Fitzgerald: Geography of a Revolution

Chapter IV: Races Meet

Chapter IV: Races Meet Despite Kanada, the Seymours, the Pollards, the Turners and the Greers, other black families were labelled "the first colored families inthe neighborhood" in the 1960's. Whites had forgotten the black families in Fitzgerald's past and tried to block the "first" efforts of blacks to integrate a "white" community. The white response included not only threats of violence, but violence itself. In November, 1960, the Mitchams moved to the most affluent section of the neighborhood, the "Behind Marygrove" region, on Florence arnj Roselawn. Reverend David Mitcham is a highly articulate and well-educated minister, but he received an ignominious "welcome" to Fitzgerald . He tells of his first meeting with his neighbors. After we moved in we were called on by representatives of the Marygrove Civic Association. They indicated to me they were interested in buying the house. I asked them, "Oh, whafs there about this house that distinguishes it from any other, other than the fact that I'm in it?" And they rose to that one. "That's just the point, Mr. Mitcham. Ever since it was known that you were moving in, the neighborhood has been very distressed and, frankly, Mr. Mitcham, they want you out." I said, "Well, that puts a different light on the whole thing, because what you are really talking about is not my buying the house, but my right to live in the house. I do not know how we can negotiate that." Only three Caucasoids came to Mitcham's defense : Mrs. George Button, from an Abe Lincoln Republican family who can still sing "As WeGo Marching Through Georgia;" John Biesanz, a Wayne State University Professorwith a liberal sociologist's background; and DavidCowley from the Commission on Community Relations, a local governmental agency. Reverend Mitcham recounts his first meeting with this minority of three: Another appointment was set up with the Marygrove Civic Association at eight o'clock the next evening, Sunday.At seven-thirty the doorbell *>9 70 rang and I said, "My goodness, they must be here early." I went to the door, and lo and behold , three other people. I said, "Oh no, not another delegation! Not another Association!" But I was greeted very cheerfully by these three people and they said, "We are neighbors of yours and we've come to welcome you to the community." The minority of three made a great difference to Mitcham's future. Mavis Biesanz, John Biesanz' wife, who took an interest in the sociology and psychology of racism in Fitzgerald, testifies to its impact: John is a sociologist. He went right over with Mrs. Sutton and David Cowley to welcome the Reverend to the neighborhood and found that this was the best thing that could have happened to Mr. Mitcham at that moment. The Marygrove Civic Association was about to call on him. When the Association representatives did come, they were a little taken aback to see the reinforcements. Mr. Mitcham, who is nobody 's fool, said to them, "Well, gentlemen, you gave me to understand that one hundred percent of the people want me out of the neighborhood , but here are some neighbors who have come to welcome me. So it can't be true." Thus, the Association was defeated. Afterwards Reverend Mitcham received only small resistance , in the form of a smattering of phone calls. One particularly confounded Mitcham; a hysterical woman said, "I cannot understand how in the world you can stand in a pulpit and preach about the love of Jesus and know what you are doing to our property values." Yet, though the arrival of the Mitchams did not provoke further resistance, it did stir many waves of change. The presence of Mrs. Mitcham had serious effects on Mavis Biesanz' luncheon group; the final effect, Mavis reports, was the dissolution of the group: We have been in the neighborhood fifteen years and felt proud that it was friendly and heterogeneous . I think the main manifestation of the friendliness was our luncheon group on these IV-1 I moved here from Indianapolis, Indiana, when I was transferred by my church. I wanted a home with good schools tor my two daughters, then ot junior high school age, proximity to shopping facilities and my church, and a house suitable for our style ot living. It was interesting that I took the house for what I would consider just ordinary American reasons. two streets...