After The Teargassing Of First African Baptist Church

As I continue to look back 50 years ago, I remember my now late mother Ada Bell Amerson tried to stop me from being involved in the Civil Rights struggles.She, like some others, was afraid we would be killed. But I told her, "Momma I got to do this."I remember one Monday night after the church had been teargassed we had a mass meeting. Even though momma was afraid, I talked her into going. My mother was a humorous person.

After the service was over we song "We Shall Overcome" and when we got to the  "We Are Not Afraid", momma looked at me and said, "I'm scared as hell." Momma is now at home with the Lord where there is no fear. Rest in peace Momma.