Adolphine Fletcher Terry's Letter on Racial Situation

              
Little Rock, Arkansas 
April 10, 1958
[ 411 E 7th St.]

Mr. Herbert Thomas
Highway #10
Little Rock, Arkansas


Dear Herbert:

For the past two months I have been attending each 
Thursday morning a meeting of an interracial group at the 
Dunbar Community Center. This morning we discussed the 
Thomas Plan and I thought you might be interested in a 
short report.

I think I have the names of all present. They were: 
white, Dr. Marion Boggs, Mr. J. C. Roberts, from Philander
Smith; Mrs. A. J. Fulbright, Mrs. John DeMille, Mrs. Howard
Bragg, Rev. C. S. Cartright, Mrs. Kathryne Wells, Mrs. Edith
M. Tyra.  Negroes: J. C. Crenshaw, H. C. Ray, father of one
of the negro students; Chris Mercer, secretary of the NAACP,
Louise W. Smith, Bernice A. Moore, M. B. Hicks and Mrs. Daisy
Bates.

After much discussion the consensus of opinion seemed to
be that as far as the State is concerned the Plan has merit.
As far as the local situation is concerned however, no one, 
either white or colored, felt that the negroes should give up 
what they have gained with so much difficulty in the Central 
High School. I am sure that Mr. Cartright, who presided over 
the meeting, can tell you more than I.

I had met Mrs. Bates before but I was particularly im­pressed 
with her this morning. Many of the negroes want to 
hold forth at great length on the subject of their wrongs - 
and of course they have plenty - but that is a waste of time.
She knew exactly what she was talking about and has her eyes 
fixed on the future. Chris Mercer whom I had never met before, 
is also a very able, well educated young man. I wish you would 
get in touch with these two people and discuss the plan with them. 
They would not only appreciate being consulted, but I think you would
 be interested in what they have to say.

Sincerely yours,

[Adolphine Terry, signature]