1919. World War I had ended. Wilson planned Memorial Day Exercises and a Home Celebration for “the boys who answered their country’s call.” Or most of them, anyway.
The Daily Times published this clarification days before the festivities. Bottom line: Black soldiers were not invited. The mayor had designated “July 4th as the day on which the colored people of Wilson County will honor the returned heroes of their race ….” The good white businessmen of the town had agreed to throw a little money at the later event, but “… there will be no provision made for the returned colored soldiers in [the] parade or barbecue dinner.”
Wilson Daily Times, 10 May 1919.
My. MY, MY.
Imagine being ostracized and ostracizing someone because of their skin color ; what a human travesty to partake in or even having to witness. It’s like discriminating against red cardinals but not blue jays…..sounds foolish, right? Discrimination because of color IS foolish, period. No one has to be put down, for any reason, in order for someone else to stand up… except for ill-gotten motives.