Former City Council member questions Norfolk's All-American status

25 February 1960

Joe Jordan and Evelyn Butts

Dear Editor:

            There’s unfinished business for an All-American city, Norfolk. It’s regrettable that our city – or any city – can be named “All-American” by making mere physical changes. What about the spiritual characteristics of Americanism?

            Shouldn’t an All-American city be one that best typifies the Four Freedoms? Should not such a city be one of the best example of the American Dream? “…that ALL men are created equal by their Creator and endowed with certain inalienable rights, among them are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?”

            Yes.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF AN ALL-AMERICAN CITY, NORFOLK

Something is missing in this All-American town

Cause Norfolk ain’t just right for me

Downtown lunch counters and movies aren’t American

White and colored

Can’t sit side by side

College gards look for jobs

“Go to the broom closet.”

“First small door on the right-in back.”

--But ain’t no dignity on the back

Or in front of the mop

What’s All-American about Norfolk

For folks that’s black?

Concrete and steel, however well arranged

It’s a pity.

Don’t make a jim crow town

An “All-American” city.

Respectfully submitted

JJ/mb

Editor's note: Attorney and civil rights activist, Joseph Jordan was the first African-American elected to Norfolk City council in 1968