Why is the word Phooey associated with segregationist governor Lester Maddox?
Phooey was Maddox’s all purpose cuss word. Remember Lester Maddox had been elected Governor because he was a segregationist. He was nationally known for having used axe handles, ‘Pickrick Toothpicks’, to threaten any “colored” people who would come to his restaurant. His other talent was riding a bicycle backwards in parades. Really. Those ‘talents’ got him elected Georgia governor.
Lester made Georgia a national joke, so
Then Lester moved from the Ansley Park Governor’s Mansion into the new Governor’s palace just finished in Buckhead.
“The guest list of 400 includes140 negroes”.!! Actually the chicken came from Pascals which fed the Civil Rights leaders, not Maddox’s Pickrick.
When I was in seventh grade our class went on a trip to the state ctpiaol in Atlanta. Lester Maddox was then the governor of Georgia. He came out to meet us all and handed out “LESTER MADDOX” bumper stickers that had a small axe handle as a graphic. He kissed the boy next to me on the forehead. On the way home we plastered the bumper stickers all over the inside of the bus. Even then we thought he was a dumb redneck.
I was in a civil rights march in Atlanta some time between June 1966 and December 1970, but I have not been been able to find any reference to the march. (I carried a ‘Phooey Maddox’ sign. ) I believe that at least CBS TV reported on the March.
Can you tell me when the March was, please, and where to get information on it?
Thank you.