Goin’ Someplace Special by Patricia C. McKissack, Jerry Pinkney
There was a very special place, where young ’Tricia
Ann always loved to go to with her
grandmother. Today, ‘Tricia Ann decided that she had grown up enough to visit this place by herself. Her wise grandmother, Mama Frances, hesitated at first because in those days, meaning the South in the 1950’s, one needed much inner strength and vision to overcome the dark tyranny inflicted by those Jim Crow signs. ”White People Only”, or “Whites Only” hung prominently on park benches, inside of buses and in posh hotels. Nevertheless her grandmother, who her granddaughter well, relented. Mama Frances offered encouragement to as the youngster embarked on a path, that the older woman knew, would writhe with prejudice and heartache, but, then ultimately lead straight to joy.
How right Mama Frances would be! The grand site of her favorite fountain, the lush park, and the fancy hotel lobby always signified gaiety to ‘Tricia. But today however, as she paused to enjoy them, she
encountered severe consternation from bigoted strangers who placed great important to those “Whites Only” signs. Nowhere was she allowed to sit, and she certainly was not welcome to mingle. At times, she felt too much dismay to be able to reach her cherished destination. Fortunately, ‘Tricia encountered many familiar faces along the way who shared her grandmother’s wisdom, and helped her navigate through this tough course. She mustered all of her resolve and finally did arrive at her very favorite place – the public library. ‘Tricia’s spirits lifted as she remembered the sign on the front door allowing all people to enter. Yes, it was here in this fine majestic building, where anyone who wanted to could flourish, where ‘Tricia knew that she would never be “just a “colored girl”.