(no subject)
Allie Berta
Tessa Brown
Tyson Brown
Melissa Pace
Script
Narrator: It is February 28, 1939 Easter Sunday. Marian Anderson has just finished performing on the steps of the Lincoln memorial. Two women are walking in the park until they run into a mutual friend. Conversation of the days happenings are immediately sparked.
Woman 1: That was a very powerful show. So many men, women and children, of all colors, together for this one cause. I even felt moved.
Woman 2: Yes, I know what you mean. What a large crowd, I had no idea the turn out would be this enormous!
:: An estimated 75,000 people attended the performance::
[The two women run into their mutual friend and her husband]
Woman 1: Marie! So you decided to come out today and see the festivities.
[The women hug and Charles kisses the ladies hands]
Marie: Yes, Charles and I thought that since we were in the city we should come see Ms. Anderson sing. I can’t believe the amount of people that came!
Woman 2: I know! Especially on such a bitter cold day.1
Charles: This is all somewhat ridiculous I didn’t think Mrs. Roosevelt would take things this far. What a horrible reputation the Daughters of the American Revolution must have now.
Maries Well something had to be done! Sure publicly resigning from the DAR was bold, but this will be remembered.
[Everyone looks shocked at the outburst, while Maries looks surprised at herself and her actions]
Woman 1: [sensing awkwardness] Ah well either way, this was quite the large event. Just across there [all look back at Lincoln memorial] history was made, good or bad.
Charles: I need to sit down, my knee is going out, and my knee’s not what it used to be since the war.
[All sit down]
Woman 2: What I think is remarkable is the difference of the Roosevelt administration to the Wilson administration. Mrs. Wilson would have never organized something like this.
:: President Wilson and his wife were very racist. They even hosted the leader of the KKK for tea. ::
Woman 1: Mrs. Roosevelt is defiantly different from Mrs. Wilson.
Charles: Well I sure know President Roosevelt has lost a good amount of Southern votes from this alone. He has tried to distance himself away from this as much as possible. What a handful she must be!
:: This was definitely not the first act Eleanor Roosevelt had taken in the name of African American’s. Trying to keep his position neutral, Theodore Roosevelt kept attention from his wife’s actions away from himself. ::
Marie: Tomorrow, I promise you everything that’s happened today will be all over the newspaper. I wonder what Eleanor will put in her My Day column about today. Just yesterday she announced her resignation from the DAR.
:: She actually wrote “They have taken an action which has been widely talked of in the press. To remain as a member implies approval of that action, and therefore I am resigning.”
Woman 2: Yes, I read that also.
Woman 1: That and just everything that she’s done really stands for equality for the coloreds.
Woman 2: Just look at us talking about it, and the effect it has had on only us. Imagine the direct effect it has had on other people.
[All are silent for 1 second]
Charles: Heh, I’m assuming the DAR will now be forced to open their minds and eyes a little more. They will probably have Marian perform after all.
Marie: What if Eleanor had not taken a stand on what happened. This chain reaction that is happening would not be happening. The DAR would have denied Marian Anderson, and that would have been the end of it.
Charles: I know I wouldn’t have given it much of a thought past a week.
Woman 2: This is going to enlighten something in society.
Woman 1: Well we should be getting on our way. I’m so glad we bumped into both of you.
Marie: It was wonderful seeing you too!
Woman 2: Farewell!
Charles: Good day.
Narrator: Following this performance The Daughters of the American Revolution changed their policies on African Americans, and invited Marian Anderson to perform at their constitution Hall. Many say this performance set up by Eleanor Roosevelt was a push towards the civil rights movement. Eleanor continued her quest for racial equality until her death.