November 1, 1952
Dear Mom,
I'm writing you this letter because I've heard through the family grapevine that you are upset that I'm not returning home to Alabama after I finish my last gig.
Mama, I can't. While I've been touring with Dad and Uncle Will on the road, I've seen a huge difference in the way we've been treated up north. It's not perfect by any means, mama, but it is so much better. I've had it with these Jim Crow "separate but equal" laws. I understand that our roots are in Alabama, and grandma and grandpa are there and you don't want to break up the family, but mama I've got to find a better way of life for myself.
Mama, do you know what it's like for me as a black entertainer? I go onstage in a nightclub where people pay good money to see me perform. But if I try walking in that same nightclub as a patron the next evening with a wallet full of money, I am not allowed to eat or drink there because of the color of my skin. I am tired of the segregated railway cars, restrooms, restaurants and drinking fountains. And someday if I'm lucky enough to have children of my own, I don't want them to have to read outdated textbooks, sit on broken furniture and be taught by lousy teachers just because they are African American.
I know I am learning these lessons a bit late in life. But that's because Daddy and Uncle Will shielded me from prejudice as best they could whenever we performed. When we were snubbed or not allowed in a club, Daddy told me it was because they were "jealous of our talent." And as an innocent child, I believed him.
But when I served in the United States Army during World War II, I finally was confronted by strong racial prejudice without dad by my side to protect me. Overnight the world looked different. It wasn't one color any more. I could see the protection I'd gotten all my life from my father and Will. I appreciated their loving hope that I'd never need to know about prejudice and hate, but they were wrong. It was as if I'd walked through a swinging door for eighteen years, a door which they had always secretly held open.
Like I said, mama, things aren't perfect up North, but they are better. And I've made a surprising good friend--mama, FRANK SINATRA is one of my best friends and I can't wait for you to meet him. We've played at a few clubs together, and one time I was told I wasn't allowed to eat in the restaurant after we'd finished performing. I took my plate and went to eat alone in our tour bus. The rest of the performers and the band stayed in the club, but Frank asked for a take-out plate too and came and ate in the bus with me. I couldn't believe it.
Mama, I promise you--someday I will make enough money and bring you and grandma and grandpa up North to live with me in a beautiful house, anywhere you want. In the meantime, please understand why I'm not ever going to live in Alabama again. Give everybody my love and I promise will see you at Christmastime. I love you!
Your devoted son,
SAMMY DAVIS, JR.
(Note to Professor G. and Class: Sammy Davis Jr. was actually from New York, I just made him from Alabama in this story for the sake of the pretend argument. But everything else in my letter is true. Sammy Davis performed with his father and Uncle Will and called themselves "The Will Mastin Trio." The paragraph about the Army is a direct Sammy Davis Jr. quote from one of his books, and the story about Frank Sinatra is a true anecdote told by Nancy Sinatra in her book "My Father." (My mom is a huge Frank Sinatra fan and has several books about him!) I hope you all enjoyed reading my letter written as "Sammy!" --Best, Lisa
ps: I chose the date November 1, 1952 randomly, only because the Jim Crow Laws were repealed in 1954.)
7. LISA RAO
Hi Beverly,
Thanks so much for your comment. I've been playing "catch up" this past week (had some crazy stuff happen at work) so I haven't been checking eportfolio as much as I should.
My mom was a HUGE Sinatra fan as a teen; she has some great stories about Frank and also Sammy. She says she and her friends always used to give Frank a rose at the Paramount and he'd put it in his lapel. One week they decided to give one to Sammy too; she said he was so touched and thrilled he almost cried. She said he kept pointing to the flower on stage and saying, "Look Frank, look!"
I'm glad you enjoyed my story!
Best,
Lisa
04/04/13, 04:51 am
6. BEVERLY WILLIAMS
Hi Lisa:
Very interesting research on Sammy Davis Jr. Very creative and fun to read. He made some very interesting quotes and as part of the “The Rat Pack” those three guys who work together and kid each other and love each other.
Nonetheless you did a great job with the story.
03/30/13, 09:24 pm
5. LISA RAO
Thanks so much Edelson! I was worried that writing as Sammy Davis Jr. was a little too "out there" but everyone seemed to really like it. I'm glad I took a chance and "pushed the envelope" a little bit.
Lsa
03/19/13, 05:21 am
4. EDELSON FLORES
Wow, there was so much going on in this post that was just awesome. Side note, I love Sammy Davis Jr! The fact that you were able to use point of view to talk to his mother was such a cool idea. You made the assignment fun and interesting for yourself which in turn made it fun and interesting to read!
Edelson Flores
03/18/13, 03:15 am
3. ANGELA ISAAC
Hi Lisa,
I loved your post! It is so creative and so much fun to read. Thanks for the interesting perspective, it really helped me to see this issue from another perspective. It really opened up my eyes to a different perspective from an individual rather than the group perspective. Thanks!
03/16/13, 02:01 am
2. Bradley Gardener
Thank you for the meticulous detail. Your effort is noted. I also think it is fun and illustrative to change history in the way you did. It shows that history has actually not yet been determined. We can interpret and re-interpret it again and again.
You may want to look into race records. en.wikipedia.org/...
I am fan of music - especially related to culture and struggle. In this regard - I am a big fan of the blues. It is fascinating to see how the blues changed when they went North.
Great job.
03/12/13, 06:36 pm
1. NADIA MEHENNI
Lisa, great reference to artists! Life must have been really hard for them to be accepted as men and musicians, after they were ridiculed by Whites with black make-up! And finally, they were, and are among the best ones in the world. Thanks.
Nadia
03/10/13, 02:28 pm