LAYERS OF TRUTH
A Novel Set During the Turbulent 1964 Mississippi Freedom Summer Project by
MOVIE/TV TREATMENT
Layers of Truth
Based on the novel by Rosalie T. Turner
Copywrite 2022 Rosalie T. Turner
Contact: James Clois Smith Jr., Sunstone Press / (505) 988-4418
LOGLINE: Through the eyes of 20-year-old Lenore Rogers, The Layers of Truth tells the story of Mississippi’s 1964 Freedom Summer, when a thousand northern whites descended upon the state to work with the Black grassroots organization of SNCC and thus created a crucible of love and hate that reverberates to this day.
Titles overlay stately approach to Barnard College, emphasizing grandeur of white privilege college. Camera focuses in on LENORE ROGERS as she works on homework in her dorm room.
ACT I:
JANE CARSON enters Lenore’s dorm room and tells her about the Freedom Summer opportunity. Lenore is not interested but agrees to look at the flyer. As Jane leaves, she calls over her shoulder. “I signed us up for interviews next week.” Lenore sighs deeply and picks up the flyer.
Scene opens with overlay “June, 1964, Western College for Women, Oxford, Ohio” Bus pulls into station and several weary-looking young whites get off, look around, and are met by tall Black young man dressed in SNCC tee shirt. They pile into old station wagon. On the way to the campus, they ask about and learn details of the week-long training for Freedom Summer.
The next day in the auditorium at the opening session, Lenore meets LUKE GUTHRIE, a handsome Black SNCC staffer. She hears BOB MOSES give background of Mississippi and the need to get Blacks registered to vote, the importance of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and the necessity of getting their delegation seated at the Democratic National Convention. Bob Moses tells volunteers what to expect and other SNCC members who describe beatings, harassment as they tell of their work getting Blacks registered to vote. The emphasis on a non-violent movement is brought out. As the scene ends, the effects of all she is learning are shown as camera focuses on her.
Evening as groups gather around the campus, the difference is evident between the Black SNCC workers (many of whom who dress like Bob Moss – white tee shirt and bib overalls) and the white volunteers, dressed as preppies in the 60s. The sound of singing brings them slowly together as FANNIE LOU HAMER leads them in freedom songs, ending with “We Shall Overcome” and SNCC showing volunteers how to stand holding hands with arms crossed.
Next scenes show days at training – talks by JOHN DOAR, JOHN LEWIS, FANNIE LOU HAMER, role-playing led by CHARLES (MAC) MCLAURIN. Lenore and Luke’s attraction grows. Tension between Blacks and whites shows up.
After dinner, all in auditorium for showing of “Mississippi and the 15th Amendment.” When registrar, obese Theron Lynd, comes on screen, volunteers laugh at his stereotypical looks. Some SNCC storm out. After documentary whites and Blacks angrily share their feelings and perceptions. Tension is finally broken and end singing “We Shall Overcome.”
Small group gathered outside as SILAS MCGHEE and Luke lead volunteers on how to protect themselves. That evening, Luke and Lenore join a group around a campfire. They share their stories. As scene fades, camera shot leaves campus and goes to Mississippi to a burning church and hooded Klan standing watching.
Scene opens as Jane is packing her things. She and Lenore talk about what lies ahead – Jane to go with first group to work on voter registration, Lenore to stay for the second week of training to become a Freedom School teacher. They walk out to buses. Lenore says goodbye to Luke who tells her the three(MICKEY SCHWERNER, JAMES CHANEY, ANDY GOODMAN) left during the night because of church burning and why that church was targeted.
During evening, Lenore reflects with others who stayed for training for Freedom Schools and what those schools might entail. The next morning, Lenore is back in auditorium with new group of volunteers and Bob Moses begins his usual presentation. He is called to the side and given some news. He comes back to the center and tells that the three workers are missing. Mickey’s wife, RITA SCHWERNER, comes to the stage and writes on the blackboard the 3 names, adds “Neshoba County. Missing.” Scene ends focusing first on Bob Moses, shoulders slumped, then on Rita Schwerner, standing still, hand holding chalk still raised to the blackboard, head down.
Words “One Week Later” overlay screen shows Lenore and others riding in a bus past cotton fields and sign “Welcome to Mississippi.” Bus pulls up in front of building with overlay saying, “ COFO headquarters – Jackson, MS.” White volunteers get out and enter a building with a hum of activity going on. Mac is there and calls them together to give out assignments. He first gives report on missing workers – no news. Lenore is partnered with ELIZABETH STANTON and they are assigned to Mystic Springs, a small town in Sunflower County in the Delta. Scene fades as Lenore and Elizabeth are gathering supplies.
Elizabeth and Lenore are carrying supplies to the SNCC station wagon. DERRYLE GARRETT, the SNCC driver introduces himself. As they drive through Jackson, camera focuses on Lenore as she watches scenes of poverty pass by. Derryle stops in front of a ranch-style house and explains it is the Evers’ home where Medgar Evers was shot. They are told to get out and put their hand on the blood-stained driveway. They then drive on. On the outskirts of town, Derryle pulls behind an Esso service station. He explains they need to use the restroom there because once they start they can’t make stops in the Delta since there are Black men riding with white girls.
They drive past sign for Mystic Springs. Drive through neat white area with nice lawns, paved roads, etc., and into Black area with unpaved roads and shacks. They stop in front of a slightly larger home with screened porch across the front.
MAYBELL JOHNSON and 2 daughters, ANABEL and SERENE come bustling out and welcome them. Lenore and Elizabeth settle in, learn that the bathroom is an outhouse, meet HORACE JOHNSON at dinner and get to know the family. Serene’s comment, “I never been near no white folk, nor talked to any, and here you, staying in our very own house! I can’t hardly believe it!” shows the divide between the two volunteers and the Johnsons. After watching the news together, Lenore and Elizabeth retire to their room and go over materials for the Freedom School.
The next morning, Mrs. Johnson sends them off with a load of cleaning supplies and Anabel leads them to the house that is to be the Freedom School. Opening the door, the girls are shocked at the mess they find. They enlist Anabel and her friends to haul away things as they start cleaning. Two SNCC staffers in Mystic Springs, HARRY & ANITRA come , introduce themselves and say the back room will be their office. They introduce the two volunteers, TOM & BRENDA, who will be working on voter registration with them.
At noon, two neighbors, Joann Logan and Sara Dawson, bring sandwiches and tea for them and tell them about the area. While eating on the front porch, a pickup truck of teenage boys yelling insults goes by. Scene fades as camera focuses on Lenore’s visceral reaction.
The next morning Mac and Luke arrive with tables and chairs for the classroom. Luke and Lenore have time to talk together. He encourages her to come to the mass meeting that night in Ruleville.
Those in Mystic Springs – Lenore, Elizabeth, Brenda, Tom, Anitra and Harry – spend the day setting up classroom and SNCC office. That evening they crowd into Harry’s car and head to Ruleville. Approaching church they see police and sheriff’s cars circling church and when parking, they witness the license plate numbers being recorded by law enforcement.
Entering the church, Lenore sees that Luke has saved a place for her in the packed congregation. He tells her, “This is hallowed ground. It’s where Fannie Lou Hamer was inspired to go try to register to vote.” The mass meeting continues showing what the typical mass meeting was.
In the morning Anitra and Brenda stop by to get Lenore and Elizabeth to give her the walking tour of Mystic Springs and explains a lot of the dynamics of the town as they walk through it.
ACT II:
It is finally the first day of teaching at the Freedom School. Lenore and Elizabeth get to know the students and the few older adults sitting in the back. One is Mrs. Willa Mae Towers who donated towels for the girls’ staying with the Johnsons. She questions about voting rights, showing her determination to one day vote in Alabama.
One evening Lenore & Elizabeth watch the news with the Johnsons and see the Civil Rights Act of 1964 signed by President Johnson.
That Saturday, the group from Mystic Springs and Luke test out the right to enjoy a picnic in the public park, only to find racism is still alive.
Throughout Act II, Lenore learns more and more about the truth of life for Blacks in Mississippi. Her classes with the students show how Freedom Schools worked. Her relationship with Luke grows stronger. She realizes that Anitra, a college grad with a teaching certificate, should be teaching and she should switch and do the work of voter registration. Once she starts this, she learns of the heartache and disappointment that entails. The problem of finding a bigger place for the Freedom School continues.
Finally, it is learned where the three missing civil rights workers are buried.
ACT III:
Getting people to register to vote and to sign up for the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party is critical. Everything hinges on what happens at the Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City in August.
The issue of a site for the Freedom School comes down to getting a lot to build on. It is discovered that the old Black school – which is being torn down – is on a Section 16 Lot so it will have to be used for a school. They need to get the white school board to agree, which ultimately happens.
The scene at the Democratic Convention replays what actually happened – the appeals to the Credentials Committee, especially Fannie Lou Hamer’s speech, the behind the scenes manipulating, the courageous stand of the delegation only to be escorted out, and the ultimate defeat of the Mississippi Freedom Delegation.
Lenore and Luke find time to get off by themselves. Their discussion after lovemaking shows the difficulty – impossibility – of a relationship, but they agree to try.
The final scene is almost 60 years later. Elizabeth has come to visit Lenore and they unpack their memories. Ultimately, it did not work for Lenore and Luke. He was drafted and sent to Vietnam. On return, he became bitter against whites for still making him a second-class citizen after serving his country. He went to Oakland and joined the Black Panthers. Lenore reflects that since 1964 there has never been an all-white delegation to the Democratic National Convention. She became a teacher in Jackson, married and had a family.
The two reflect on our country today.