May 23, 1963 -
Dear Beth;
This is just a note to thank you so very much
for taking the time to write the full and moving account
of what has been happening to you and what you have been
doing and feeling* And, don!t ever apologize for, amotion
• , .for feeling* Everything worth while is accomplished
because~~and only because—sojaie, one felt strongly about
it, God knows you111 suffer more if you feel. Ioufll
carry everyone elsefs wrongs and injustices because you
can feel for them* . .feel with them* But, you111 live*
not exist. And you stand much more chance of leaving a
mark, on the world and in the hearts of others.
As you see, I can get emotional myself* 1 know,
though, that part of that is frustration with myself* * •
discontent that 1 sit here and talk and let you. go out
and do what, I should be doing for myself. I wonft bore
you with my excuses, largely because I can see through
them myself. They are all mixed up with security and
responsibilities and I am trapped in them*. My time of
fire and action is past. I must continue to do what
little I can in the path I have chosen for myself. <
But, that Is one reason why I can identify so
strongly with what you feel and what you have done.
T, too, had my time of marching and picket lines in*
another time and another cause* I have never regretted
it and I know it has been valuable to me in understanding
[Letter of thanks & advice from Mr. Bjornsgard to Beth Taylor ]
Date
1963-05-23
Creator
Bjornsgaard, Frank
Biographical/historical note
Frank Bjornsgaard was the editor of the Monthly Meeting Newsletter for the Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Quaker meeting, in the hometown of Guilford College student Beth Taylor.
Subject headings
Guilford College;Greensboro (N.C.) -- Race relations;Protest movements -- United States
Topics
Business desegregation, protests, and marches, 1963;Race relations at Guilford College
Place
Greensboro (N.C.)
Description
This letter from Frank Bjornsgaard to Beth Taylor thanked her for sharing a written account of her experience with the sit-in at the S&W Cafeteria in Greensboro, NC. Bjornsgaard also offered advice regarding how to continue her work and deal with the emotions and frustrations that came with such actions in a community that was not, in her eyes, fully supportive. This correspondence is significant as it provided an outsiders view on the situation and especially on the relationship between Taylor and those at Guilford College who she saw as unsupportive of her involvement in demonstrations for civil rights.
Type
text
Original format
correspondence
Original dimensions
8.348" x 10.828"
Original publisher
[Place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified]
Language
en
Contributing institution
Friends Historical Collection, Hege Library, Guilford College
May 23, 1963 -
Dear Beth;
This is just a note to thank you so very much
for taking the time to write the full and moving account
of what has been happening to you and what you have been
doing and feeling* And, don!t ever apologize for, amotion
• , .for feeling* Everything worth while is accomplished
because~~and only because—sojaie, one felt strongly about
it, God knows you111 suffer more if you feel. Ioufll
carry everyone elsefs wrongs and injustices because you
can feel for them* . .feel with them* But, you111 live*
not exist. And you stand much more chance of leaving a
mark, on the world and in the hearts of others.
As you see, I can get emotional myself* 1 know,
though, that part of that is frustration with myself* * •
discontent that 1 sit here and talk and let you. go out
and do what, I should be doing for myself. I wonft bore
you with my excuses, largely because I can see through
them myself. They are all mixed up with security and
responsibilities and I am trapped in them*. My time of
fire and action is past. I must continue to do what
little I can in the path I have chosen for myself. <
But, that Is one reason why I can identify so
strongly with what you feel and what you have done.
T, too, had my time of marching and picket lines in*
another time and another cause* I have never regretted
it and I know it has been valuable to me in understanding
