Professor Jonathan Gray Rebecca Conseillant 10/8/23 Red velvet translation Original: A seamstress brings fabric and thread, collars & hems, buttonholes, together. She is one who knows her way around velvet. Arching herself over a river of cloth she feels for the bias, but doesn't cut, not until the straight pins are in place, marking everything: in time, everything will come together. Nine months after, December 1, 1955, Claudette Colvin, fifteen, arrested for keeping her seat; before that, Mary Louise Smith. The time to act, held by two pins. My translation: A black woman brings gentleness, strength and boldness, and wisdom, together. She is one who knows her way around obstacles/difficult times. She works hard every day to keep the peace, but she also understands the white woman's side, but doesn’t speak on it, not until it’s the right moment, she prepares her words and actions: in time, they will end segregation bringing blacks and whites together. Nine months after, a seamstress and Rosa Parks were arrested, other black women followed, like Claudette Colvin, fifteen, arrested for also keeping their seat; before that, Mary Louise Smith. All women beginning to act upon slavery, and quietness is slipping away.
