Hello, my name is B.J. Hollars, a former instructor in the English Department at the University of Alabama and a current assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. I’m also the author of “Thirteen Loops: Race, Violence and the Last Lynching in America.”

I’m currently working on a second book related to Tuscaloosa’s Civil Rights Movement, as well as desegregation at the University of Alabama. Last Thursday, prior to doing a signing at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, I had the great opportunity to peruse your father’s papers. I’ve long admired Mr. Shores, and as I wrap up my research, I wanted to contact you to ask permission to quote from his papers. The quotations would not be extensive (primarily, I hope they could provide some background information for Hood, Malone and Lucy). I’ve been working on this project for well over a year now, and to be frank, I don’t think I’ll be able to write the most accurate book without referring to some of your father’s papers. I have a long history of working in archives and believe many archivists and researchers would speak on my behalf. I’m also happy to share these pages with you when they’re complete.

Finally, I’m working with the University of Alabama Press, a non-profit press that specializes in civil rights. I’m not interested in any kind of wild monetary gain here; I simply want to preserve valuable stories.

My great thanks, and I appreciate your service to Birmingham.
Yours,
B.J. Hollars

Dear B.J. Hollars,

We have no problem if you have a sincere intention. It’s okay for me when you want to quote from his papers of my father.

Regards,
Helen Shores Lee