downtown, I am directing in that regard. It is also the germ-filled thought of some that I am madly in love with you, and because of a lack of interest, or a lack of response, that I try to get back at you are make you feel bad at some of my misdirected statements, this is not the case either. You are a product of your environment, and your limitations are centered around that enviorment, and I am well aware of this, I am also expressly concerned about this, I am not saying that I am convinced that you have done all that you could, but I do suggest to myself, and my counterparts that in the scope of your ability at this time, you have done all that you can to encourage the attention of others who are suppose to be so concerned about the black in here, as well as other parts of Iowa, and in other regards, and that the responses is also atrributable to the people of Iowa, the black blindness that is so prevelent. Again, thank you for all you have done, and I shall refrain from bothering ya with requests, and I assure you my attitude is one of the highest regard in reference to you and the ability, and the accomplishments that you have -- yes your special, for you are the first woman that I have been closely related to since 1968, you did write, and you have encouraged me, for this I am grateful. I hope and trust I have somewhat explained my position regardless to the importance you place upon my effort to do so, if I haven't. God Bless You [actual signature] Robert Williams