Vgsvf

Benjamin O. Davis SR.


April 20, 1955

          Dearest Mother,

          So much has changed since my last letter to you since my teenage years, Mom. You would
have to see it to believe it. I just turned 39 and for my birthday, I got a television for the home.
The family and I love to watch “I Love Lucy” whenever it is on.   I wish you could have met your
grandchildren. They are great kids and even with the times changing they still are very
respectful and they have good heads on their shoulders. I am always amused when they get
ready in the morning though, Mom, because you could swear they have a can of oil slicking
their hair back. Apparently that paired with a leather jacket is “cool” though, so I guess I will
just have to get used to it. (McCann)
          The main issue that everyone has been talking about for the last few years has been
segregation. Just last year, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to rule segregation in public
schools unconstitutional. Although segregation is still prominent, it is getting better and I have
a feeling that one day it will be significantly better, even if it is never completely resolved.
          My friend was also able to get a job doing secretarial work for some extra money to take
home. I assume that since a decent amount of women can have jobs outside of the house now,
that is contributing to the gas prices getting higher. It recently passed 10cents/gallon. It seems
like any day now it could pass a quarter/gallon. Let’s hope it does not get any higher than that,
though. (McCann)
          Before the end of my letter, I wanted to tell you some amazing news. Dad (Benjamin O.  
Davis SR.) became the first black soldier to hold the rank of General in the Army. This happened
in 1940, right around the time he turned 63. You can probably only imagine the controversy
this caused, not only because dad is black but also because this all happened about a month
before... [continues]

Read full essay