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Mamie ClarkMamie Clark
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Session:         Page of 100

Clark:

To tell you the truth, I don't remember what he was accused of. I don't remember. Because they took him out of the penitentiary, so he wasn't out, to rape anybody or kill anybody. They just ran into the jail and dragged him out. I don't remember what he was accused of. I'm sure he was accused of something. I don't remember.

Q:

You describe this as having been a chilling experience or having had a chilling reaction. Did this have a traumatic effect on you? How long did this reaction last with you?

Clark:

Well, I can sense the emotion of it now. You know, I can sense the fright of it -- now.

And then, there was another time when the Klu Klux Klan came into the city, and it was the same thing -- you know, a sense of panic and fright on everybody's part. And you just remember it. I didn't see them, mind you, but I can see it.

Q:

The imagery.

Clark:

Yes, the imagery of the Klu Klux Klan in these white sheets biding on these horses through the main street.

Q:

Did your mother or father talk to you about this afterwards?

Clark:

Oh yes. They were quite outraged. Everybody was outraged. Everybody talked about it. You know, people went to people's houses, and back and forth, within the neighborhood, to really express -- they couldn't do anything. Everybody was helpless, really. But they could express outrage, which is what they did.





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