Editor, Commonwealth:
In the wake of the 50th anniversary of Freedom Summer, I’d like to share a recent experience of mine.
I took my wife and 19-year-old daughter to the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast for a two-day getaway. When I booked the hotel, I requested a room with a seaside view, which was granted upon additional payment. The hotel was quaintly located in Long Beach. The staff was very polite and made sure that we felt right at home.
The following evening, my wife and daughter decided to swim in the hotel’s pool, and I went along to watch. Once arriving at poolside, I noticed several people sitting in chairs in various locations around the pool and six to eight people already in the pool (all Caucasian).
Once my wife and daughter entered the pool, a lot of the people looked frustrated. Within two minutes, everyone who was in the pool got out and left, and everyone who was sitting poolside left.
At this point, my wife and daughter had the pool to themselves. After swimming a while, we went back to our room, and I immediately looked out the window. Amazingly, all those who had left had returned to the pool, and it was business as usual. I felt like I was back in the ’60s.
I didn’t mention the name of the hotel because it’s not the hotel’s fault. It’s the people who must change their hearts.
Johnny Langdon Sr.
Greenwood
