DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Virginia Harper NAACP Correspondence, 1971-1996 | 1971-07-12 Miss Virginia Harper to Mr. Matthew T. Jackson, Jr. Page 2

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Virginia Harper NAACP Correspondence, 1971-1996

1971-07-12 Miss Virginia Harper to Mr. Matthew T. Jackson, Jr. Page 2

720 - 7th Street
Jluy 12, 1971
Mr. Matthew T. Jackson, Jr. 103244
Box 316
Fort Madison, Iowa 52627
Dear Mr. Jackson,
Your letter of July 15th was received. It is clear, to me, that you misunderstood the meaning of my letter, so I will attempt to explain, to you, again.
I have written you, as the representative of an organization, the NAACP. As a member of that organization, it is my duty to refer you to someone or some agency which will be able to help you. That is what I was trying to do when I referred you to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. My contact with you, is not personal, but because of my duties as Administrative Secretary of the local Branch, I am in the position of taking care of correspondence.
Mr. Jackson, I am not afraid to come and visit you, as you say. Rather, I have explained to you, how we handle the visits from the Branch. Our representative visited you, as you requested. In the meantime, we have been working with Mr. Kelly of the State NAACP trying to figure out how we might capably take care of the requests for help which we have received. We realize that it seems as if a long time has passed, and we wish there were some way to take short cuts and reach a solution. However, that is not the way things are, so we are trying!
'The only way to keep being "put down" by the Black brother and sister, is to sit back and do nothing. If I were doing nothing, you would have no answer to "put me down". Because we are trying and are not doing things just as you think they should be done,...you feel we aren't doing anything. I am sorry you feel this way'. You will be hearing from the NAACP, in the future, because I am certain that our present efforts will be fruitful ans will really help everyone who is concerned.
Sincerely,
(Miss) Virginia Harper
Branch Administrative Secretary

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720 - 7th Street Jluy 12, 1971 Mr. Matthew T. Jackson, Jr. 103244 Box 316 Fort Madison, Iowa 52627 Dear Mr. Jackson, Your letter of July 15th was received. It is clear, to me, that you misunderstood the meaning of my letter, so I will attempt to explain, to you, again. I have written you, as the representative of an organization, the NAACP. As a member of that organization, it is my duty to refer you to someone or some agency which will be able to help you. That is what I was trying to do when I referred you to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. My contact with you, is not personal, but because of my duties as Administrative Secretary of the local Branch, I am in the position of taking care of correspondence. Mr. Jackson, I am not afraid to come and visit you, as you say. Rather, I have explained to you, how we handle the visits from the Branch. Our representative visited you, as you requested. In the meantime, we have been working with Mr. Kelly of the State NAACP trying to figure out how we might capably take care of the requests for help which we have received. We realize that it seems as if a long time has passed, and we wish there were some way to take short cuts and reach a solution. However, that is not the way things are, so we are trying! 'The only way to keep being "put down" by the Black brother and sister, is to sit back and do nothing. If I were doing nothing, you would have no answer to "put me down". Because we are trying and are not doing things just as you think they should be done,...you feel we aren't doing anything. I am sorry you feel this way'. You will be hearing from the NAACP, in the future, because I am certain that our present efforts will be fruitful ans will really help everyone who is concerned. Sincerely, (Miss) Virginia Harper Branch Administrative Secretary