In spite of those insurmountable odds, there were black leaders who were an influential part of every Southern community, even in Fayette County.

Lastly, Mr. Jordan, I certainly would not, as you seem to presume, take credit for giving you a "social conscience" you already had. It's not your social conscience I'm concerned about. It's your seeming lack of sensitivity and acknowledgment of black folks' contributions in building Fayette County which our exclusion in your pictures tend to imply.

No, blacks didn't have the time or opportunity to stand around town having their pictures taken. They were in the fields picking cotton or the crop of the year just to feed their families, as well as the families of the "leaders of Fayette County" and perhaps your ancestors as well.

In all deference to Mr. Jordan, I look forward to reading the rest of his articles. I just hope he does better research and shows more sensitivity to all of Fayette County's citizens.

Dan Lowry

Fayetteville, Ga.