Robert "Say" McIntosh facts for kids

Robert Robinson McIntosh, also known as Robert "Say" McIntosh (born January 16, 1944 – died June 2023), was an American civil rights activist. He was known for speaking out on political issues in Little Rock, Arkansas. Robert was born in Osceola, Arkansas, but grew up in Little Rock. He often challenged state politicians, especially during Bill Clinton's time as governor.

Early Life and Education

Robert McIntosh was the fifth of eleven children in his family. He went to Horace Mann High School, which was a historically black school. However, he left school in the tenth grade.

Becoming a Community Leader

Opening a Restaurant and Helping Others

McIntosh opened his own restaurant in Little Rock. He became very famous for his delicious sweet potato pie. He first became well-known to the public in the late 1970s. The Arkansas Democrat newspaper even named him "Arkansan of the Year." This was because he acted like "Black Santa" in Little Rock. He quietly delivered Christmas gifts to children living in housing projects.

Public Actions and Protests

Robert McIntosh enjoyed being in the public eye. He often organized events that kept people talking about him.

Catering for Peace

Once, he even offered to cater a Ku Klux Klan meeting in Little Rock. He said he wanted "to show them love." He also offered to feed Cuban refugees who were staying at Fort Chaffee in 1980. These refugees had recently arrived in the U.S. during the Mariel boatlift. Officials at Fort Chaffee did not accept his offer. McIntosh later explained that he knew they wouldn't accept, but he wanted to get attention for his cause.

Sweet Potato Pies for Political Causes

McIntosh often sold his sweet potato pies to help fund his political campaigns. When Governor Bill Clinton raised the fee for license plates, many Arkansans bought McIntosh's pies as a way to protest the new fee. This helped Clinton's opponent, Frank D. White, win the election for governor in 1980.

That same year, McIntosh ran for lieutenant governor as a Democrat. He received about 12 percent of the votes. Later, he briefly joined the Republican Party but soon returned to the Democrats. He also tried to get elected to the Little Rock City Board of Directors in 1988 but was not successful.

Protesting for Civil Rights

Robert McIntosh was a strong voice for civil rights. When a tree was planted on the Arkansas capitol grounds to honor Martin Luther King Jr., McIntosh felt that African Americans were not properly included in the event. The next day, he chopped the tree down in front of reporters. He stated, "No black man was invited to be present for the tree planting. I'm cutting it down till blacks are invited to be part of the political process in Little Rock."

Symbolic Protests

McIntosh sometimes used dramatic ways to protest. He once strapped himself to a large wooden cross on the capitol steps. He did this to protest what he saw as unfair treatment by state officials. During one protest, he wore thermal underwear on a very hot day, which led to him getting heat stroke and needing hospital care.

Another time, he set up his cross in front of the Governor's Mansion. When Governor White was asked why a man was on a cross outside his home, he jokingly replied, "He displeased me." In 1983, McIntosh put himself on a cross in front of the Pulaski County Sheriff's office. He quickly took himself down when Sheriff Tommy F. Robinson appeared with a chainsaw.

Legacy

Some people called Robert McIntosh a bit unpredictable, but most agreed he was a unique and memorable part of Arkansas history. He was sometimes called "The Petey Greene" of Arkansas, referring to a famous radio personality and activist.