Racial tension was heating up in the mid-1950’s, and sometimes there was violence. In 1954, some Witnesses took offense when no black speakers were on the program at a number of district assemblies. We encouraged our black brothers to be patient. The following summer, I was assigned as a speaker. Thereafter, more black brothers in the South were on the programs.

In time, racial violence in the South diminished, and congregations gradually began to integrate. This required reassigning publishers to different congregations as well as adjusting congregation territories and the responsibilities of brothers having oversight. Some, both blacks and whites, did not favor the new arrangement. The majority, however, were impartial, as is our heavenly Father. In fact, many were close friends regardless of color. Our family had experienced that in the 1930’s and 1940’s while I was growing up.

[Picture on page 6]

Traveling overseers and their wives preparing for an integrated district convention, 1966