From Julian Bond to Mrs. Sheldon Chesin, 20 Jan 1970

January 20, 1970

Dear Mrs. Chesin:

Please forgive me for not answering your letter sooner. I will not - and cannot - apologize for any slight the students in Washington may feel they have received.

I arrived there that Monday morning after having suffered a sprained ankle in an automobile accident the Saturday before, and had to walk with a cane because of the pain. I was taken to a reception at the noon hour where I made myself available to students until I was taken away to eat. I sought medical attention for my ankle, spoke, answered questions, and then had to find my own way to the airport because the school didn't choose to supply any.

I had nothing to do with the reception, and am sorry if your daughter was inconvenienced, but certainly it was not by me.

What happens on these occasions is that the sponsor, the school, makes plans without consulting the speaker. When the speaker reveals that he has other plans, he is the bad guy, and not the school.

Sincerely,

Julian Bond Mrs. Sheldon E. Chesin 264 Blanton Road, N.W. Atlanta, Georgia