Bernard-- Joel Bernard correspondence, 1964-1966 (Jacqueline Bernard papers, 1964-1967; Archives Main Stacks, Mss 230, Box 1, Folder 1)

@ Wisconsin Historical Society

Bernard, Jacqueline

Description

Joel Bernard, a white Freedom Summer volunteer from New York City, was assigned to canvass for voter registration and the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party in West Point, in eastern Mississippi. Far from the Delta, from SNCC headquarters in Greenwood, and from COFO headquarters in Jackson; lacking transportation; living with his African American hostess in a rural community so impoverished and fraught that no Freedom House or project center could be found to work out of, he poured out his observations, frustrations, fears, and hopes to his mother in long, eloquent letters. He provides a very detailed description of the training and work of a Freedom Summer volunteer as well as blow-by-blow accounts of canvassing, rural life, life with his black hostess, and his experiences in Columbus's "integrated" public library. There's also an account of his experience on the March Against Fear from Memphis in 1966. This is one of the best collections of letters from volunteers in the Wisconsi

Format:

Correspondence

Rights:

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