Letter to President Dwight D. Eisenhower from Ava Johnson Aycock Against Desegregation

1 9 X X 1849 Willowbranch Jacksonville, Florida October 10, 1957 President D. D. Eisenhour White House Washington, D. C. Dear President Eisenhour: As a Daughter of the American Revolution and a Daughter of the Confederacy, I feel qualified to express an opinion on the "desegragation" question. Our forefathers did not take this country from the Indians to hand it over to the Negroes. The asinine quality of forcing white children to intermingle with Negroes will bring about a mulatto race and degenerate our wonderful country of white supremacy. There is no freedom or justice in forcing unpleasant associations regardless of race, color or creed. Our country has suffered prestige from the recent furor. "Desegraga- tion" has divided our people and stirred the bitterness of reconstruction days; all of this to satisfy the political ambition of Mr. Brownell and the Republican party. This forced integration is an intrusion of our private and social life (schools, churches, etc. are social) which will never be accepted by true Americans whose forefathers died for liberty and justice. We respect your military ability, but why turn that power against your own people and innocent children whose natural beliefs and traditions are born in them and not acquired? In closing let me quote, " Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom; but in thy getting, also get understanding." Understanding is what you have not shown. Yours most sincerely, (Mrs.) Ava Johnson Aycock) Ora Johnson aycock