From the Grass Roots

IF POSSIBLE, I would like this note to serve as a postscript to the story (August 1957 Grapevine) of the growth of AA at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman--our first Negro group has been formed, in Camp #3. Needless to say this was a happy occasion for the sponsors and many other AAs throughout the state. Possibly you wonder why the first Negro group is becoming a reality some two and one-half years after the program of Alcoholics Anonymous was initiated at Parchman. . . . The program of AA was made available to any camp so desiring. One by one requests for groups came to us, until finally requests had come from all the white male inmate Camps. . . . We tried to avert forcing AA on anyone--Camp or individual.