![Transcription Center logo](/themes/custom/tc_theme/assets/image/logo.png)
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
FREEDOMWAYS FOURTH QUARTER 1966 RUTH GAGE-COLBY Late Saturday Night, December 11, 1965 Eslanda, my darling, THE IDEA you shared with me today about the Negro soldier having it in his power to stop the war in Vietnam has world-shaking potential. I won't sleep for thinking of it! You say the black soldier must realize he is not duty bound to fight in this war—a war against a colored people engaged in a long valiant struggle for freedom and self-determination, the same in principle as the one he himself is being forced to carry on here at home. You say if he understood this as he was being shipped to Vietnam in ever-increasing numbers— and you think he will be—he could just bide his time when he got there and finally when his forces became strong enough he could lay down his arms. God, what a thought! It should be planted in the mind of every soldier—black and white. Once inoculated, it would be bound to grow sturdily until it choked out the poisonous myths which have all but supplanted truth in our country. Of course, Negro soldiers like all others have been indoctrinated to believe that Communism is the arch enemy and must be "contained" even if it means putting all "Communists" in their graves. We must consider that Negroes may feel a deep sense of pride in being equal—or more than equal—in the armed forces fighting the "Viet Cong" and yet, if every one of them was reached by the grapevine you mentioned with the true facts of this unjust and barbarous war, they might as a man decide to have no part of it. Their decision, beyond the courage and even beyond the imagination of most men, would lead to the greatest mutiny in history. How invincible is your faith in the human spirit! It is the source of my joy in working with you at the United Nations these many years. We have known the Africans, first as petitioners in the Trusteeship Council, then as representatives from their newly freed countries; we have gone to countless hospitable receptions together, especially those of the Soviet Mission and the Eastern European countries where we have so many good friends. Another bond between us is our friendship and admiration for U Thant, our wonderful Secretary General. We must never cease to uphold his untiring efforts for peace. One day soon we shall see those billion people who have won their independence through the United Nations out-vote the 340
Transcription Notes:
On the top line, "FREEDOMWAYS" is aligned to the left, and "FOURTH QUARTER 1966" is aligned to the right.
"Late Saturday Night..." Is aligned to the right.
----------
Reopened for Editing 2024-02-09 17:19:59