Notes of thanks from students

Dear Mr. Clowney,
Thank you for taking time to speak with us as part of the Off the Map education research project. From my conversation with you, I learned about your experience in the Negro Leagues prior to the integration of professional baseball and your courage in the face of hate and prejudice during the era of Jim Crow, particularly the act of terroristic arson that destroyed your grade school in West Tennessee. I hope to use this knowledge to preserve the memory of trailblazers like you who overcame all odds in the fight for civil rights. With hateful ideology on the move yet again in this country, stories such as yours are more valuable than ever in reminding us not just of potential dangers but of the possibility for resilience in the face of those dangers. Thank you for your time and your lifelong struggle for justice.
Sincerely,
Henry 
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Dear Ms. Porter,
Thank you for taking time to speak with us as part of the Off the Map education research project. We really appreciated you coming and sharing your story. The courage and bravery it takes to not only survive such treatment but educate youth about the horrors of the past is inspiring.
From our conversation with you, I learned that….
Such horrific events that we usually associate with distant history are not so distant. It was eye-opening to think that my peers’ grandparents and all of our bosses and leaders were in high school during a time of such intense racism.

I hope to use this knowledge to….
Educate others about Maryville’s history of segregation.
Sincerely,

Off the Map student
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Dear Ms. Clowney,

Thank you for taking time to speak with me as part of the Off the Map education research project. From my conversation with you, I learned about the struggles of being an African American female student at a majority white and male institution during the 1950s as well as what life was like in general in Maryville and Alcoa at the time. Your courage and determination are absolutely invaluable to the struggle for justice in Tennessee and the nation as a whole, and I was humbled and honored to have the opportunity to hear you tell your story. I hope to help bring the heroic story of the Maryville Six to the light through this project, and your eager cooperation was integral to this process. Thank you again, immeasurably, for your time and most importantly your contribution to the betterment of this community.

Sincerely,
Henry ​
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Dear Mr. Morton,
Thank you for taking time to speak with us as part of the Off the Map education research project. We enjoyed talking to you and hearing about the history of Maryville and Founder’s Square.
From our conversation with you, I learned that the Founder’s Square area served as a hub of activity because of the businesses that were there. I also learned how the area changed over time when it became a parking lot and the reasons why many businesses shifted towards Midland Plaza. The pictures and records you shared with us were very helpful in getting an idea of how Founder’s Square actually looked and just how vibrant the area was at the time.
I hope to use this knowledge to accurately represent Founder’s Square so that others can imagine it how it was and understand how important it was for Maryville’s development. I also am excited to be able to tell family and friends about it anytime we are in the downtown area.
Sincerely,

Katherine