June 13, 1964 " NEVER EVER GIVE UP "

                                          - Winston Churchill

                                                        The Diary of Mary Louise

(My favorite quote ever!)

 

Dear Diary,

Right now I'm still in boring old history class at Yale University (my college). I haven't been paying attention at all today in class. We're learning about the Revolutionary War. The reason why I probably haven't been able to pay attention is because the other day I got a mysterious letter in the mail from someone anonymous saying that they would like my help to come help African Americans down south register to vote. Now of course my parents had a cow when I told them about the letter, and said there is no possible way on earth that they'll let me go. Well to bad, because you know what I'm in college now, and I think I need I should have some more freedom to do what I want, and not what my parents want! So that's that, and I'm going! Plus it's for a good cause. Well I head for the south in two days. I'm really excited to help out these poor African Americans, because it is completely not fair that just because of the color of their skin they don't get the same rights as other people. I mean they even have to sit in the back of the bus, and not in the front of the bus, because of their skin color. Also at the same time though I'm really nervous and scared because I mean I'm almost 100 % sure that something bad is going to happen and then the police will come, and a ton of people will be arrested, and lynched! I just hope I'm not one of those people! There is one bright side of going to this thing though. The good thing is, well actually there are two good things. The first one is, one of my best friends, Elizabeth James is coming so I won't be all alone. The other thing is that even if I do die tomorrow, at least I know that I dyed for a good cause, and maybe because of this whole event that took place, blacks may get the same equal rights as whites. Well I better stop writing so I can pay attention, and hopefully not flunk history class!

Sincerely,

Mary Louise

 

 

 

June 14, 1964

 

Dear Diary,

Well today is the big day. I can't be any more nervous than I already am. It's impossible! Oh great I'm not thinking positive that's going to make me feel better. Okay just think positive Mary Louise and you'll be just fine. Well diary I'll hopefully get back alive and I'll come write and tell you how it went.

Sincerely,

Mary Louise

 

 

June 15, 1964                                         

Dear Diary,

Wow that was some trip to the south! It started out as a great trip! I mean everybody was getting along great. Registraters were regerstring African Americans, and we were all having a great time. There was one problem though, because as  soon as I arrived in the south I automatically new from the stares that everybody was giving us that people in the south were a lot less friendly (no offence). At first when I got there I was really excited. I mean it was fun helping all of the African Americans register to vote, but some sad and tragic things did happen! Two guys whose names I didn't catch got lynched and beaten and their bodies still haven't been found. Also a ton of people got lynched, beaten, and arrested. That is one sad, but happy memory that I will always remember. I will always treasure that memory.  Someday if I become a teacher, which is my dream I will be sure to become a history teacher, and tell my students that I actually participated in Freedom Summer. So if I'm going to become a History teacher I better start paying more attention in class!

Sincerely,

Mary Louise

 

 

 

 

 

9 YEARS LATER...................

 

Dear Diary,

 

Yes I am still writing in a diary. I know that probably seems weird for a 33 yr. old history teacher to be writing in a diary, but I still like to express my feelings in a diary for some strange reason. Well I got that job as a history teacher, so I am proud to tell you that now I am The Lovett School's new 7th grade history teacher. Oh, and yes I have told my students that story probably so many times, that whenever they hear me say that we're going to learn about Freedom Summer they all groan, and say " Not again Mrs. Ellis". Oh, and I almost forgot to write this in my diary! I just don't know how it slipped my mind, but yes I'm also a Mrs. now. I married a wonderful man named, John Ellis who was actually at Harvard the same time I was at Yale. He also participated in Freedom Summer. Is that a coincidence or what? Now that I have fulfilled my dream as being a history teacher, and telling my students my story about Freedom Summer, my new dream is that some day when I have grand- children, I will tell them the exact same story as I told my students.

Sincerely,

Mary Louise Ellis

 

P.S. I also have a new beautiful baby girl named Ellie Elizabeth