Peggy: I wasn't aware that there was anything wrong - that there were differences – for a long time. I guess what made me know there was a difference was when Emmett Till, in Mississippi, was killed. I remember my daddy always bought the Pittsburgh Courier and that was a black newspaper - it was something we got every week - and it was on the front page of the paper. Then I realized that there was something wrong. That this wasn't the way it was supposed to be. Then of course, too, I remember knowing that, my daddy was a very big man, I remember him talking to white people and having to say "Yes, sir, No sir" and it was just so degrading - it was an awful thing. I remember thinking, he shouldn't have to do this.
Geoff: What kind of things were you aware of that were going on?
Peggy: Well like, people were beaten. All black people usually had to work for somebody and if they didn't do what they wanted him to do he would just beat him.
Geoff: So when you grew up seeing that happen, did it make you afraid of white people or more angry towards them?
Peggy: I don't remember being afraid but I had no desire to be friends with them either.
Peggy Holmes, recollections of the Civil Rights Era.
"Two days later, I visited the city again. This time I was with Keith Smith, and Sharon
Courson, from Jesup. We brought groceries with us as well as a written apology . We
started by kneeling and praying in the street. As we did, people in the street joined us in prayer.
We joined hands and prayed for the different needs of the people in the community."
Geoff Sadler, Jacksonville, Florida.
"The man was first put up, and sold to the highest bidder. The wife was next ordered to ascend the platform. I was present. She slowly obeyed the order. The auctioneer commenced, and soon several hundred dollars were bid.
"My eyes were intensely fixed on the face of the woman, whose cheeks were wet with tears. But a conversation between the slave and his new master attracted my attention. I drew near them to listen. The slave was begging his new master to purchase his wife.
"Said he, 'Master, if you will only buy my wife, I know you will get the worth of your money. She is a good cook, a good washer, and her last mistress liked her very much. If you will only buy her how happy I shall be.'
"The new master replied that he did not want her but if she sold cheap he would purchase her. I watched the countenance of the man while the different persons were bidding on his wife. When his new master bid on his wife you could see the smile upon his countenance, and the tears stop; but as soon as another would bid, you could see the countenance change and the tears start afresh.
"From this change of countenance one could see the workings of the inmost soul. But this suspense did not last long; the wife was struck off to the highest bidder, who proved not to be the owner of her husband."
Account of a slave auction in Richmond, Va.
"The final day of my journey was a special one. I didn't plan it this way, but it turned out
to be the last day of Black History Month. There was a quiet peace as I sat at the oceans
edge and prayed my final prayer. I sat, expectant of something else to happen and as usual I
wasn't disappointed ..."
Geoff Sadler, Jekyll Island, journey's end.