Letter 20

Irene Douglas Crosses the Color Line

January 19, 1942

Dear Marcus--

Received your letter -- it sure made me feel good. -- particularly the good news you may get up here in March. Would I be happy to see you -- gosh I would love to see you Marcus. I have so much to tell you.

Marcus you talk of a picture -- those small ones only show the face -- and I had one taken full length in the park -- it was terrible. I'll get one - though --

Marcus -- I wish you can come to N.Y. -- please try with all your might. Someday -- I intend to live in New Orleans but at present -- I'm not allowed to travel -- this is January only about 50 more days it will be March -- and then the weather starts getting warmer. You and sunshine -- gosh that will be happy moments.

My mother gave me heck the other day. She said I had not changed. All my mind is on is travel and New Orleans. I want her to like you Marcus -- I told her you were colored, remember I wrote and told you of it. She said is he very light. I said no ma -- dark -- very dark. She don't object -- yet she doesn't pat me on the back either -- Somehow I love honesty -- I feel that what I feel in my heart, my beliefs are not to be bitter.

I don't tell my mother how much you really mean to me. I just tell her you an artist friend, a writer with a very wonderful mind whom I respect! --Yes Marcus I miss you. When you come to N.Y. we will have a long talk -- I wrote so foolishly -- that it is better I speak instead -- I have never found anyone -- whose mind was so rich to me as yours. -- and Marcus when you do my sort of work -- portrait sketching you meet a lot of interesting minds.

To date -- I haven't gone out with anyone. Oh maybe a ride home to Jersey in a car -- but not even a good night kiss. It's been so long since -- I have been out with a man -- that -- I have become sort of finicky. -- Maybe I respect myself -- maybe it's that I don't want to kiss anyone -- unless they really mean something to me. You see Marcus I told you I wrote foolish letters.

Give little Velma my love -- she is such a sweet little child -- also give my best regards to your sister.

I am sorry to hear you have lost your good friend Marion -- it's tough -- life just hands out punches left and right. Marcus you know you just couldn't marry any woman. You want some-one -- who really understands your work. How is the India girl? See her yet?

Well Marcus I'll close now, I must get ready for work -- I'll write again soon. Please write me soon.

And I pray you may come to the north.

God bless you and keep you well and happy and give you what your heart really wants. 

Irene Douglas

P.S. I didn't know you had over-worked Marcus -- take it easy baby -- don't over do it. Relax plenty -- the body must be kept healthy. It is very important -- when one has a crackup -- much time is lost. They didn't expect me to live -- but God bless me I did -- So Marcus take care of yourself.

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