An Hour Before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood

Carter “spoke two languages” as a farm boy: That of his African American playmates, and the “white folks’ language” (207). From age six till he entered high school, he was also two different people: The confident farm boy and the timid, defensive schoolboy. His schoolwork was good, he read nonstop, and he had wrestled enough with his friends to hold his own on the school grounds.

Plains High School housed 11 grades, and attendance to age 16 was required but not enforced, especially when children were needed on the farm. Earl never took Carter out of school for farm work. Carter rode into town with friends or took a bus to his school, while his Black friends walked to class, which was held in a church building. When buses finally were provided for Black children, their fenders were painted black to “maintain a clear, though symbolic, racial distinction between the students” (209).

The superintendent of the school, Miss Julia Coleman, had a limp and failing eyesight and was “totally dedicated” to education. Miss Julia made sure that great books were in the school library and would get extra books just for Carter. She also instructed the students in music and art appreciation and public speaking.