In the letter the men describe the "widespread unemployment and great misery" affecting the citizens of the state, and they complain that the legislature is not discussing any programs to meet the needs of the poor ("All the so called economy...
These passages include three poems by African American writers: "Helen Keller" by Langston Hughes; "'Courage!' He Said" by Jessie Fauset; and "Spirit Vision" by Countee Cullen.
This article gives details about the arrest of the "Scottsboro Boys" and their alleged assault of Ruby Bates and Victoria Price ("one of the most brutal attacks in the history of the Tennessee Valley").
This article gives an account of the arrest of the "Scottsboro Boys," which was submitted by a traveling salesman. It describes the appearance and behavior of the nine young men and the two women they were accused of assaulting, and it mentions...
This article gives details about the arrest of the "Scottsboro Boys" and their alleged assault of Ruby Bates and Victoria Price ("one of the most horrible ever perpetrated in the United States"). Three National Guard companies were called up to...
This article discusses the upcoming trial of the nine "Scottsboro Boys," were were falsely charged with assaulting two white women on a train. The piece commends the local citizens for allowing the authorities to handle the matter, promising that...
This article discusses and commends Mahatma Gandhi's plans for a "bloodless revolution" in India, comparing it to revolutionary wars in the United States, France, and Russia: "India contains more than 300,000,000 people. The demand for freedom is...
This article discusses the rioting in the Etowah County jail by eight of the "Scottsboro Boys," who had been convicted and given the death penalty: "When finally quieted and asked what was the matter, one of the negroes replied, 'We just don't like...
This article discusses a message sent by the International Labor Defense, demanding the release of the recently convicted "Scottsboro Boys." The nine young men were falsely charged with the "criminal assault" of two white women on a train, and...
Thomas Walker Wallace wrote this piece for his column "Here and There," which was published in the Birmingham Reporter, an African American newspaper. In it he argues against the death penalty. While he concedes that "It seems reasonable that when...
In the telegram Owen explains that the governor of Alabama and the mayor of Montgomery would like for Tallulah to attend the Confederate veteran reunion on June 2. She encourages her niece to participate: "It would make good national publicity as...
In the message the club members suggest that the governor issue a proclamation asking all businesses in the state to refrain from laying off any employees: "...instead if necessity demands it that wages be cut or number of working hours or days be...
In the letter Bankhead explains the difficulty he has had getting an extension on the passport of Ida, Tallulah's English personal assistant. He succeeded because of his political connections: "I really had to go myself in person to get the matter...
In the letter Owen admonishes her niece for her recent interview with Gladys Hall of Motion Picture magazine, and she comments on the status of Tallulah's career: "Now of course I take it for granted that you were having a lark with the reporter...
In the telegram Tallulah discusses her recent interview with Gladys Hall of Motion Picture magazine, asserting that "the article is a tissue of lies and misquotations from beginning to end." She adds that the misrepresentation is "one of the many...
In the letter Bankhead discusses the "infamous interview" Tallulah gave to Gladys Hall of Motion Picture magazine, and assures her that it "will not permanently impair your standing with the public." He remarks that the incident "has shown to you...
In the first letter Brigadier General J. C. Persons of the Alabama National Guard sends Governor Benjamin Miller an account of recent events in Birmingham, which was submitted by another officer. The second letter contains the report of Second...
In the first letter, written July 7, 1933, Tricksey explains that he is an African American with a large family to support. He has just lost his job with the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, and he asks the governor to help him get employment or...