Betty Reid Soskin

But I got out, parked my car, walked into the principal's office down the hall. He was out on the playground, I suppose. But his costume was hanging over the doorway. Big blousey black pants, a white shirt. I suppose it was a bandana tie with red polka dots. A kinky wig was on his desk. I sat and wondered what I would say. And suddenly, there he was, coming down the hallway.

But I got out, parked my car, walked into the principal's office down the hall. He was out on the playground, I suppose. But his costume was hanging over the doorway. Big blousey black pants, a white shirt. I suppose it was a bandana tie with red polka dots. A kinky wig was on his desk. I sat and wondered what I would say. And suddenly, there he was, coming down the hallway.

And as he caught sight of me, he turned on his heel to walk away. And to his credit, he turned back after about five feet. And he came into the office. He proceeded. And then the words began to flow. And I said, you know this is wrong. And there was a pause, and then he said, but not until I saw you there. But I don't know why. It was very clear that he really didn't know why.

And as he caught sight of me, he turned on his heel to walk away. And to his credit, he turned back after about five feet. And he came into the office. He proceeded. And then the words began to flow. And I said, you know this is wrong. And there was a pause, and then he said, but not until I saw you there. But I don't know why. It was very clear that he really didn't know why.

And as he caught sight of me, he turned on his heel to walk away. And to his credit, he turned back after about five feet. And he came into the office. He proceeded. And then the words began to flow. And I said, you know this is wrong. And there was a pause, and then he said, but not until I saw you there. But I don't know why. It was very clear that he really didn't know why.

Then he said, you know, Mrs. Reed, We love colored people. In fact, we are only showing how happy-go-lucky they are. And I said, but do I look happy-go-lucky? And he said, no. And I could see the pain in his face. And suddenly the words began to flow and I said, you cannot do this because as educators, as educators, you have no right. But I'll tell you what, it's too late now.

Then he said, you know, Mrs. Reed, We love colored people. In fact, we are only showing how happy-go-lucky they are. And I said, but do I look happy-go-lucky? And he said, no. And I could see the pain in his face. And suddenly the words began to flow and I said, you cannot do this because as educators, as educators, you have no right. But I'll tell you what, it's too late now.

Then he said, you know, Mrs. Reed, We love colored people. In fact, we are only showing how happy-go-lucky they are. And I said, but do I look happy-go-lucky? And he said, no. And I could see the pain in his face. And suddenly the words began to flow and I said, you cannot do this because as educators, as educators, you have no right. But I'll tell you what, it's too late now.

Your show is only 24 hours away. And I will insist that tonight at your dress rehearsal, you Explain my visit to your staff. Tell them what I've told you. And I said, and I will be in the audience tomorrow evening. I went home. Next day, Bessie Gilbert and I went over early. Sat front row center. and made them perform the entire ugly show in our presence with tears streaming.

Your show is only 24 hours away. And I will insist that tonight at your dress rehearsal, you Explain my visit to your staff. Tell them what I've told you. And I said, and I will be in the audience tomorrow evening. I went home. Next day, Bessie Gilbert and I went over early. Sat front row center. and made them perform the entire ugly show in our presence with tears streaming.

Your show is only 24 hours away. And I will insist that tonight at your dress rehearsal, you Explain my visit to your staff. Tell them what I've told you. And I said, and I will be in the audience tomorrow evening. I went home. Next day, Bessie Gilbert and I went over early. Sat front row center. and made them perform the entire ugly show in our presence with tears streaming.

It was a miserable evening. I'm not sure what we accomplished. I've never known. But I do know that that was when I came into my being as a resident of that community. And I don't know what we accomplished because within a week, at Sam's Market, there was a poster announcing the Aunt Jemima pancake feed coming up within three weeks. Thank you very much.

It was a miserable evening. I'm not sure what we accomplished. I've never known. But I do know that that was when I came into my being as a resident of that community. And I don't know what we accomplished because within a week, at Sam's Market, there was a poster announcing the Aunt Jemima pancake feed coming up within three weeks. Thank you very much.

It was a miserable evening. I'm not sure what we accomplished. I've never known. But I do know that that was when I came into my being as a resident of that community. And I don't know what we accomplished because within a week, at Sam's Market, there was a poster announcing the Aunt Jemima pancake feed coming up within three weeks. Thank you very much.