by 
I had the pleasure of attending a Women’s History Month screening of the documentary You Belong To Me: The Ruby McCollum Story. Shouts out the San Fernando Valley Chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and The Links, Inc.
It was a story I had never heard before. An affluent Black women in Live Oak, FL shot and killed the much respected and revered town doctor, C. L. Adams. There were so many thing about this story that stood out to me. The first thing was that she was referred to as a “Negress” in the local newspaper. When I hear that word I think of a lioness, something beastly, but that is exactly the way the white world viewed black women from the slave trade through the Jim Crow Era.
The case was a great account of the lack of power, voice, and safety black women had/have in this world. Ruby was a married woman with children, yet she was involved in a sexual relationship with a powerful white man. At the time black women were powerless to deny a white man his pleasures. She was also powerless when it came to reporting rape and other crimes against her. In some cases it was easier on her family for her to suffer in silence. To speak up could mean harm or death for her and her loved ones.
It seemed for some time after her encounters with Dr. Adams she stated having mental breakdowns or episodes that caused her to be admitted into a mental hospital on several occasions. It turns out her youngest child was the product of her encounters with Dr. Adams.
It seems she was used during her time as a free woman and a pawn in the politics, ego, and race matters while on trial and during her incarceration in a mental institution. Initially she was convicted of 1st degree murder, but then after years and an appeal she won a new trial and was found insane.
Because of the intricacies of the story and the lack of first hand accounts, the truth is lost, somewhere in between speculation and sensationalism. The story is divided by race. Most of the white people of Suwanee County chose to believe that she killed him over medical billing dispute. That was an easier pill to swallow than accepting that their beloved town doctor was taking advantage of a black woman. Most of the black people in the county knew about the doctor’s visits to her house and their frequent meetings in his office. They understood the situation, but in silence.
The sad part is her kids. After she was incarcerated and waiting to stand trial her husband ran off to avoid police retaliation and it is reported that he died of a heart attack. The 4 kids were left in the care of family members. Her youngest child was the daughter of Dr. Adams, not her husband. She was also pregnant with Dr. Adams’ second child at the time that she killed him. She was administered a drug while in prison to terminate it.
After the doctor’s death scores of information about his illegal activity and corrupt dealings came to light; making some question whether or not Ruby did Suwanee County a favor. This story begs for more attention, respect, and coveting of women’s rights and adequate care for the mentally ill.
The director and producers were on hand for a discussion after the film and Director, John Cork had some heavy words for the way in which Ruby and Dr. Adams’s lives were connected. He said “When you kill or rape someone they belong to you.” You are responsible for that person’s life. They stay with you. It’s akin to love and possession. In that way, Dr. Adams was responsible for Ruby’s life and what she had become due to his violation of her. Ruby was responsible for the doctor’s life as she took it away from him.
For more information on Ruby McCollum visit Black America Web:
by