A BLACK ACTIVIST WHO MADE WHITES UNCOMFORTABLE

Robert "Say" McIntosh, Jr.  in the 80's

During my 29 years in Arkansas (1970-1999) I met some interesting people; Nolan Richardson, who coached the Arkansas Razorbacks to a national title in 1994, James Pledger, Clinton's Chief of Staff as President and Bill Clinton, once when he was Attorney General and once as Governor.

My personal favorite, however, was Robert McIntosh, Sr., a self-effacing Black man, hired by a company in Little Rock as a janitor, ending his career 50 years later in the same position.

"Mr. Mac," as he was known by most, also ran a small eatery, was considered a barbecue God with his barbecue sauce sold all over the city.

Mac had two sons, both of whom eventually owned restaurants, having inherited their dad's work ethic and practice of starting every day at 4:00 AM.

One son particularly, Robert "Say" McIntosh, Jr. became widely known as the "Sweet Potato Pie King" of Little Rock, but also as "Black Santa."

While McIntosh, Sr. was soft-spoken and mild-mannered, his son, "Say" McIntosh was not.

"Say" was loud and angry.

"Say" was the one thing Arkansans hated the most; a Black activist, someone constantly pushing civil rights, equality, a constant and annoying reminder of the South's horrendous record of slavery, suppression and oppression of Blacks.

A frequent guest on local talk shows, McIntosh would speak with a rapid-fire, preacher type delivery, about issues concerning the Black community, not winning many fans among the white audiences. 

But, people loved his sweet potato pies, buying them by the thousands at Safeway, Kroger, Albertson's in Central Arkansas, with $1.00 from each pie sold going into "Say" McIntosh's Christmas fund.

On Christmas Day, "Say" McIntosh, dressed as Black Santa, went into the ghettos of Little Rock and North Little Rock and to other small towns in central Arkansas, distributing toys to boys and girls from those monies earned from pie sales. 

Over a decade ago, I garnered a copy of Mr. McIntosh's sweet potato pie recipe.

Three are in the oven right now.