This was a letter from a constituent apologizing to Wilder on the old Virginia State Song. She believed that Wilder was offended and "too sensitive" for wanting to abolish and replace the song during his time as senator. 

During Wilder's time as Senator of Virginia in the 1970s, he recieved a lot of backlash from constituents on the Virginia State song. This photograph features a letter from Mrs. Ernest L. Bendle who states she is proud of Virginia's history and believed that the original State Song was an ode to Virginia's history. Ironically, the song was more of an ode to slavery, which is what struck Wilder to propose legislation that would replace the old song. This particular constituent along with many others believed that Wilder's proposed legislation was due to him being "too sensitive" or that it had offended him in some way. However, the old Virginia State song should not be kept as it was a romantic ode to slavery which is highly offensive in any case. 

Writings on the comparison of Black people and apes in the justification that they are corrupting White Christian civilization.

This photograph features a racist depiction of a comparison between apes and Black people. Senator Wilder was probably sent this by a constituent in response to his new proposed legisaltion that would replace the old Virginia State song. This photograph or flyer attempted to justify that Black people were corruptive to society and White Christian civilization. 

Richmond, Virginia newspaper clipping about the Virginia state song being offensive.

This photograph features a newspaper clipping regarding Senator Wilder's new proposed legislation on replacing the old Virginia state song with a new one. Many constituents in the South believed that Wilder was just offended by the lyrics of the originia Virginia state song and wanted to replace it as he was being in their perspective, "too sensitive." This particular newspaper clipping looks like it was printed out and written on by an angry constituent. It was then sent to Wilder in response to the idea of a new Virginia state song and mentioned that he should "go back to Africa" along with other derogatory and negative terminology. 

A letter sent to Senator Wilder in response to the new proposed legislation regarding the old Virginia State song.

This photograph features a letter from a constituent sent to Senator Wilder regarding the new proposed lesgislation. The letter was sent by M. B. Eskridge, and mentioned to Wilder that the Black race would have had a far worse history if they hadn't been brough to America. In other words, this constituent is saying that the Black race had much more freedom in America as slaves than they ever would have if they weren't brought here. This offensive letter was sent to him since many constituents believed that Senator Wilder should not have been offended by the lyrics of the old song as they didn't believe it as offensive instead it was a part of "Virginia's history."

Newspaper clipping on the topic of the offensiveness of Virgnina's state song.

This photograph features a newspaper clipping regarding Senator Wilder's new proposed legislation on replacing the old Virginia State song with a new one. Many constituents in the South believed that Wilder was just offended by the lyrics of the originia Virginia state song and wanted to replace it as he was being in their perspective, "too sensitive." This particular newspaper clipping looks like it was printed out and written on by an angry constituent. It was then sent to Wilder in response to the idea of a new Virginia state song and mentioned, "with your small mind you would not dignify any occassion!"

A newspaper clipping of L. Douglas Wilder's offended perspective of the Virginia state song.

This photograph features a newspaper clipping of Senator Lawerence D. Wilder. It is in regards to the new proposed legislation which included getting rid of the old Virginia State song and replacing it with a new one. The headline mentions, "State Song Hurts Ear of Virginia's Wilder. Once again, many people believed that Senator Wilder was overreacting and that the originial State song should not be replaced as it is not considered offensive in their case. 

This is a photograph of the writings of the original Virginia state song.

This photograph features the original Virgina State song. Senator Wilder fought against keeping this version as it was considered to be a romantic ode to slavery due to the lyrics. Many people believed he was overreacting and was being too sensitive in proposing legislation that would replace the original state song. A lot of the people who lived in the South and Virginia also believed that he was overracting since it was written and sung by a Black man. However, Wilder explained that it did not matter who was singing it, it was that it was still considered a racist song and offensive to not only the Black race but those who made up the evil institution of slavery in Virginia. 

Letter to L. Douglas Wilder praising him for opposing the original Virginia state song.

Among the many letters and negative things sent and said to Senator Wilder on the opposing of the orginial Virginia State song, there were individuals who did support him. This photograph includes a letter sent to Senator Wilder in 1970 from the Race Relations Information Center. Within this letter, Bernard E. Garnett is congragulating Senator Wilder on opposing the orginial State song and proposing legislation to introduce a new and less offensive song in Virginia. This letter also mentions to Wilder that he should keep hanging in there and that this legislation not only is supportive to Black people in Virginia but is a monumental period for all Black people in America. He also notes that Senator Wilder was very courageous in proposing such a legislation as this.

A letter on the correction of the original Virginia state song.

This photograph features correspondence to Lieutenant Governor Wilder in 1987. Wilder fought hard to eliminate and replace the Virginia state song due to its racist origins and meanings to the Black race and those who were a part of the evil institution of slavery. This particular letter was from Dr. Hugo Owens which states that he had a song suggestion attached to the letter for the committee to consider as modification to the original song. Wilder first proposed this legislation when he was Senator of Virginia in 1970 and did not successfully have the song replaced until his time as Lieutenant Governor in the late 1980s.

Newspaper clipping stating that Wilder is 'too sensitive' on the topic of the original Virginia state song.

This photograph features a newspaper clipping during Wilder's time as Senator of Virginia in 1970. During this moment, Senator Wilder proposed legislation that would replace the original Virginia State Song. This particular newspaper clipping mentions that Senator Wilder is considered to be "too sensitive" in proposing such legislation for the Commonwealth. However, Senator Wilder believed strongly that "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia," the original Virginia state song was more of a romantic ode to slavery and is considered to be offensive to those who have had ancestors who were a part of this evil institution. Senator Wilder had grandparents who were a part of the evil institution of slavery. However, the original state song was offensive to all African Americans living in the commonwealth. Some constituents believed Wilder was being too sensitive, while others backed him and supported him in his courage and bravery in proposing such legislation. 

Newspaper clipping on Senator Wilder's perspective on the originla Virginia state song.

This photograph features a newspaper clipping during Wilder's time as Senator of Virginia in 1970. During this moment, Senator Wilder proposed legislation that would replace the original Virginia State Song. This particular newspaper clipping mentions that Senator Wilder was irked by the original state song and proposed legislation against it. It also mentions that he was rankled when he heard the song being sung during last month's visit to the General Assembly in Northern Virginia. However, Senator Wilder believed strongly that "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia," the original Virginia state song was more of a romantic ode to slavery and is considered to be offensive to those who have had ancestors who were a part of this evil institution. Senator Wilder had grandparents who were a part of the evil institution of slavery. However, the original state song was offensive to all African Americans living in the commonwealth. Some constituents believed Wilder was being too sensitive, while others backed him and supported him in his courage and bravery in proposing such legislation.