“White Only” Sign

My Day
By Dr. J. Ester Davis
Esterdavis2000@gmail.com

“It is history. It is not critical race theory.

It is a critical race fact”.  JWP

In the continental USA, John Wiley Price, the name and the man needs no introduction.  His actions are clearly unmatched, dialogue unmistakably understood,  his service to the people of Dallas County exemplary, and his ‘art of appearances’ ready for print in any couture magazine.  On Thursday, August 18, 2022, under the watchful eye of the invited public, the legendary county servant, rededicated the ‘white only” Water Fountain Sign,  in the newly renovated Dallas County Courthouse.

“We Come This Far by Faith” escorted his opening words filling the halls of the Dallas County Courthouse with a beloved hymn….  ‘We come this by faith….leaning on the Lord..

Trusting in his Holy Word, …he’s never failed me yet…Oh—OOOh—OOOh—can’t turn around, we come this far by faith.’  Several in attendance knew the words written by Albert A. Goodson published first in 1956. Some did not.  Soon there was a hand cadence with a beat all in joyous mixed harmony.  Commissioner Price was flanked by two other commissioners who shared words of their support for all history.  His next words expressed ‘thanks’ to parents who bought their young with their cell phones, of course, to this factual making event. It is interesting to note that we could not find another county program like it on the world wide web.  A publication was shared with all “If These Walls Could Talk”, the Dallas County Records Building Complex, historic panels, markers and objects.  The Commissioner alluded to other findings in the building that would be forthcoming for history to view.

Robert Pitre, a local tenured business owner says to me, you know how this all got started.  Well, he came down to the courthouse on business one day.  Some of the black employees …just in conversation remarked about having to look at the ‘white only’ sign every day.  Mr. Pitre, sought the advice and wisdom of Dr. Terry Flowers, Headmaster at St. Phillips School, who arranged a field trip for his students to go see the sign.  This rites of passage awaken something in the students. So lead by Jordan Pitre, the students returned to speak before the commissioners about the sign. And . . . the rest is history.

Sidebar:  Attention: Dr. Flowers.  I hope I am correct remembering you are from South Side Chicago.

Were these signs also in your childhood Chicago?

Again, thank you Commissioner for your consistency.

It is history.

Look on Youtube https://m.youtube.com/watch?v+D2S9pwNWIQ

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