Anita Lawson Research Paper

My reality is more powerful than reality. I am familiar with the challenges that blacks have faced in America; literacy tests to vote, denial of education and mental degrading. However, many have persevered in these circumstances. What I did not realize is that I have many heroes in my family who excelled despite the circumstances; one of which is my great grandmother who inspires me.
Antee Anita Lawson, was born in 1918. she has experienced many of the issue’s I learned about in history regarding blacks, African Americans, negroes or whatever labels blacks received through the years. She always said just call me by my given name.
Consequently, through extensive conversation I have learned many things about MaTee (as she is affectionately

called), first hand. For my Fifth grade project on voting, she advised me that she cast her first presidential vote for Franklin D. Roosevelt, but she had to take a literacy test to prove she was smart enough to vote; by counting the marbles in the jar. She also told me about meeting Robert Kennedy as he campaigned for President; she still has the picture. She survived sthrough the great depression by growing her own food, along with transporting others in the community to the city, by way of horse and buggy.
She sought diligently to own her own place but she had to find someone who would be willing to sell to blacks. She said not all folks are bad, you have to find the right one. A white farmer sold her 60 acres of land in the 50’s. She denied herself everything to pay off the farm in 5 years. She then sold lots of lands to friends and family who also wanted to own their own homes.

Here hands sold and brittle through manual laborer, until she was able to advance her skills. MaTee and other ladies in the community were offered the opportunity to earn a college degree in teaching. She rode the train from Hancock County to Chatham county weekly for 2 years, with my grandfather in tow, to earn her degree from the Georgia Teacher’s college; now Savannah State University.
However, the civil rights area is very difficult for her to talk about in depth My mother asked and only a hard grimace showed across her face. The memories are too painful. I could imagine the hardship and degradation by the wrinkles in her face.
She was born 50 years out of slavery, her first transportation was a horse and buggy, she graduated from high school, college, became a teacher, traveled and raised a son during some of the most tumultuous times in American history; you have got to give her something for that. Now, we are on the sidelines cheering her on as she is approaching 100 years of life, and struggles to remember all the experiences that have made her who she is. I encourage everyone to identify the history in your family and share it. I learned that I come from good stock. What I take from my Great Grandmother‘s experiences is No Excuses!