#VoicesFromTheStacks
For today’s Voices from the Stacks, I am sharing a letter from a Mrs. Roche to Eric Morton from the Eric Morton Civil Rights Papers. Eric Morton (1934-2015) was the Materials Coordinator for Freedom Summer, a 1964 project organized to register Black voters in the South. Morton and others faced harsh treatment, violence, and racist attacks in Mississippi during this campaign. On June 15, 1964, Morton and UI student Stephen Smith (1944-2009) were arrested and beaten by police while delivering materials to Greenwood, Mississippi. Below is a transcription of the letter, written just a few days after this incident. This letter is an important reminder of the fear and dangerous realities faced by the volunteers of Freedom Summer.
Friday (July 17, 1964) Dear Eric, Please excuse this writing paper, but I am sure you will understand. My ears have been glued to the radio listening to news and when I heard of trucks being stopped and workers being arrested on such ridiculous trumped up charges, my fears for you mounted. Then when Kathleen called and told us of your misfortune, my fears became a reality. It just doesn’t seem possible that such conditions could exist in a so-called civilized country. I hope and pray your work will become a reality very soon, not weeks, months, or years from now. Do be careful, cautious, take care of yourself. If you need anything, please let me know. I will try to do what I can. I realize you are very busy, but I would like to hear from you. Lovingly, Mrs. Roche
Want to learn more about the work of civil rights leaders? Check out these rare recordings of interviews from the Eric Morton papers and elsewhere.
Eric Morton papers (MsC0999, Special Collections)
Stephen Smith papers (RG02.0009.032, University Archives)
-Micaela
