Introduction
Although the Cotton Vote was successful as an organizing event, the manner in which the votes were tallied prevented the election of any of the black candidates. With the Cotton Vote and Freedom Vote in the past, I resumed where I had left off in connecting federal programs work with the needs of people in individual projects. This meant travelling to projects around the state. Over the next few months I visited different projects, listening to and then later researching complaints about applications by Black residents that were mishandled or ignored by local agencies.
dear mama and daddy,
The work is getting pretty busy now, because everything in the movement works on either a crisis tine scheme, or delayed action. That means that either things are done instantaneouslyy because they are crucial, or it takes a while for things to sink in. with the programs I have been working on, it has taken time for the idea to sink in. First I had to go around to the projects and talk to the people there so that they would trust me, because they mistrust the central office, like all good independent souls. I had to tell them that federal programs would be different, would answer its letters and come when it said it would come. Then I had to send out information on programs, government leaflets, and memos. About three weeks back the results started puring in, a barrage of requests from projects to come to them and explain like how to start a rural credit union, a farmer's coop, get loans for farm improvement, housing, and fight legally the practices of the welfare agency and social security admin. in mississippi. I have a list of ten projects now I am scheduled to as soon as possible. I will be taking renee to the coast with me for a for days and maybe to delta., anyway, that's what I'm doing. I am teaching people how to attack the government when it is mistreating them, and get what is possible from the government. That's about it. I like my work and my health is fine. don't know when will be coming home. Not immediately, but probably in another couple of months.
love,
[Signed]
elayne