ANDREA GIGGETTS
GUEST COLUMNIST

Using a football analogy, I am in the fourth quarter of my life. I have witnessed how words can be radioactive. I have even been on the receiving end of some words that were so lethal I often debated if life was still worth living.

If left unchecked, words can poison, assassinate, and deliberately sabotage. Words can oppress an already fleeting spirit.

Words can save

However, words can also be a one-way ticket from misery. I know. The person who changed my life met me in my 12th grade year. By then, I was the product of parents who married a total of 15 times, lived in a dysfunctional home, was frequently abused and rarely had enough essentials, including food, love or self-esteem.

My teacher wrote words on my book reports that shattered any negative thoughts I had harbored about myself. She was convinced I had potential and represented the "Talented Tenth" of my race. Each morning for the past 38 years, I begin my day by rereading her words that have served as the fuel for me to work in the spirit of excellence.

Mrs. Ruth Davis predicted that I would be successful, and she was right. I have had a prolific career in corporate America, own my consulting services and am a motivational speaker and trainer. Imagine this much success coming from a broken-spirited girl who had internalized other people’s negative and defeating words.

Righting a wrong

I am battling to fix an egregious wrong that exists in Sasser, Ga., outside of Albany, where a confrontational road sign, "Chain Gang Road," is prominently displayed.

When I first saw that sign, a tsunami of feelings erupted. I could not believe that governmental officials or citizens would want to resurrect a powerful and shameful imagery that symbolically meant racial oppression and atrocities rendered to convict laborers who were primarily Southern African-American men! It’s a throwback to the days of slavery. To some, it could be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Recalling how my teacher’s positive words were instrumental in awakening my spirit, I launched an investigation. I learned that a majority of the residents who lived on that road were Black and that the county had a majority Black population. I had to explore why Southern traditions and narrow-minded customs could run amok without being challenged.

Wrote letters

In November 2011, I wrote two letters expressing my sentiments. The first letter went to Rev. Ezekiel Holley, president of the Terrell County NAACP, who offered tactical advice and volunteered to assist. Rev. Holley successfully collected the signatures of the African-American residents who currently reside on Chain Gang Road. They have given 110 percent support and enthusiastically want to replace that sign.

The second letter was sent to the five Terrell County commissioners – two Black and three White. The White power structure and ruling class was vindictive and released their hatred on us and our request by poisoning the atmosphere and by instigating racial hostility. They expertly used every trick in the Southern playbook to defeat this motion. We commend the Black commissioners for their vote and vigorous fight.

I plan to stick with this issue until it becomes a non-issue, but I need others who are not afraid. Will you help?

To help, contact Jacksonville resident Andrea Giggetts at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (904) 742-6105