Transcript | Annotation |Source:89-4286-C-3-A-1 (####) | Month Index
Now that the large group of guests have gone, conditions are more relaxed. We are still supposed to keep the cottages closed up, but the doors were not locked today. The electricity is still off.
I wrote a memo to Eva on yesterday’s meal service. Edith Parks put in another note to Eva about Barbara Smith’s habits. She kept her pee bottle in the cottage today uncovered.
For lunch we had soup, bread and an orange.
Lois and I met our separate classes. I gave my group some reading print first, having each one read a page or two so that I could see whether they were reading books at the right level. Then I went over the news, expecting a test tonight.
Don Freed was expected to visit the school today. Becky told me but he didn’t get up till 2.00 when he had lunch. I heard he didn’t feel well, probably suffered from ‘jet lag’ and was treated by the med dept. Edith Parks told me he inquired about our policy on dating. She thinks he may be interested in Annie Moore.
I had my shower.
I worked on the African map sitting on my bed which was difficult because the lights were off. I counted the outlines of some of the countries which did not fit when put on the sheet. Made some copies of the ones which seem to be right.
Went to dinner at 5.15. It was an excellent meal: cassava cooked in a batter with gravy pieces of pork and vegetables and greens, pudding and an orange.
Went to the pavilion to be ready for the rally.
Was in a seat saved for me beside Eddie Washington and Gertrude Nailer. Jerry Bailey was moving people around. She didn’t want anyone in front near Don Freed who would go to sleep. She asked me to take a seat directly behind the front row on the left in which she was to sit.
Jerry and Amanda changed peoples seats so as to remove from the front rows those who a tendency to go to sleep. Instructions were passed on that we were not to stand or salute when Jim came in. The orchestra opened with what seemed to be a semi-classical number. Other musical numbers included Apostolic Singers. Jim came on platform in red shirt. Don Freed with escorts entered, sat in row in front of us. We sang United Forever. When we got to the “V” signal, Jim told us to put away our Vs. “He’s a socialist.” We put up our fists. Variations did several numbers including our beautiful Soulsteppers and Bowled Move. Soulsteppers danced,
Don Freed- city of truth, invisible government, in Jonestown have transcended a revolutionary reality, set up a correction assume America became the “name of a new disease.” War in Vietnam, Watergate scandals, organized violence, part of state, common denominator, concept of the right to know: Greeks, an absolute need.
King, like other tragedies that call out for retribution. Years of have not. 90% of the people reject the official explanation. They are metaphors for an everyday explanation. Grace Walden, story how she was recused. Ray was a small time crook, had a code not to inform. Book by George McMillan, The Making of an Assassin, connection with Mrs. Priscilla McMillan Johnson. Connection with Stalin’s daughter, paramilitary journalism. The anatomy of a lie, diet of lies, subterfuge. House Select Committee set up. FBI had King in electronic cage. King executed, when he had become a world leader. Had attacked Vietnam, and discussed African nations; FBI, etc., called him pre-revolutionary. FBI spent $7 million on King, called him most dangerous man in America. “Destroy King” squad centered in Atlanta. “Zorro” King’s code name. Black members being blackmailed. Sex: most of the evidence faked. King had come out against imperialism, emphasized economics. In Memphis American workers strike turned violent. McCullough: undercover Memphis FBI provocateur. Robert Byrd said MLK lose trail of violence. Charge MLK with conducting a lay in. Gave news services stories to be fed to the press. Forced him into black hotel.
Mark Lane puts in his own money. Hopes for use of truth. No doubt Ray will receive a trial. Ray has a clear clean consciousness. There is treason in the land. But not a foreign stab in the back. 10-20 million people identify with the ruling class. Intend to ventilate these murders. 88% of American people fear most intelligence agencies using? For their own purposes.
Question: If your own life in danger. First question; always assassination is a last option. It signifies weakness. Kennedy assassination meant to unleash Cuban attack. Depoliticized American became a madhouse. Orwell. A few people kept their sanity. Freed: “Why would a peaceful community offer a threat?” Jonestown a threat but why should it lead to violence, instead of political struggle?
Jim: Postpone agricultural reports until we have something success. Mentioned weather.
Not so optimistic as he is. Jim not as hopeful as he. Offers sanctuary to Freed’s son and any others.
Jim: on necessity of money raising.
Jim: on possibility of getting Stoen in court. His leadership depends on Stoen’s respectability. Defaming project of conspiracy. Dollars to every minister in Guyana, etc. Possibility of Jim’s going back to some states to raise money.
Jim appealed to creativity for getting money. Agricultural not the only answer. Have to have something to mass produce.
We have eliminated racism, sexism, nearly elitism. Have to keep our eyes open for it. Your children have to get the same treatment as others.
Guyana Chronicle editor left note when he left: “An example all should follow.” Another wrote, “Astounding.”
“In some ways I am glad they did shoot at us.” Or in this little paradise we might have forgotten the fight.
Freed offered at the end of his talk to continue to talk and answer questions of those who were interested. My general impression was that Freed was too optimistic, too naïve in expecting that an investigation, no matter how thorough, would be permitted to affect the political climate appreciably. I thought he underrated the lengths to which the capitalist establishment will go to assure their profits and favored economic position Jim talked at some length. He used a great many obscenities, no doubt to convince Freed that we are not religious.
Mentioning the owl movie which is shown every night, Jim said he was concerned that the people who attend, work well on their jobs the next day. He asks for checking on this.
Jim said he wanted to have some conversation with Freed and went away with him. It was only about 11.00 o’clock.
I spoke to Dick Tropp on the way out, told him I would like to have him bring Don Freed around to my class. He could see us play a game in connection with our African map. Dick Tropp said he might be able to but complained that Don Freed was “erratic.” Probably he was reflecting only on his rising hour.
The lights were on when we got home. I wasn’t very sleepy. There was much noise outside. I got up to go to the bathroom once. Finally went to sleep.