p. 49

January 5, 1968

Miss Sheila Washington
2814 North 9th Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53206

Dear Miss Washington:

Thank you so much for your very thoughtful letter, and your expression of support for our campaign for meaningful fair housing legislation. I appreciate, more than you know, your good wishes, and your awareness of an concern with this major issue within your local government. When things look particularly bleak, it is letters like yours which often give me the lift I need to go on; but we will go on, as long as necessary, to achieve a just and meaningful law.

As to the Black Christmas, I am just terribly sorry that the whole project seems to have been so badly misunderstood. Its purpose was not to abolish Christmas, but to create an economic boycott on white merchants. It was meant, through doing away with all of the expensive, and un-necessary trimmings, to return Christmas to the church and the home where it really belongs. However, as with all of our activities, participation in the Black Christmas was entirely voluntary. No one in any of our organizations used threats to insure participation, and I am sincerely sorry to hear that some misguided, and anonymous individuals did feel called upon to intimidate those people who chose not to join with us.

Once again, my profound thanks for your concern and your support. And may I encourage you to continue your interest in civic affairs and your local government. I wish you the very best of luck in your studies and in your future undertakings as well.

Sincerely,

Vel R. Phillips
Alderman 6th Ward

VRP: mjc