Depositions and Investigations
Morris had a cousin named Sarah Griggs who worked at the YMCA's
central branch and Morris paid a visit one day. He asked for literature
on the YMCA and questions about how the YMCA worked. But none
of this was helpful to the case and on June 11, documents were
subpoenaed and depositions taken.
There were several branches throughout the city and hardly any
of them had a black population despite the location in a predominantly
black area. There was only one branch open to blacks and that
was the Cleveland avenue branch. And in that branch all were black
except for a few and those people weren't really members. They
never went to the Y, just donated money.
During the deposition, Bill Chandler acknowledged that the Y
was segregated but there was no set policy on segregation. He
later then said that he didn't want anyone to feel awkward or
rather "ill at ease." Despite the recent legislature many people
still chose to remain segregated. Not many black people chose
to venture out and cross the boundary into formerly white territory.
Chandler said that there were plans to build a black camp, therefore
eliminating this awkwardness. But this was done by eliminating
the interaction and not treating the awkwardness.
Two weeks after the lawsuit was filed, Vincent and Edward Smith
along with many other black families in Montgomery received letters
from the YMCA regarding summer camp. Vincent and Edward had been
accepted and other black kids were receiving invitations. But
Mary Louis knew better. She wasn't satisfied. Earlier in 1955,
Mary Louise had refused to give up her seat on a bus and was arrested
and convicted. She was denied justice then and her son had been
denied justice in 1969. She didn't want anymore justice denied.
She ignored the acceptance letters and let the suit proceed.
Rod Nachman cross examining Mary Louise in court.
Q: Have you decided to send your son to Camp Belser?
A: If he be able to go and providing regardless of race, color,
or creed any other child being able to go and enjoying all the
facilities that is offered them, I will be more than glad to send
my child.
Q: What damages have you suffered…?
A: Well, he may be accepted on conditions that he may go and just,
you know, go there and maybe another neighbor's child wouldn't
be able to go, you know. Just because we have went there and they
might accept our child, and maybe my neighbor wants to send their
child and they won't accept them. That's the way I look at it.
Q: I see. Then this is what you state are the damages you have
suffered? A: Discrimination. (115)
