Stephen Flaherty
The Trashing of the Car
[BOOKER T. WASHINGTON, spoken]
And I say to you, gentlemen, that every race or nation that has ever got upon its feet has done so through struggle and persecution. And out of this very resistance to wrong, out of the struggle against odds, they have gained strength.
[COALHOUSE, SARAH and the baby are returning to New Rochelle in the Model T. They find their way barred by WILLIE CONKLIN and the EMERALD ISLE FIREMEN and exit the car.]
[CONKLIN, spoken]
You running away, n***a?
[COALHOUSE, spoken]
I am going to find a policeman. If anyone touches my car before I return, he will answer to Coalhouse.
[CONKLIN, spoken]
You tell him Fire Chief Will Conklin sends his regards!
[The FIREMEN laugh as COALHOUSE walks away.]
[BOOKER T. WASHINGTON, spoken]
We must exhibit patience.
[The FIREMEN descend on the car and destroy it.]
Self-control. Forbearance. And dwell above hatred and acts of cruelty.