I joined the youth branch of the NAACP in 1960 under the leadership of MS. field director, Medgar Evers. I was in his home a few days before he was murdered in his driveway. I was among a group of youthful civil rights advocates sent out to test the early waters of non-violent activism in Meridian/Jackson, MS. Later, I joined CORE/COFO during the MS Freedom Summer project. I was recruited by Michael Schwerner and his wife Rita while I was in high school. In Meridian, MS., I worked in the CORE/COFO office and Freedom School. I taught literacy; sewing. I participated in various protest marches and voter registration campaigns throughout rural MS. I worked with Michael Schwerner and James Chaney in the MS summer project which registered thousands of Black Citizens in MS. These freedom ballots that we collected served as a protest vehicle during the 1964 Democratic convention held in Atlantic City, NJ.
James Chaney ("JE"), Michael Schwerner (Mickey), and Andrew Goodman (Andy) visited my home before going to Neshoba County to investigate the burning of a church near Philadelphia, MS. The church had been designated as a voter registration site. I did not know at the time, but this would be the last day of thier lives. I do recall that on this particular morning, I lost an argument with Mickey who refused to let me accompany them on this particular "mission". Mickey convinced me that my services were needed in the COFO office to man the telephones.
I also remember how they spent their time waiting to keep their hair cut appointments with my brother: (the barber for all hair types). JE was teasing me as usual, and asking me to lend him money that he knew that I didn't have. Andy semmed kind of shy initially but became very passionate as we exchanged ideas about the declaration of independence Mickey (the agnostic) convincingly begun to mimic a southern Baptist preacher with a gospel message befitting any Sunday morning sermon. A sermon complete with yeah's and amen's (call and response). Wow!, We were having so much fun that morning. My father was almost late for work. He said, "I just hate to leave, feels like I am not going to miss church today". My father's encouragement gave Mickey the edge to continue more fervently into his soliloquu.
I recall how we ate pre-dinner cupcakes and fried chicken for breakfast. I can still remember their faces filled with so much determination, resolve, yet, somehow distant from me that morning. ///
I saw them leave my street in that station wagon. I ran after them trying to catch them before they rolled around the corner. "Hey!, "Look, I have a new batch of chicken and cupcakes for you to take with you". I didn't reach them in time.
I often wondered if they had enough to eat I am still haunted with: "What if I had won my argument with Mickey that morning of June 21, 1964?"
I have held public office in NY, worked professionally as a teacher, social worker, artist and actress. Currently writing a play about my civil rights experiences and spiritual influences. I can be contacted via email address for speaking engagements.
Copyright © Bernice Sims, January 2010.
Copyright © 2004-2007
Last Modified: February 8, 2007.
Webspinner: webspinner@crmvet.org
(Labor donated)