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There were songs and movemenrs of freedom

while the Hertz, Avis, and National men said,

«I'm sorry, but we just rented the last one."

A white exchange student walked in the calm yet moist night ail'
of Atlanta. Ahead of him were two Negro coeds, talking about the test
they had taken that afternoon. To the rear was a young Negro couple,
communicating in silence. All were heading toward the gymnasium'at
at SpelmanCollege for Negro Women,where the Spelmanswim club was
putting on a synchronized swimming show.

The air in the pool room was close. So were the people. The white
boy sat on the bleacher and read his program. The show wasn't to
start for thirty minutes, so he struck up a conversation with the
Negro student who sat beside him. His name was Dick, and next year
he would be enrolled in rned school at the University of Florida. His
girl was in the show. He was happy -- a future, a girl, a warm, beauti-
ful night.

The lights went out; the pool reflected blue, red, and green spot-
lights. Brown bodies glided on top of and through the water. Inter-
mission. Again the lights went out. Dick's girl swam proudly and
effortlessly through her number. The Negro boy and the white boy ap-
plauded and cheered loudly, above the crowd. Five numbers later, and
it was the last performance.

The song started. The spotlights came on. A beautiful and strong
Negro girl dove into the pool, came to the surface, and followed the
spotlights with powerful yet graceful strokes of her arms and legs. HeI'
whole person echoed the strains of the song. "BORN FREE, AND
FREE AS THE WIND!" The white boy peered down hi s row, feeling
the strength of the song. Reflections from the red,blue, and green spots
played on the people. Silent waves of light lapped at the brown, soul-
filled faces. The same lights shone on the white boy's face.

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