Читать книгу The Evolution of Crimson - Jerry Aldridge - Страница 20

September 22, 1963

On Sunday, September 22nd, Winifred went to her cousin Helen’s home in Alberta City for lunch. Helen had cooked a country dinner using some of Nana Mims’ recipes and Winifred was glad to have a home cooked meal. At 4:00 pm Helen dropped Winifred back at the dorm. When Winifred arrived in her room she expected to find Angie studying, but Angie was not there. Winifred lay down on her bed for a few minutes to relax. She looked over at Angie’s desk and saw The New York Times. Angie had told her that her mother sent her the New York papers from time to time so she could see what was happening at home. The paper was open to an article about the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church. Winifred picked up the paper and began to read the article.

“Oh my God! I can’t believe four innocent young girls were killed,” thought Winifred. She remembered Matty’s horrific remarks about the bombing, but that was the last time Winifred had thought about it. She read the names of the children carefully…“Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carol Robertson, and Carol Denise McNair.” A dark sadness came over Winifred as she thought about the children and their grieving families.

At that moment, Angie walked in and saw Winifred reading The New York Times.

“I hope you don’t mind Angie. I saw this article on your desk and I had to read it,” explained Winifred.

“Not at all,” replied Angie. “My mom sent me the paper and I was horrified by the bombing details.”

“How could anyone bomb innocent children in a church, of all places?” asked Winifred.

“I felt the same way. I’m just sorry more students are not talking about it. And, those who do, like Matty, seem so insensitive to what is happening. The apathy on this campus is really beginning to bother me.”

Winifred wondered if Angie was referring to her when she used the word “apathy”. Winifred had not kept up with what was going on in the Civil Rights movement—not even in her home town. She always thought it was not about her. It did not concern her. And, it seemed her mother and grandparents had intentionally tried to keep her from being informed. Oh they’d talked about Civil Rights a lot, but when Winifred came in the room, they changed the subject. What was this all about? Winifred decided it was time to find out.