In the Chicago summer of 1952, two inseparable friends, James Davis and Ronald Sullivan, shared a bond that defied the world around them. James, a bright-eyed 5-year-old, and Ronald, a spirited 8-year-old, were as close as brothers, despite the differences that others might see in their skin color.
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| James Davis, 5, fell asleep at a Chicago Police Station while his good friend, Ronald Sullivan, 8, keeps watch in August 1952. |
The boys had a secret thrill they couldn’t resist—sneaking out at night to ride the “L” train. The city’s shimmering lights and the rhythmic clatter of the train tracks were the backdrop to their nightly adventures. The world was vast and exciting, and on those moonlit escapades, they felt invincible.
One night, the two friends found themselves at a train station, their excitement still buzzing in the air. But adventure has its limits, and little James, tired from the night’s journey, couldn’t keep his eyes open any longer. He curled up on a chair, his head resting on his small arms, and drifted into a peaceful sleep. Ronald, ever the protective older friend, sat beside him, keeping a watchful eye as the city’s hum lulled in the background.
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| Sleepy Explorers – Chicago Daily News, August 28, 1952. |
It wasn’t long before the police found them, a sight that might have surprised anyone—a black boy and a white boy, alone together in the dead of night, their innocence shining brighter than the streetlights. To the officers, and to anyone who might have seen them, it was clear that these two boys shared a bond deeper than friendship. They were like brothers, caring for each other in a world that often tried to keep them apart.
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