1958-P.Lee

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This entry is from the perspective of an African American 6th grader living in Raleigh, NC at the end of 1958.

Dear Diary,

As I look back over this year, I am still full of hope for 1959. This year begin with controversy here in North Carolina. In January, the Battle of Hayes Pond took place in Maxton between the KKK and the Lumbee Indians. I guess the Lumbee Indians got fed up with the Ku Klux Klan’s scare tactics. The Lumbee decided to give them a taste of their own medicine. Good for them. I wish some people here in Raleigh would get the nerve to stand up to the Klan. From what I heard, the Klan was getting ready to set someone’s home a blaze. Once the meeting started, the Indians appeared. It was nearly two thousands Indians compared to a hundred or so white men. I heard they stole all their guns and took funny pictures too. I haven’t seen any pictures. It was exciting to hear about a group of people taking on the Klan. I wish people in Raleigh would do the same. I heard it hasn’t been any more Klan meetings in Maxton.

On a sadder note, my dad still hasn’t found a job. I heard this all stems from the decline of the automobile industry in Detroit. My brother graduates from high school this year. I sure hope things pick up so he can have a job. My mom could use the help and I know my brother wants to get married.

Oh! The government has released a satellite into space. I’m not sure what they’re looking for but I know it’s amazing. We were able to watch the satellite shoot into the air that night. I have never seen anything like that before. I can’t wait to find out what lays beyond the sky.

My teacher got a brand new car! I guess due to the depression, cars are selling for cheap. She showed up to school in a white car; Ford I believe. I want to be rich too.