Mavis Staples tells a harrowing story about Mississippi in the 1960s

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[@rosahodge420]

Lord our elders have endured so much just....TO BE. . Thank you Mrs. Staples for sharing this story and continuing the struggle. Like Nina Simone said...Mississippi...Gotdamn

[@nigelcampbell5449]

No different today, same thing.

[@stanleyglover5534]

Rosa Hodge This is what we take for granted. Each time you come across these hateful stories you lose your composure. Huge sacrifices made, careers lost and lives lost for us . Nina Simone . Rest ln Peace ☮️

[@tonyz6421]

@@nigelcampbell5449 oh really? Tell it to obama

[@Koloviv48i]

@@tonyz6421 No different today.

[@tonyz6421]

@@Koloviv48i How IS that? You're simply a race baiter. You way was paved long ago, but you still want to cut to the head of the line. Screw you!

[@Jam-m7m]

Much love to Miss Mavis Staples and Pops Staples. My father used to own a small cafe in Oklahoma in 1959. On night after the restaurant closed my father found a young black man hiding in the back of the restaurant. He was bloodied up from the police. The young black man told my father his story and my father believed him. My father drove this young man to safety after cleaning him up. My father and mother never said a discouraging word about any other race.

[@michaelhudson6565]

God bless Pops !!! RIP

[@rosilynmakeba1092]

She said Pops knocked some blood outta that dude! Go 'head Pops, I ain't mad at *ALL!*

[@4leafclover611]

I would love to sit and talk to miss mavis

[@sadhvacman7238]

As a white musician born in 74, the first time I ever really knew of Mavis Staples, apart from unknowingly knowing her voice from their hits, was when I first watched the The Last Waltz in my twenties. I was instantly captivated by her beauty, her voice, her delivery and expressions. She’s an absolute treasure. She can simply hum an mm-hmm, and it will carry more emotional weight than most singers can put into an entire song.

[@johncopeland3826]

All i can say to Ms Staples frightening story is that the world was a dangerous place back then ...and is STiLL a dangerous place ,today in 2023 , if not more than ever ! The Staple Singers performance from T he Last Waltz with The Band in 1976 is still one of the most captivating pieces of film footage of any music era . I still get goosebumps at the natural brilliance of it all ..with deep thanks from Scotland.

[@anthonymaccherone]

I can't even imagine. I'm so glad my folks raised me better. I remember taking the bus from Lake Charles to Shreveport with my Mom in 1960 to visit my Aunt and at the station in Shreveport it was really hot and we could not find a water fountain. eventually we found the "Colored" water fountain and I got a drink. This old man in a linen suit with a panama hat came over and started berating my Mom for letting me drink from the "Colored" fountain. My Mom screamed at him; "You stay away from me and my boy you hateful old man!"

[@panther1904]

the evil of Racism affects us all regardless of our skin color We need to stand as one and fight this evil call racism.

[@Koloviv48i]

Good on your powerful mother.

[@faspeake]

What gets me is that those violently prejudice people that were evil ignorant back in the '50's and 60's still walk among us..

[@dve5167]

chip speake you can believe that

[@JennyBaty1]

And hold major public office

[@alvispearson6268]

N

[@sghee68]

And still just as cowardly and evil and deceptive as ever! DO NOT TRUST THEM FOR SHIT!

[@GMacAttack5]

That's what happens when you let terrible people live. Imagine how much better the world could've been if we'd taken care of all the racist scum back in the 70's.

[@poonamsvideoblogs]

Not all that long ago. I was 5 in 1966 with my dad and mom and three sisters in Alabama. No restaurant would seat us. Dad had just received a tenure professorship. You know we didn't take that professorship. We moved North.

[@DJNaveE]

"Pops knocked some blood out that boy." Gawd bless these American treasures. Thank God they were NEVER killed. Long live miss Mavis

[@MrCamos6]

Awesome Story, I love you Ms.Mavis

[@arethamorgan6613]

This generation today.... SMH. Are ignorant of what took place. Ignorant of the stories. As horrid as they may be, they are our HISTORY. They need to be told. They actually took place. I'm not talking about preaching hate, the kids need to be informed. It irks me to no end, when some sings. 🎶 "Oh that was in the past. Why can't you just let it go?" l find this suggestion strange. No one forgets the Holocaust, or even more current, 911. I'm just saying.

[@indirussell7083]

You are so right. I always tell mine they never forget the holocaust, but if black ppl bring up their past, they are racist. I teach mine the truth. And I know who I am

[@brucechakur9431]

Oh sweetheart I have been saying that for years why should we forget our past no one else is told to forget their past never will we or should we forget we are a strong people a Beautiful people who can go through what we have and still have Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ Jackie

[@MountTheodore72]

@@brucechakur9431 The thing is when black folk speak about our past it exposes white america. They don't want to be told nor reminded that they were mean and nasty and brutal and terroristic, so they feel it's best for black people to forget the past. They want to continue to believe that white America was and has always been pure and innocent and sweet as pie.

[@DavidRichardson95]

Staple Singers music is timeless. A story is always being told in one of their classic records. RIP Pops, Cleotha and Yvonne Staples. Mavis' story is harrowing but all _too_ real, my own dad explained what life was like for him and my aunt growing up in Virginia in the late '50s and early '60s. It was anything but. Such a troubling time.

[@denaaaya]

would def love to talk to them to get insight well more on our people and what we've been continuously going through

[@adspur]

They make me want Jesus and move at the same time.

[@misstury606]

One of the best voices of all time. Love this lady.

[@lenraygandy]

I truly enjoyed meeting her father, she and sisters in Meridian, Mississippi back in the old days!!! I lived across the streets from Young's Hotel (only black hotel). I can relate to her story as well...

[@55YoLefty]

Meridian, MS. That brings back memories. I attended a Naval school (Yeoman) from Jan-Mar 1988.

[@MRSSPRKLEDIGGS1]

🎉❤

[@MRSSPRKLEDIGGS1]

​@5🎉❤5YoLefty

[@tweston315]

"I know a place...Ain't nobody crying...Ain't nobody worried. Lying to the races. "

[@hsbthree]

damn sho a'int America

[@SneakyCheeseThief]

God bless Ms Mavis and everyone from back in the day. All the folks she shared the stage with as a kid, the singers and the speakers, everyone she came up with, from the older folks like Pop Staples and Reverend Franklin to Daisy Bates and Dr King and John Lewis - they are the truest heroes we have.

[@antd8259]

Wonderful but scary story. I felt like I was there as it happened. We've come a long way, but still have a ways to go!!

[@clarencepeoples6847]

I worship the staples singers. Every since I was a young boy. 61 years old now. Been a long time. I love them. Rip to the ones who is gone to be with the Lord.

[@aharonbenyisrael8387]

Gut wrenching story love to here stories like this, how we were constantly lied on!

[@Floppyearsmomma]

This lady is a national treasure. I loved her and her family's songs growing up. I'm so sorry this happened to her and everybody who endured and still endures this kind of treatment! I hope we turn the corner and soon! God bless you Mavis!

[@pattyajones]

THIS is a huge embarrassment to our country. If we judge by the color of skin, we CANNOT CALL OURSELVES children of God.

[@latonywoods9581]

This country was created by evil!! Stolen land, millions of Native People killed, Slavery millions killed, Jim Crow era tens of thousands of hanging of innocent so called Black People, etc etc

[@bonafide1972]

At least her father stood up for himself instead of being yellow.

[@NikoHL]

@bass reemer You need to pick yr battles carefully. Pops could have been shot dead in that store and the punk would have walked free, just like George Zimmermam when he shot 17 year old, unarmed, Trayvon Martin. But good on Pops..

[@indirussell7083]

@@NikoHL God was watching over them because they survived. God

[@1goldbaby]

Sometimes,there wasn't any choice but to be yellow!!

[@anniec7958]

I am old now. I have experienced MANY similar experiences in this "land of the free". I'm sure many of the perpetrators, if they did not repent of their filthy heinousness, have died and are in agony, waiting, where the rich man is, in agony, until that day they are cast body and soul into that place where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched, for eternity. ALL that is hidden will be uncovered, every action, every idle thought, for me, and for you. REPENT and TURN TO CHRIST! The Bible. Read it and ponder it.

[@1988129ful]

White fear then and now. Same thing, different day. Btw a fantastic story told by a legend of musical storytelling.

[@sghee68]

White cowardice...then and especially now!

[@cookieowe7585]

I was born and raised in Germany..Nobody not better mess with my beloved Staple Singers...I loved them, since I came to this Country..in 1970....Respect!!!!!!

[@bigrigfx1612]

I found my voice in this woman-sing gospels daily

[@jmb92555]

Read the Green Book. Or watch the movie they made on the Don Shirley tour through the south.

[@brendaniebel1355]

Ol pops, was a fighter, lord. 🥊🥊🥊🥊🥊🥊

[@panther1904]

Woww we need a staple singers movie while they're still alive already

[@sheronabrooks2085]

If People Would listen She is Telling The Truth To This Day it is So Much Racism it's not going anywhere Soon Until God Comes back In The Rapture Amen 😇❤️🙏

[@ReenyNY]

Sorry for racist bastards, Miss Mavis.

[@martinobrien7110]

GOD BLESS MAVIS STAPLES FOR THAT VOICE .

[@mirrortime]

God Bless The Staples. It's so sad that this crap is still happening! Every white person (Like me) outta get off our butts and do something! I am. I've been so isolated from the TRUTH my whole life until 2 years ago. And the truth is this Country will never be a good place to live until there is Equality in every way. White people have to look in the freakin' mirror. It's us we're afraid of. And the Truth. I believe the TRUTH is GOD loves EVERYBODY and LOVE is the answer. :)

[@dranchd6571]

"The poor guy at the gas station..." They never fail. And they still distress black people myriad ways while denying it, and accusing black people of abusing them.

[@zivaray]

What a story!!!!!!

[@moffatsabango1238]

Mississippi reminds us of what life was like in the 60s , and this a tale to revisit the horrors of being black at that turbulent time , when Edgar Ray Allen , stormed the neighborhoods with a reign of terror, int he name of ku klas klan.

[@maddtrucker830flager9]

Amen! Peace be upon you Pops.❤️

[@willshogren1987]

Pops was awesome.

[@JDOUG757]

You let some people tell it these stories were 2000 years ago😢

[@PeteCalandra]

wow

[@tothelighthouse9843]

Thru their glorious voices, the Staples family has given so much hope, comfort & pleasure to so many. The very living breath of this talented family should not have to depend on how fast a racist moves for his gun. What a world.

[@jennifertezeno5073]

Oh my 😮

[@patriciajackson7482]

The things that our people have gone through all because of the color of our skin. Our blood and brains are no different than any other human. But skin makes that much of a difference. Sad world in which we still live in, because this still goes on!!! SMDH!!!

[@teegrey1606]

mississhitty

[@joystratton4658]

He just had to mention how it could've gone another way!! We don't need a reminder, she already said it!!

[@joselynjolivet7694]

My maternal grandmother was born and reared in Mississippi.

[@sknmwms6516]

That's you always get your recipients!

[@colleensanders9042]

YES THE STAPLE SINGERS AND POP STAPLES ARE LEGENDARY ICON I WOULD LOVE TO TALK AND HERE THERE STORIES

[@brendaniebel1355]

She is a hoot. Omg, id love to sit and talk to her. Shes a humble, funny lady.

[@armonrakhman3791]

This is the america black people know

[@1goldbaby]

Legend..

[@jamietfranklin]

Literal RECEIPTS!

[@jimlee5050m]

That is how they get into position.

[@nigelcampbell5449]

That was when America was great. Now, they are making it great again.

[@trevorcampbell579]

Wicked white people

[@Bookfigures1]

Right!!!!it was right by them because they could mistreat POC and it was ok

[@jeromemcelroy5977]

Hello MAVIS Jerome McELroy lil jerome in jackson,mss

[@frankiegibbs9533]

Thank God yall was alright in the end,,, I love me some Staple Singers!!!

[@tonjamcdonald7118]

This is one group that has never gotten the recognition and respect that they deserved. The music of today I don't even listen to. All they can do is rap, if they really had to sing a song over half of them would be in trouble. We will never hear another voice like Mavis again. She 's in her seventies I think and still going. They're not made out of the same material as the old timers say. That's why I will never get rid of all my old music. Because the music will never be the same, man this generation don't know what they missed. All I need is one of the old turntables so I can put a stack of albums on and jam like the Godfather said.

[@iamDavidaRose]

Awww I love Poppa Staples!

[@fluharty123]

I am so sorry this happens. Grew up on military bases for 18 years. We were all military brats 1st. Nobody cared what color you were.

[@KenSherman]

I never understand the mentality of many Caucasians mainly in the South & Nazi Germany back in those days (the 20th century, particularly the 1960s & earlier). Scums of the Earth! Ofc, prejudice exists in other places as well where this can be seen more as a human issue that is not limited to just #exclusion. But thank "G" we live in different times!🙌🏽 Yet we still have a long way to go. Hopefully, in the future we can filter out all derision & division so we can have less to worry about & focus on what really matters to progress civilization significantly; a more civilized society but hopefully just as free & understanding.

[@owenwilberforce6138]

It’s hard to believe people could be so disrespectful to others. And this is doubly so especially considering the tremendous talent, prestige and integrity of the Staples Singers. What soul music came from must have come in part from rising above the everyday callousness of society towards African Americans. Considering all the gifts they gave in spite of this, we are lucky for the grace all the musical artists showed in the face of callous disregard towards them.

[@tonyhomant244]

Love Mavis

[@tombennett7499]

Just pay the money why ask to wipe the bugs out the window the young lad did then ask for Receipt Caused mayhem !

[@marywatkins6798]

Mavis is a national treasure! Love her.

[@michellenichols4106]

Selective hearing

[@j.terryjackson3918]

Good OLD DAYS...

[@pbc76]

Ruff times for us all, Sis. But God SAW us Through. Aint he mighty?

[@jesussaves7777]

I love gospel music, may God have mercy on us. needGod.com

[@gladysrodgers5991]

Didn't nobody have a chance to steal money from them and thank they were m"""' aman

[@montavionhaywood514]

They should make a biopic on there life what I mean is a movie

[@tombennett7499]

Wipe your own Bugs out your window why should the young Gas service Lad have to do it whats the score there :(

[@joystratton4658]

THEY ALL CLEAN YOUR WINDOWS BACK THEN WHEN YOU BOUGHT GAS!! LEARN YOUR HISTORY

[@grohlfan1]

Cleaning the wind shield (and checking air in the tires) was part of what full service gas station attendants did as their job.

[@brendaniebel1355]

I love, I'll take you there.

[@spookylord4701]

🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷 VIVE LA FRANCE ! 🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷

[@bdshafer]

Blessings

[@wattsadonnasaurs4810]

I hate you went thru thru this

[@commissaryarrick9670]

This sounds like bullshit she said she drove from Jackson to Memphis but was in Natchez . Natchez is no where near the route from Jackson to Memphis it is in the opposite direction . And at the end she said it happened in Memphis , she is lying

[@viviandarkbloom100]

She might be mis-remembering the route, but the facts of the incident are factual. It did occur.

[@willshogren1987]

She's in her 80s. What about that story, aside from geographic quibbling, sounds implausible circa the 1960s?

[@Wordsareprayers]

U are a fool!! I know that today U must be rolling around in Ur trash heap, not getting any sleep!! Can’t stop what coming, Fool! 🤡 Got this here 💩 chip for U and ya mammy, boy!

[@Wordsareprayers]

Wait- are the kid that got the snot knocked out of U? Hahahahaha! It’s possible, huh!!! Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!🤡💩