Susan K. Schmidt,
Oklahoma City, OK.
It was the mid 50’s in Miami, Florida. It was the time of “white only” and “black only” water fountains and bathrooms. I was 6 or 7 years old and riding in the back of the family car with my Grandmother, who was raised in Savannah, Georgia. We passed a black woman standing at the curb, possibly waiting for a bus. She was wearing a mid-length ordinary dress, possibly a cleaning woman, likely waiting to get home after a hard day’s work. I said something about “that lady” and my grandmother corrected me, “that’s no lady.” I didn’t say anything but wondered how my grandmother would know the woman was no lady without having met her. I figured it must have to do with her clothing; a lady must be like a princess and have to wear a long glittery gown. So that evening I asked my mother if a lady has to wear long gowns. When I got the answer “no” I knew immediately my grandmother was wrong.
Comments are closed.