A Child of the 1950's

Chapter Twelve - Marjorie, Barbara and Maxine

When I was small there was only black and white television. On the television at that time were films about slaves. Black slaves who were treated so badly by white people. One black celebrity in particular was always in these films and that was the artist, singer, Paul Robeson. He had a particularly fine, wonderful deep voice; a voice only black people could have. The best voices are black voices I find.

I was fascinated by black people as a little girl and grew to really love them. I hated the way they were treated in the films and thought how cruel and mean it was. How could anyone, whatever their colour or race, treat another human being in that way?

I think my fascination began at a younger age when I chose the black doll from the shop window, when the intention had been to buy a white, bride doll.

Having been brought up in the church we were taught to care for and to love everyone, no matter who. And this was borne out in my daily life as I lived in a very loving family. I was determined to love black people and people of other nationalities and not treat them in any bad way, ever!

When I was about ten, (probably 1962) there was no one to play with in the street. My friend Alan, who lived across the way in number 8 had long since found other interests and a little boy called Tony, who had lived opposite for about 2 years had come and gone. (I liked Tony, he was nice. A couple of years younger, but we got on well.  I remember he gave me a sailor doll, made of cloth. It was lovely and beautifully made. It had a well made face and a proper sailor suit and hat. It was probably a souvenir from a cruise ship, I would imagine).

I had my friends at school, of course, but I was so delighted and pleased when three little black girls called Marjorie, Barbara and Maxine Francis came to live in the street. I was so excited!

Their mother was a hairdresser and she was very attractive and their father was a bit older, as their mother was his second wife and he had a son by his first marriage. Their mother used to put corn rows in Maxine's hair. She was such a pretty little girl.

I became firm friends with the girls, who were all so sweet! Marjorie was about 8, Barbara 7 and Maxine was 4. Marjorie was allowed to come to Sunday School with me and I was so happy. I can remember playing games in the street, running around and also playing schools. I was the school teacher (obviously!) being the older, bossy one! I was in my element, I can tell you. Ha, ha!

They lived in our street for about three years, not sure really how long. Then they moved on, returning to London where they had originally come from. I felt very sad and unfortunately I lost touch with them, as you do.

I hope life treated them well as I loved them with all my heart. I couldn't bear the thought of anyone being unkind to them because of their African heritage or the colour of their skin. I hate racism, cruelty and unkindness. As far as I'm concerned we are all equal. The less clever among us or those who are different or disabled, need more love and understanding, not less.

I was not aware of it at the time, but there was much hatred towards the Caribbean people who came to Britain to help re-build the country after the war. I heard or saw nothing like that in our street, but I do know that they were treated so badly in general elsewhere in the country.

Signs were put up in lodging houses which said 'No Irish, No Black.' Mustn't it be awful to discriminated against, especially when you have uprooted yourself and your family to help re-build another country. And most of them, have worked very hard doing that for us. Working in hard jobs with unsociable hours at low pay.

I have a black and white picture of the girls with me in the street. I was so pleased when I found it looking through my old photos. (I had to laugh as I look a right mess!) I wonder if they remember me? Remembering them as I write this has made me feel quite emotional.

I need to learn how to scan photos onto my computer so I can post photographs into this book.