I grew up in Pass Christian, Ms and loved to ride down to the railroad station to watch the L&N's Humminbird come.
One very hot evening I was there and went inside to get a drink of water. The fountains each had a sign over reading 'White' or 'Colored' but the 'White' was not working so,
I went to the other fountain and got my thirst sated. You must understand that being
of American Indian heritage I did not think anything about this, plus 'The Pass' was pretty much open as were not other towns in Mississippi. So, while drinking, I heard the
voice of the stationmaster shouting at me: "Bernard, get away from there you'll get germs"!...i'm gonna call your mama and daddy if you don't!!
i finished my drink, turned around to the hard stares of those in the room and went outside to wait for the trains arrival. When I got home later, my mom told she had received a call from Mr. '---' but that I had done nothing wrong. You see, she had grown up in Oklahoma and had seen how the Indians (my people) had been treated.
i was 12 years of age at this time.
This has been quite an interesting thread to read and my thanks to its author for posting it.
