Speaker 1:
Five or six years ago. I can go on telling different things, what had happened [inaudible 00:00:17]. I'm at it for hours and hours, but this [inaudible 00:00:24] one or two things [inaudible 00:00:25] making mention of. I was at a little place they call [inaudible 00:00:30] about eight miles from here in '61. [inaudible 00:00:37] and [inaudible 00:00:48]. Not after the [inaudible 00:00:54] and were [inaudible 00:00:59] laid on a piece of place board right at the [inaudible 00:01:12]. Then that his belongings were for sale ten cents per pound.Now these things don't seem true, but that's after the [inaudible 00:01:24] thing that goes on Mississippi. I thank you, thank you.
Mimi Feingold:
These are excerpts from a speech by Smiley Proff, P-R-O-F-F, from Liberty, Mississippi, at a mass meeting in January, 1966. This was taped by Mr. E.W. Steptoe.
Smiley Proff:
[inaudible 00:02:06] consideration. And [inaudible 00:02:12] and come to these people, and [inaudible 00:02:13]. And when he [inaudible 00:02:13] let's try to observe it and put it to use. You're even scared to go there [inaudible 00:02:26] they're scared to go there.
Speaker 4:
That's right.
Proff:
[inaudible 00:02:32] that these people come down here for this [inaudible 00:02:37]. You really never have had this opportunity before [inaudible 00:02:42] let's come to these meetings, and you have to come into these meetings [inaudible 00:02:47] go ahead. You can't [inaudible 00:02:47] United States citizen until you do.
Speaker 4:
That's right.
Proff:
You're not counted as a United States citizen by the Constitution [inaudible 00:02:47] Constitution is made up by them. We didn't make it up [inaudible 00:02:47] and then [inaudible 00:02:47] do we?
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 00:02:47].
Proff:
And that's what you got to try to [inaudible 00:02:48] and your citizens here. And if you don't worry about it, stay home and [inaudible 00:02:48]. That's very good. [inaudible 00:02:48]. Do you [inaudible 00:03:50] and you know, be able to [inaudible 00:03:51] and leave it all? [inaudible 00:03:58] about the war in Vietnam, okay.Now we are having a war in Vietnam [inaudible 00:04:04].
Speaker 4:
That's right.
Proff:
[inaudible 00:04:07] just as bad as they do in Vietnam.
Speaker 4:
That's right. [inaudible 00:04:15].
Proff:
We are fighting for our freedom right here in America, and we've got soldiers in Vietnam [inaudible 00:04:25] fighting for the same thing, and that's... You know [inaudible 00:04:29] don't make sense [inaudible 00:04:33] be in Vietnam. We got people in Vietnam dying in Vietnam, and we [inaudible 00:04:40] and we are down.
Speaker 4:
Yeah.
Proff:
[inaudible 00:04:44] been down for years. [inaudible 00:04:49] our own people [inaudible 00:04:50] killing, because they want our freedom. And that's [inaudible 00:04:59] that's why [inaudible 00:05:01] leader. Now you [inaudible 00:05:06].
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 00:05:10].
Proff:
But you're dying because you want to be a citizen. [inaudible 00:05:25] and let me tell you, do you know who would be [inaudible 00:05:27] of citizens here in these, even in this town, because they wanted to be citizens. They wanted their freedom. They were killed because they wanted to be free too.
Speaker 4:
That's right.
Proff:
Right here in America. But we got to solve that. Old people who did this, what have they accomplished? What have they accomplished? They haven't accomplished [inaudible 00:06:10] but you people who've been [inaudible 00:06:12] what have you accomplished? Can you see the [inaudible 00:06:12]? Did you ever [inaudible 00:06:13] like they did?You know, and have to fight like they did, and have to murder like they did. You wouldn't accomplish anything. You wouldn't have been where you are tonight. I think every person in this building, because I know [inaudible 00:06:49] every person here, every person here is a registered voter.
But you have to [inaudible 00:06:49] you see, and learn how to fight, defend your rights, you wouldn't have been a registered voter tonight. But still got the chance [inaudible 00:07:04] in America, you see. But still on the other hand, we can send troops in Vietnam, we can send [inaudible 00:07:24] down there [inaudible 00:07:24] but we can't defend America, our home front.
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:07:29].
Proff:
Now we [inaudible 00:07:34] to go up, you know, pay the [inaudible 00:07:37] tax.
Speaker 4:
Yeah.
Proff:
So they'll be able to vote in this coming election, which will be [inaudible 00:08:03]. Now why, the reason they're doing this [inaudible 00:08:03] but we don't [inaudible 00:08:03] what's going to be the outcome for this election. We don't know what, whether it will be [inaudible 00:08:10] for this coming election. [inaudible 00:08:14] they don't have, you know [inaudible 00:08:14] that it will be a [inaudible 00:08:14] you go up, you know, you get the [inaudible 00:08:16].And don't be afraid. [inaudible 00:08:38] I mean [inaudible 00:08:41] in Vietnam, you have got to go down where you want to go. You don't want [inaudible 00:09:07] go right ahead [inaudible 00:09:07].
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:09:07].
Proff:
But now we're asking you to go up [inaudible 00:09:07] say anything to you because you want to be a citizen. You're not going to do [inaudible 00:09:08] we defend the South Vietnam because they want to be citizens [inaudible 00:09:13]. They want to be recognized as people. Although we [inaudible 00:09:18] our own country, you know [inaudible 00:09:20] down there doing this.The reason [inaudible 00:09:24] a hundred years [inaudible 00:09:25] a hundred years. [inaudible 00:09:25] 80 years, 85 years, 60 years ago [inaudible 00:09:33] you were able to cast your vote. But what happened? You know. [inaudible 00:09:45]. At that time, my parents, and my grandparents, and your grandparents were ready to vote, but they were what? They are [inaudible 00:09:58] you know, they cast their vote [inaudible 00:10:00] when they [inaudible 00:10:00] didn't have [inaudible 00:10:00] that they did. [inaudible 00:10:00].
But today, they do have [inaudible 00:10:00] I mean, to stand up and know how, and know what steps to take to hold that. [inaudible 00:10:00] important that you hold what you get, as it is to get. Understand, it doesn't make sense to get anything if you're not going to hold it. [inaudible 00:10:00] in the cold. They were [inaudible 00:10:00] wanted to cast their vote.
They were [inaudible 00:10:00] you know, [inaudible 00:10:00]. This was 88 years, 87 years ago. They were [inaudible 00:11:06] the poll. They went out of their homes and forgot about it. They didn't try to recoup themselves. They didn't pick up arms, you know, and go out [inaudible 00:11:19] like that. [inaudible 00:11:21] like that, and forgot about it.
Okay, but today [inaudible 00:11:28] we are the new neighbor.
Speaker 4:
That's right.
Proff:
And [inaudible 00:11:38] our parents didn't have the chance, the opportunity [inaudible 00:11:42] you know, [inaudible 00:11:44] stepping up [inaudible 00:11:46] and getting new shoes [inaudible 00:11:08]. But if you [inaudible 00:11:08] '65, during '65, you had the chance to step up [inaudible 00:11:08] beginning of '65, there wasn't a person in this building who wasn't ready to vote.
Speaker 5:
Right.
Proff:
But today, every person in here [inaudible 00:12:13] because they're ready to vote. Now that's your first step. Now this is a new year [inaudible 00:12:23] '65. This is a new year in '66, okay, and you're supposed to change shoes, see, again.
Speaker 4:
That's right.
Proff:
Step up another step.
Speaker 5:
Right, right.
Proff:
And you have lots in store [inaudible 00:12:40] if you keep stepping up. But if you [inaudible 00:12:44] a step, step up. You know, you're going to get it. It's up to you people, up to us, to make these steps. Every time you step up and accomplish something, you preserve that. You know what I mean by preserve? You hold to that [inaudible 00:13:09] that.Now we know we have a lot of people [inaudible 00:13:18] ready, and it's our [inaudible 00:13:26] to go to these people, and get them to get their name on the registered vote. And we had lots of people [inaudible 00:13:38] this year [inaudible 00:13:43] ask these people to go out and do this. [inaudible 00:13:52] ever a time that you need more people, I mean the civilized negro, because you know we have Negroes that are not civilized.
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:13:59].
Proff:
Now what I'm saying about the negro not civil... Uncivilized [inaudible 00:14:03] negro.
Speaker 5:
That's right.
Proff:
Now I think [inaudible 00:14:12] of any negro [inaudible 00:14:14] you know, sit down and get your [inaudible 00:14:18].
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 00:14:19].
Proff:
And carry that, and give it to [inaudible 00:14:23] not so much [inaudible 00:14:26] he can then give it to [inaudible 00:14:31].
Speaker 4:
That's right.
Proff:
Better that he give it to Miami.
Speaker 4:
That's right.
Proff:
Now you know, that's [inaudible 00:14:43] negro, when they do these types of things.
Speaker 4:
That's right.
Proff:
Although we have. You know [inaudible 00:14:58] scared to tell him what's what. [inaudible 00:14:58] it's not so much that he [inaudible 00:14:58] not so much that he can hurt you [inaudible 00:15:12] but in the way of doing, you see, that way he can hurt you. He can be cornered by the other people to some position that he can hold, that you can do [inaudible 00:15:28] at home.
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:15:29].
Proff:
[inaudible 00:15:31] in this town. We have [inaudible 00:15:31] FHA. We have it on the [inaudible 00:15:38]. Now that's [inaudible 00:15:45] these type of [inaudible 00:15:47] can do their most harm to you.
Speaker 4:
That's right.
Proff:
They can keep you down by doing that. Now [inaudible 00:16:01] you to your faith, and probably won't talk [inaudible 00:16:08] they're not going to make it important to you. But you know what they're going to do to you, what they're going to do is encourage you, you see, and show you the place where if you wasn't trying to be a free person, you would get this or you would get that.But that's not the story. Regardless of what he shows you, and tells you that you're not going to get, the thing you do, you just watch him and see, what does he get [inaudible 00:16:44].
Speaker 5:
Yes [inaudible 00:16:44].
Proff:
Now these are the [inaudible 00:16:45] don't have a solid foundation they're standing on, but you try to work to where you have a solid foundation, because once when you get up, and when you get the ballot in your hand throughout [inaudible 00:17:11] move this [inaudible 00:17:13] you see? [inaudible 00:17:23] not standing on solid ground.[inaudible 00:17:30] you know, not... Even though [inaudible 00:17:30] are standing on solid ground [inaudible 00:17:32] the prayer. You are standing on ground that's not solid, standing on ground. Now we're going to stand on ground that's solid, when you get the ballot in your hand [inaudible 00:18:03] cast your vote, then you have some person that you're going to [inaudible 00:18:03].
In order to get your ballot, your vote, he's going to come to you [inaudible 00:18:07]. But now [inaudible 00:18:12]. The third thing, like about how you've been treated. The third thing you think about, how many of your friends, how many of your [inaudible 00:18:31] have been killed. [inaudible 00:18:37] come a time [inaudible 00:18:38] we're going to start, hoping that they're going to learn to stop.
Speaker 5:
Amen.
Proff:
[inaudible 00:18:43] and throwing our hands up [inaudible 00:18:46].
Speaker 5:
All right.
Proff:
It's time for us to stand up and let these people know what they want, and tell them what they want.
Speaker 5:
Yes [inaudible 00:18:54].
Proff:
We don't want no person representing us who has [inaudible 00:18:57] these type of violence, because it don't [inaudible 00:18:58] no good. And they will do the same thing again. [inaudible 00:19:19] negro, step up, and make another step. This is [inaudible 00:19:29] was 65, and this is 66. Now we're supposed to step up [inaudible 00:19:39] we are in '66. We're supposed to move up another step. We're supposed to pull off '65 shoes, and get on, put on some '66 shoes, and make another step. And during this, you may think that you may [inaudible 00:20:11] you think that now. You [inaudible 00:20:11] white people. But the more you do so yourself, the more you stand up for yourself, the better respect you will get from them.
Speaker 5:
Amen.
Proff:
Now we have [inaudible 00:20:39] they know that they are the [inaudible 00:20:40]. But deep in their heart, they're saying, that's [inaudible 00:20:50] negro. [inaudible 00:20:53] his own people.
Speaker 4:
That's right.
Proff:
And he knows [inaudible 00:20:54].
Speaker 4:
That's right, that's right.
Speaker 5:
Yes.
Proff:
[inaudible 00:21:01] this person [inaudible 00:21:04]. You know, when [inaudible 00:21:07] when the ball gets rolling. Now it's no [inaudible 00:21:10] it's no question about it, it's going to roll.
Speaker 5:
Amen.
Proff:
[inaudible 00:21:15] get rolling, you see, now more of this person's going to go [inaudible 00:21:18] you. Now these other people aren't to going to recognize it because they know you're not [inaudible 00:21:27]. They know you're not to trust them.
Speaker 5:
That's right.
Proff:
Now he had no place to go [inaudible 00:21:36] tell you some things [inaudible 00:21:38] I want to make mention of before I forget it. Okay. Now you know [inaudible 00:21:45] meeting, you know, the [inaudible 00:21:48] it's like that, you know [inaudible 00:21:50] I got to do this.
Speaker 5:
That's right.
Proff:
Now we had a [inaudible 00:21:54] that this meeting was supposed to have been [inaudible 00:21:57]. And I know I had lots of people [inaudible 00:22:06] in Jackson [inaudible 00:22:08] said she wanted it in her time. But since that time, they got a call, and they want you to know. Otherwise they said that [inaudible 00:22:15] in this time. I don't know what happened.And [inaudible 00:22:16] we're going to [inaudible 00:22:16] we're going to hold this district meeting, did we want it here, could we hold it here. That's [inaudible 00:22:16] we were holding it... I mean the next district meeting would be Sunday. [inaudible 00:22:16] Sunday, that's the 3rd. We're going to hold it in [inaudible 00:22:16] time.
Now [inaudible 00:23:02] question and talk about this meeting, they look at Jackson [inaudible 00:23:12] know, could we hold it [inaudible 00:23:15] because [inaudible 00:23:16] people in Jackson, and Vicksburg, they know [inaudible 00:23:23] church here, and they said that that would be overall convenient for them because they know [inaudible 00:23:34].
I tried to explain [inaudible 00:23:36] but they... It seemed like they'd rather it'd be [inaudible 00:23:40] the different meetings there. And now this is [inaudible 00:23:51] you know, any change being made, it's going to come from Jackson. [inaudible 00:23:55] come from Jackson. And the meeting would be held in Mt. [inaudible 00:24:01] Church next time.
[inaudible 00:24:07] people to come out, you want [inaudible 00:24:09] to be there. Now this is the type of meeting we've never been in before.
Speaker 4:
Yeah [inaudible 00:24:12].
Proff:
That's why I'm saying that we pull off our '65 shoes, and put on our '66 shoes, you know, and step up ourselves. Now this is a type of meeting you've never been in before. Never been held in this kind before.
Speaker 5:
Amen.
Proff:
You will have a chance to elect [inaudible 00:24:43]. Otherwise we have [inaudible 00:24:44] we have to elect our candidate, Phil Conroy. Now he will be coming down Sunday to talk to you people [inaudible 00:24:58] people, you know, and expecting you to support. Now we don't want this to come out like [inaudible 00:25:12].
Speaker 5:
Amen, amen.
Proff:
All right, this comes out like [inaudible 00:25:24] we had people [inaudible 00:25:28] go for the other people, and then we're going to go for [inaudible 00:25:32]. And this come out [inaudible 00:25:36] I don't know. They elected [inaudible 00:25:42] and [inaudible 00:25:46]. Now if it's just so far, and just so much we can do.
Speaker 5:
Amen.
Proff:
And it's [inaudible 00:25:55] the kind of people to do the rest. [inaudible 00:26:00] catch my goal, but you've got to catch your goal.
Speaker 5:
That's right.
Proff:
And if you don't catch it in the right direction, you will defeat your own self.
Speaker 5:
And what time you said [inaudible 00:26:27]?
Proff:
11:00. It'll be in the [inaudible 00:26:27] 11:00. Now we want one or two people to have [inaudible 00:26:28] or something to say. Young people, you know, old people, it would be very nice if old people would have something to say, because it's quite natural, you know, it's natural for young people to take pride and take hold, but the old people, you know...And we don't have no old people [inaudible 00:26:46] you know what I mean, this time. What'd you call it [inaudible 00:26:49] oldest people in the house. I have something to say. [inaudible 00:26:58] you all [inaudible 00:26:59] and this is not a [inaudible 00:27:03] meeting. This is [inaudible 00:27:07] that's coming together [inaudible 00:27:08] meeting. It's the district meeting.
[inaudible 00:27:08] coming together. You have people from Jackson, Vicksburg, Nashville, all these places, you see. And anybody that has any question [inaudible 00:27:29] before I leave that, about this meeting, or what [inaudible 00:27:36]. Reverend King, Ed King, who we made [inaudible 00:27:43] our representative. Now he is a white person. He was born and raised in Mississippi. [inaudible 00:27:59].
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:28:01].
Proff:
I know it's not [inaudible 00:28:35] you. But let me say that, okay... Excuse me. [inaudible 00:28:38] out of the whole field, you know, Mississippi has [inaudible 00:28:38] and he is the only person, every time. Only white person [inaudible 00:28:39] that has showed himself, has proved himself, just like [inaudible 00:28:39].He went to [inaudible 00:28:39] he was a delegate in that [inaudible 00:28:41] and I just... I put my trust in him just like I would myself or any of you all. And you [inaudible 00:28:56] me, you don't have to worry about him [inaudible 00:28:58] or you don't have to worry about him [inaudible 00:29:04] shooting you in the back or something like that. He's [inaudible 00:29:08].
I have said... Are there any questions on this meeting, convention meeting? If not, there was somebody that had some [inaudible 00:29:32] about this convention [inaudible 00:29:35].
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:29:40] everybody just want to join.
Proff:
Now that's very good, and we do want you to [inaudible 00:30:00]. That means [inaudible 00:30:00] I got on my traveling shoes, you know. We want [inaudible 00:30:01] make another step. You may want [inaudible 00:30:04] greatest step of all, is as great of all, but you do have some more important step that you must make before you can reach your goal.Now we have a goal, as you know, we're going to. Regardless whether you go or whether you fall out, we're going. And we're determined to reach this goal, and we must reach it. And if you planned it, the goal, like you plan to reach this goal, let's continue on even as you are [inaudible 00:30:43]. Now I told about the meeting in Mt. [inaudible 00:30:43] and I don't know whether that's... I had something else on my mind [inaudible 00:30:43].
And I can't think right now what it is. Now...
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 00:30:43]. I think [inaudible 00:31:58] stop, and I think [inaudible 00:32:10].
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:32:16].
Proff:
All right, all right.
Speaker 4:
I'm thinking we're doing fine.
Proff:
All right.
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 00:32:22] I think we're doing good.
Speaker 5:
There it is, we're good.
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 00:32:34] and they go [inaudible 00:32:38] our people, they [inaudible 00:32:39] teach you [inaudible 00:32:42] the people, these people would rather [inaudible 00:32:45] regular people.
Proff:
Right.
Speaker 4:
But we want to get these people [inaudible 00:32:50].
Proff:
That's right.
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 00:32:53]. See, that's because [inaudible 00:32:55].
Proff:
That's right.
Speaker 4:
Vote for a white man. He didn't know. He just didn't know [inaudible 00:33:04].
Proff:
That's right.
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 00:33:10].
Proff:
That's right. Yeah, all right.
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 00:33:19] told me [inaudible 00:33:29] talk with [inaudible 00:33:31] my friend. You [inaudible 00:33:34] do it, I [inaudible 00:33:35] you'll be there in the morning. We're going to get our [inaudible 00:33:38] everything we [inaudible 00:33:48].
Speaker 5:
Amen.
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 00:33:51]. So I would [inaudible 00:33:55] whatever they tell me [inaudible 00:33:56] tell me [inaudible 00:33:57].
Proff:
That's right.
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 00:33:59].
Proff:
That's right.
Speaker 4:
We went in there, and so those white folks, you know, they know my name, you know? They know I'm [inaudible 00:34:17].
Proff:
That's all right, that's all right.
Speaker 4:
Yeah [inaudible 00:34:24].
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:34:26].
Proff:
Yeah.
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 00:34:29] they treat me nice.
Proff:
Right.
Speaker 4:
Yeah, they treat me nice. [inaudible 00:34:34] those white folk [inaudible 00:34:38].
Proff:
That's right.
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 00:34:45].
Proff:
That's all right [inaudible 00:34:58].
Speaker 4:
And so [inaudible 00:35:00] talking about [inaudible 00:35:01] white man, you just feel [inaudible 00:35:03].
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:35:04] somebody.
Proff:
That's right, that's right.
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 00:35:10].
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:35:14].
Speaker 6:
[inaudible 00:35:16] that means somebody [inaudible 00:36:18]. So I'm sure [inaudible 00:36:18]. Now they tell people [inaudible 00:36:18] they got to go out [inaudible 00:36:18].
Speaker 4:
That's right [inaudible 00:36:18] that's one of the things I [inaudible 00:36:18].
Speaker 6:
All the people over 65 years old [inaudible 00:36:18] that you got [inaudible 00:36:18] we have to go out and pay our poll tax [inaudible 00:36:18] and we got [inaudible 00:36:18] and all the people over 65 [inaudible 00:36:18].
Speaker 4:
Yeah, just [inaudible 00:36:18] they got this week [inaudible 00:36:18].
Proff:
Poll tax, that's right.
Speaker 4:
Poll tax [inaudible 00:36:18].
Proff:
That's good, that's good.
Speaker 6:
[inaudible 00:36:18].
Proff:
[inaudible 00:36:18] that's right. Now...
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:36:24] do I have to go down [inaudible 00:36:27] this year?
Proff:
Now, I think you go to [inaudible 00:36:29] on these steps, you got to go every year.
Speaker 5:
Every year.
Proff:
Right, but from what I [inaudible 00:36:35] now I'm not [inaudible 00:36:38] this, but you do go down [inaudible 00:36:39]. Now the reason I'm saying this [inaudible 00:36:39].
Speaker 6:
I was looking [inaudible 00:36:39] for '66.
Proff:
'66, right.
Speaker 6:
[inaudible 00:36:39].
Proff:
That's right [inaudible 00:36:39].
Speaker 6:
[inaudible 00:36:39] have to go about.
Proff:
That's right. Now you go back out with it as a deacon or [inaudible 00:36:39]. Okay now, if you're 63, if you're 62, you go up [inaudible 00:37:11]. If you're 63, if you're 62, you go up and ask for examples. And if they'll give it to you, you see [inaudible 00:37:28] you go up and ask for examples, and if they don't give it to you, you [inaudible 00:37:29]. Now the reason I'm saying this, now whatever you do, [inaudible 00:37:38] you feel [inaudible 00:37:43]. If you're 62 or 63 [inaudible 00:37:52] and if you're [inaudible 00:37:55] 60, over 60, you go up and ask them for examples [inaudible 00:37:59]. If you're over 60. And [inaudible 00:38:09] and you haven't read it, or if you see anybody that hasn't read it, you know [inaudible 00:38:18] to go out and read it, because [inaudible 00:38:25].[inaudible 00:38:29] do you have anything you wanted to say? All right, this gentleman [inaudible 00:38:40] I'm very happy [inaudible 00:38:43] but I'll still [inaudible 00:38:52] you will still [inaudible 00:38:53]. I had [inaudible 00:38:57] business [inaudible 00:38:58]. I feel that you're [inaudible 00:39:10].
I said the other day [inaudible 00:39:13] there, I saw my name [inaudible 00:39:17] on the paper, but the [inaudible 00:39:18] were cut off. But that's all right, I filled the page so if somebody [inaudible 00:39:21]. I don't know what it meant. I don't know what the idea was. What it meant, cut me off or what. But if I get caught off to help these young people, I wanted to be cut off.
I don't want them to come through [inaudible 00:39:46] like I got.
Speaker 6:
Amen.
Proff:
I think every negro [inaudible 00:39:56] especially [inaudible 00:39:59] to look out for your general [inaudible 00:40:03].
Speaker 5:
Amen.
Proff:
I said two nights ago and I still say it, and I hate to repeat but I must repeat because my mind needs me in that way. Until you learn to keep your [inaudible 00:40:18] out these white folk's kitchen [inaudible 00:40:23] washing dishes for [inaudible 00:40:25] a day, you're not doing this day. You're not getting in the way. You allowed your child to be in the snow.If you allow them to say, let me say it flat so they understand. It will be [inaudible 00:40:34] if you quit that, for all the Negroes. I [inaudible 00:40:49] come out to something that was going on in the district [inaudible 00:41:01].
Speaker 5:
Yeah [inaudible 00:41:01].
Proff:
And then got [inaudible 00:41:01] one of them 20 years old, and the other one's around 15. [inaudible 00:41:07] in a white man's [inaudible 00:41:08] for [inaudible 00:41:09] a day, or for [inaudible 00:41:11] of milk. And then if you say anything about it, they're ready to hang you up.
Speaker 6:
Yeah.
Proff:
[inaudible 00:41:22].
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:41:26].
Proff:
That's the one I'd fear most, because [inaudible 00:41:33] when a man [inaudible 00:41:37] but you can tell him now that you must not do it.
Speaker 6:
That's right.
Proff:
I used to get up, I wasn't going to [inaudible 00:41:48] here, and a group of men, a few days ago [inaudible 00:41:54] vote. Nobody hadn't voted for two years. And the next year, I got my check because they didn't [inaudible 00:42:08] no more. You know what that sounds to me? Like [inaudible 00:42:57].
Speaker 5:
Amen. [inaudible 00:42:58].
Proff:
I said a few days ago that this is a [inaudible 00:42:58]. You're going to [inaudible 00:42:58] the white man to give you a cut. You're still on [inaudible 00:42:58] you get, you [inaudible 00:42:58]. When you say it out there that you [inaudible 00:42:58] that's all going to be [inaudible 00:42:58] you see that? No, it wasn't me. It wasn't Brother [inaudible 00:42:59] it was the white men.I didn't tell you to [inaudible 00:43:10] the white man said it, and there's nothing you can do about it. Now the Negroes [inaudible 00:43:10] and the fact, now that it... So now [inaudible 00:43:11] only through the [inaudible 00:43:11]. And what about [inaudible 00:43:11]?
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:43:11].
Proff:
Nobody [inaudible 00:43:11] for Negroes. [inaudible 00:43:11] I want to get [inaudible 00:43:11]. If you don't make me believe I've got [inaudible 00:43:11]. If you don't make me believe that the negro didn't help to put those white folk in [inaudible 00:43:11] office, 80%. [inaudible 00:43:11] when you're blind and you see... When you don't see a man [inaudible 00:43:11] when you don't see [inaudible 00:43:11].And I believe we don't know [inaudible 00:43:11] too. [inaudible 00:43:11] from there. Let me tell you about [inaudible 00:44:17] that said [inaudible 00:44:25] regarding [inaudible 00:44:28] went and moved in, down there [inaudible 00:44:34] and he [inaudible 00:44:37] one day, he said, "Preacher, I want you to do me a favor." I think I told you all this one before.
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:44:44].
Proff:
[inaudible 00:44:47] said he wants me to go down there and get [inaudible 00:44:53] they haven't got [inaudible 00:44:56]. And I'll tell [inaudible 00:44:59] what you want [inaudible 00:45:00]. Because number one, [inaudible 00:45:08]. Number two, they have [inaudible 00:45:15] because I have my own business.
Speaker 5:
Amen.
Proff:
Do you know the [inaudible 00:45:26] for you and I? [inaudible 00:45:29] you take care of them [inaudible 00:45:31] but those goals you got is the most important thing in your life.
Speaker 5:
Amen, brother.
Proff:
Now you've got to help to protect your [inaudible 00:45:41].
Speaker 5:
Amen.
Proff:
Amen. Because you don't care anymore about them than they do you.
Speaker 5:
That's right.
Proff:
[inaudible 00:45:49] just like you would anybody else. I remember in 1934, let me [inaudible 00:46:00]. I think you should know this too, I found [inaudible 00:46:06]. That's where the white man [inaudible 00:46:11] with the negro for a long time [inaudible 00:46:14] to start going [inaudible 00:46:18] and her brother [inaudible 00:46:19] and one night, he got [inaudible 00:46:23] and she wanted to [inaudible 00:46:25] worry about [inaudible 00:46:29]. You get what I'm saying?I'm trying to get you [inaudible 00:46:38] come to you by your own people, and why don't you get up and do something? Right [inaudible 00:46:46] step up with us. Why don't you step up with us? Why don't you put on your 1966 shoes and [inaudible 00:46:54]? And I'll tell you a good way to do [inaudible 00:46:56]. When you meet with them [inaudible 00:47:00] you act like [inaudible 00:47:01] I gave you the [inaudible 00:47:02] god bless your heart, and [inaudible 00:47:04].
I know it hurt a lot, but I did it.
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:47:16].
Proff:
What's down there can make a man do something [inaudible 00:47:19] and let me tell you something else, and then I'll go. When you want respect, you [inaudible 00:47:24] self-respect. You tell those people [inaudible 00:47:27] that you were going where the [inaudible 00:47:29] don't like. I said [inaudible 00:47:38] I said when I was making my [inaudible 00:47:41] my house, and I went up there all dressed up.So [inaudible 00:47:52] that I want you to go [inaudible 00:47:55] on your [inaudible 00:47:58] and now listen. You don't have time to dress up now. Now there's white people [inaudible 00:48:05].
Speaker 5:
That's right.
Proff:
[inaudible 00:48:06] when they [inaudible 00:48:08] they take [inaudible 00:48:10] I would go home there looking like [inaudible 00:48:11]. I would've [inaudible 00:48:13] and I [inaudible 00:48:16] because I want [inaudible 00:48:23] to respect me. [inaudible 00:48:27] I told a man on the street the other day, and if you know all our [inaudible 00:48:34] is white.
Speaker 5:
Yeah.
Proff:
You know [inaudible 00:48:37].
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:48:41].
Proff:
That's [inaudible 00:48:43] you get what I'm saying? And [inaudible 00:48:53] disrespect [inaudible 00:48:55] because that [inaudible 00:48:58] got it?
Speaker 4:
That's right.
Proff:
[inaudible 00:49:01]. Now I've [inaudible 00:49:04] or accept it, and this was the [inaudible 00:49:10] for the rest of 1963 [inaudible 00:49:15] I don't know how long [inaudible 00:49:16] but I know how long your life [inaudible 00:49:19] life [inaudible 00:49:22].
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 00:49:25] yeah, when it says how long [inaudible 00:49:28].
Proff:
All right, this is [inaudible 00:49:31] then this is the... You understand how [inaudible 00:49:35].
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 00:49:36] yeah.
Proff:
[inaudible 00:49:38].
Speaker 4:
I don't know [inaudible 00:49:40].
Proff:
Yeah [inaudible 00:49:42] the other day [inaudible 00:49:45] get a time to go at whatever [inaudible 00:49:50] that you belong. All [inaudible 00:49:53] for the year of 1966. And when the next one [inaudible 00:50:01] now that's a vote for the 1966 [inaudible 00:50:06] platform [inaudible 00:50:08] January of 1968.
Speaker 5:
Yeah, that's [inaudible 00:50:11].
Proff:
God bless you. Yeah, that's a wonderful [inaudible 00:50:18].
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 00:50:19].
Proff:
Today, while we [inaudible 00:50:32] now, I [inaudible 00:50:33] because I may not get [inaudible 00:50:35] we must [inaudible 00:50:38] county [inaudible 00:50:41], that they should help you and me. Because America has a right of respect from the other people, that they will accept it, and [inaudible 00:50:56] whenever there must be a power to go up there and act for your benefit.I said this before, that such a plan will register every member involved in this church, and [inaudible 00:51:08] by a member [inaudible 00:51:11].
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 00:51:13].
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:51:16].
Proff:
Right, you're [inaudible 00:51:22].
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 00:51:24].
Speaker 5:
Now [inaudible 00:51:27].
Proff:
[inaudible 00:51:29].
Speaker 5:
Amen.
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 00:51:35] that's right.
Proff:
I don't know, but if people like to do it, somebody's going to be moving anyway.
Speaker 4:
That's right.
Proff:
Right. Let's quit using it this way, I'm talking [inaudible 00:51:47] now, how God, who works in His own time, God is great [inaudible 00:51:51]. Now I said the other day, and I told them, I said the other day that when Moses went up on the mountain [inaudible 00:52:04] to get the law, God made it up there in the cloud, and gave him the law, and God rose back to heaven, Moses ran back down that mountain and gave those people the law and said what God [inaudible 00:52:18].Now let me tell you something. God works through [inaudible 00:52:24] and not [inaudible 00:52:25]. God told me, come now [inaudible 00:52:28] come now tonight and put [inaudible 00:52:32] still [inaudible 00:52:34] the night was shaken [inaudible 00:52:36]. You could [inaudible 00:52:42]. I don't need him, [inaudible 00:52:45] we know what I'm talking about. [inaudible 00:52:53] because [inaudible 00:53:03] and because they [inaudible 00:53:09] and I'm very excited tomorrow to be back there to do [inaudible 00:53:18]. Thank you very much.
Speaker 7:
Thank you.
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:53:27].
Speaker 7:
Yeah.
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:53:30] about a [inaudible 00:53:32] that's why I [inaudible 00:53:34].
Speaker 7:
That's right.
Speaker 5:
And [inaudible 00:53:37] again.
Speaker 7:
That's right [inaudible 00:53:40] '66. Everyone I looked at, you know.
Speaker 5:
Yeah.
Proff:
[inaudible 00:53:44] now if it was me, when you get next year, all you have to go back [inaudible 00:53:52].
Speaker 6:
That's right.
Proff:
And then [inaudible 00:53:54] to another, just like that, and [inaudible 00:53:56].
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:54:00].
Speaker 7:
Now anybody had any question [inaudible 00:54:05] we're really happy [inaudible 00:54:06].
Proff:
[inaudible 00:54:11] I just [inaudible 00:54:14] I'll tell you [inaudible 00:54:16] being our first [inaudible 00:54:21] election in county [inaudible 00:54:23].
Speaker 7:
That's right.
Proff:
And in fact [inaudible 00:54:28] are, they've got what you call a hothead [inaudible 00:54:36] said to me, when I [inaudible 00:54:44] a white man, maybe a look at [inaudible 00:54:47] they will look for [inaudible 00:54:52] election.
Speaker 7:
That's right.
Proff:
By [inaudible 00:54:55] I imagine there are people [inaudible 00:54:59] I was telling him about it, what I forgot to tell him is [inaudible 00:55:04] he was [inaudible 00:55:06]. So a big job [inaudible 00:55:15] is too big [inaudible 00:55:21] is maybe a vote for [inaudible 00:55:22]. So everybody should come on [inaudible 00:55:26] and maybe there's [inaudible 00:55:31].
Speaker 6:
That's right.
Speaker 8:
[inaudible 00:55:44] because in the south, it feels like... That you have your white people, and they either [inaudible 00:56:17] you, right, or they tell you they're [inaudible 00:56:20] and it won't be helped, yeah, so I kind of feel bad [inaudible 00:56:28] in the south especially. But you know, there's a lot of people [inaudible 00:56:38] I've heard about in the county, like in New Jersey and Maine [inaudible 00:56:46] anywhere for the south.[inaudible 00:56:51] and there are people there, they know you, your names, they know what you're doing, and they're supporting you too. And it means you're not alone [inaudible 00:57:05] not alone [inaudible 00:57:08] there's people in the south [inaudible 00:57:13] and you know [inaudible 00:57:18].
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:57:22].
Speaker 8:
And you know, if you look at [inaudible 00:57:25] and all of that, you know [inaudible 00:57:34].
Proff:
Yeah. Brother [inaudible 00:57:45] let's see, who is that [inaudible 00:57:49]?
Speaker 8:
[inaudible 00:57:50].
Proff:
Yeah, Brother [inaudible 00:57:51] said that they know [inaudible 00:57:55]. The people know that I [inaudible 00:58:04]. They know that I [inaudible 00:58:09] to hide me from saying that I didn't vote in Atlanta, Georgia. I drove my car to Atlanta up there. Whenever I come on back home, when I'll [inaudible 00:58:23] I had to Atlanta, Georgia, I had a home out there. When I got a $6000 brick house over there.
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:58:30].
Proff:
[inaudible 00:58:31] I thank God for it, I'm standing up [inaudible 00:58:34].
Speaker 7:
[inaudible 00:58:38].
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:58:47] say something, they had [inaudible 00:58:49].
Speaker 7:
Yeah.
Speaker 5:
I mean [inaudible 00:58:52].
Speaker 7:
Oh.
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 00:58:57] you know, I [inaudible 00:59:04].
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:59:06] feel bad because they had [inaudible 00:59:09] down in the south. [inaudible 00:59:11] and then [inaudible 00:59:15] we do do a [inaudible 00:59:17] everyone comes down for [inaudible 00:59:18] on our own [inaudible 00:59:24].
Speaker 7:
That's right.
Speaker 5:
[inaudible 00:59:26]. You might not meet all the [inaudible 00:59:29] but you know [inaudible 00:59:31].
Speaker 7:
[inaudible 00:59:40].
Proff:
[inaudible 00:59:42].
Speaker 4:
Yeah, that's very good. He knew what it's all about. He just talks [inaudible 00:59:50] he knows what it's all about, and [inaudible 00:59:53]. And yeah. And you don't have [inaudible 01:00:15] of the Negroes down there. [inaudible 01:00:21] five Negroes down there. [inaudible 01:00:24].
Proff:
[inaudible 01:00:23] all of them down there.
Speaker 4:
They're like [inaudible 01:00:29] and you know that [inaudible 01:00:37] you know, I mean not to me, but maybe I'll tell you, I keep getting [inaudible 01:00:45]. However you [inaudible 01:00:51] because that's [inaudible 01:00:53] that's not going to leave you [inaudible 01:00:56] regardless of who he is [inaudible 01:00:59] whatnot. He's not no [inaudible 01:01:03].
Speaker 6:
That's right, that's right.
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 01:01:04] to put on these FHAs, and these. Every negro you see is only committed [inaudible 01:01:17].
Speaker 6:
That's right, that's right.
Speaker 4:
And they're holding you back, being a negro [inaudible 01:01:25]. That's why I [inaudible 01:01:35] they didn't encourage you, and that's their point. [inaudible 01:01:39] that do, you know, before their frame [inaudible 01:01:45] they were all about. And you know how bad it was then [inaudible 01:02:11] you couldn't get [inaudible 01:02:11] couldn't get [inaudible 01:02:11].
Speaker 6:
That's right.
Speaker 4:
But they got to name our speaker, and [inaudible 01:02:11] that you said [inaudible 01:02:11] but they got [inaudible 01:02:12] that's who they got, and put on [inaudible 01:02:16] we have an [inaudible 01:02:20]. And that makes it worse that that type of negro [inaudible 01:02:27] first.
Speaker 6:
That's right, that's right.
Speaker 4:
Because he's going to do just what they expect [inaudible 01:02:38] he just said that he [inaudible 01:02:46] now, he's going to go right here.
Speaker 6:
[inaudible 01:02:49].
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 01:02:51] that's right. Now I think what we should do, [inaudible 01:03:01] and move some of these other [inaudible 01:03:05].
Speaker 6:
That's right.
Speaker 4:
Now we can do this. It'll take [inaudible 01:03:12] and do this, I know, but I know what it's got to take to do this. How to move these people.
Speaker 6:
That's right.
Speaker 4:
[inaudible 01:03:27] go by [inaudible 01:03:29] when I was young. This guy who is the head of state, name was like [inaudible 01:03:40].
Speaker 6:
[inaudible 01:03:41] Roger?
Speaker 4:
Roger, yes.
Speaker 6:
Roger, that's right.
Speaker 4:
The head of state. What he did, when I was young, I was [inaudible 01:03:54] like that. He got [inaudible 01:03:55] about what project was being made in [inaudible 01:04:00]. How the negro was... Or the type of loan that the negro wants. [inaudible 01:04:12] loan. [inaudible 01:04:17] four, five, six, seven, eight, nearly $10,000. They all want [inaudible 01:04:21].And I was sitting there, you know, and I [inaudible 01:04:28] then I explain that I had, a year before then, I had applied for a $6000 loan. Then that really [inaudible 01:04:46] up, you see. That really [inaudible 01:04:47] up when I [inaudible 01:04:49]. I told people... Now here, let me tell you this. Okay. A year ago, it was taking place.
Copyright © Smiley Proff & Mimi Feingold Real. 1966
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