Voices from the Past

Growing up in a segregated world, in Brooklyn, NY Dona Marshall experienced things

that this generation wouldnt even think possible. Very difficult, very narrow, people were very
narrow minded. In kindergarten I didnt know the difference between having black or white
friends. One day I was invited by this little white girl to her birthday party. They wanted to cut
my hair so, they took a pair of scissors and cut off one of my braids. Being exposed to this at a
young age made her view the world she lived in a different way. Having experienced something
so unjust she knew she had to make her voice heard.
While growing up Marshall witnessed all types of protest and marches which triggered
her passion to be part of it. In college I did get arrested. In my college at, Buffalo State we did
sit-ins and I got arrested for doing a sit-in in the presidents office. I was very scared when I did
get arrested, wondering how long I was going to be in jail, or worried about my parents.
Although the fear of getting caught was there, things like this needed to be done in order
to be heard or see change. Marshall also talks about her experience attending the March on
Washington. She describes this as one of the best days of her life taking those buses from
Brooklyn to D.C. to attend this historic march.
She describes the atmosphere of the movement to be something unforgettable and proud
she got to be apart of something so life changing.
Marshall expresses her feeling of the movement of something that was mandatory and
that something needed to be done in order to see change in society. Wasnt really a feeling,
because we knew it was wrong and wanted to make it right. The Movement was just that making

a wrong right. It was a necessary thing. Marshall knew that injustice was going on and that
being part of a moment like this was a must.
Throughout her life she talks about the many activist who influenced her life such a
Malcolm X, Matin Luther King Jr., Stokely Carmichael, and poets who had a big impact on her
life and change her view on society during this time. Malcolm X, for what he stood for we
should have freedom of speech and be able to walk among everyone else equally. Martin Luther
King Jr. as well, I was good friends with his daughter Yolanda King. She passed away in 2007.
Stokely Carmichael and poets as well because of their written word changed my outlook during
Civil Rights Era.
Growing up in this era gave her a closer outlook on the movement. She was able to
witness things and see things firsthand during this time period.
Dona Marshall was able to experience and witness a change in society and be part of it as
well and her participation brought a segregated nation equality, because every voice and every
action counts.

Dona Marshall celebrating her cousins birthday at Elbertas Restaurant

Photo taken by: Anita Rodgers