After a night of spring rain, the day dawned bright and resembled a cool fall morning more than one in early April. But, all within earshot of a TV or smartphone knew the significance of the day. Those old enough to remember were telling where they were 50 years ago on April 4th when they heard the news of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination in Memphis.
In Memphis they prepared for the march to honor of one of the world’s most revered leaders. And, those who had come traveled from all around the world. James Thindwa grabbed a coffee at the bistro in the hotel where he stayed overnight before heading out for the march. Thindwa is a nationally recognized community organizer from Chicago.
“We have quite a few here, and they are from all around the country,” Thindwa mentioned. Thindwa is the community engagement liaison for the American Federation of Teachers. He had also attended the Mason Temple service Tuesday evening.
“It was a great program,” Thindwa explained in a voice tinged with enthusiasm for what appeared to be a revival in social justice advocacy. “It’s the energy…the historical perspective from the veteran leaders. I’m so glad there were so many young people there. The young people can learn from that.”
His remarks were echoed by Texas Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee as she exited the evening’s service. “It was reflective of yesterday and a lesson and model for tomorrow,” she said.
The 2018 version of the Memphis sanitation workers strike and tribute to Dr. King included cellphones, selfies, and social media. The “I AM A MAN” slogan remained the same and covered the backs of men, women, and children who represented generations of Americans with each adding its chapter to the country’s race narrative. In many ways the sense of inequality that brought Dr. King to Memphis in 1968 permeated the city.
Thindwa paid homage to the social justice template utilized by the Civil Rights Movement, pointing to it as the guide for civil disobedience even on his native continent, Africa. “In southern Africa, the entire script for the African National Congress came from the Civil Rights Movement,” he explained. “I would like to see ‘Black Lives Matter’ start pushing the envelope in what can be heard.”
A hurried Thindwa warmed to his topic but with limited time, he joined the members of his group as they headed for downtown and a day of celebrating the young southern preacher who changed an entire country and influenced many others.
President Jimmy Carter advanced opportunities for African Americans throughout his life, advocating for justice and peace consistent with the Christian values he embraced. Since his death on December 29 at age 100, Mr. Carter’s praises have been sung from his home state of Georgia to points around the globe. And while the former president’s one-term in the White House is dismissed by some political pundits for a lack of policies or accomplishments that changed the course of history, his character and integrity set him apart.
Carter became the first president to appoint a Black woman head of a federal agency. He chose Patricia Roberts Harris to lead the Housing and Urban Development when he took office in 1977.
Harris said, “I feel deeply proud and grateful this President chose me to knock down this barrier, but also a little sad about being the ‘first Negro woman,’ because it implies we were not considered before.”
Senator William Proxmire questioned Carter’s choice, saying Harris came from too much wealth and influence to be an effective leader. But Carter stood by his decision, and Harris stayed in the position for two years.
The 39th president’s name is also included on the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.
Civil rights activist, Rev. Al Sharpton recalled a conversation he shared with Carter.
“It was very significant, I was talking there at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial, and I was talking to President Clinton and President Carter,” Sharpton recalled. “And when Clinton and I finished talking, President Carter touched me on my arm and said, ‘How are you doing with your ministry, Al? I see you out there with your activism. Don’t leave your ministry … keep your prayer life going.’ And you could tell he sincerely meant it. He was not one who talked about his religion as a political kind of something you could say to voters.”
President Joe Biden declared January 9, 2025, a national day of mourning. Millions watched the former president’s funeral on television as he was remembered as a man of honesty, compassion and faith – which included championing the rights of Americans who knew firsthand the struggle of injustice
The Congressional Black Caucus started the 119th Congress with its largest membership. There were 62 members sworn in today.
“On behalf of the entire Congressional Black Caucus, congratulations to the members of the Executive Committee of the 119th Congress. 53 years after our Caucus’ founding, our work to improve the lives and conditions of Black people in America is more important than ever before,” said CBC President Steven Horsford.
In Arkansas a formerly all-Black school, Ouachita County Training School, has launched a national fundraising effort to restore the campus following its designation as a site on the National Register of Historic Places. One of the first corporate donations to OCTS, located in Bearden, Arkansas, came from the Katherine Anthony Foundation.
Anthony’s nephew, Steve, and CEO of Anthony Timberlands, presented a $10,000 check to the historic committee.
“We are happy to support the work of the Greater Bradley District Association and the Ouachita County Training School committee in their efforts to maintain the infrastructure and grounds of the training school, which is such an important part of the Bearden community,” Anthony said.
The National Park Service listed OCTS on the prestigious register in 2023.
“Since we received the news, we have been excited and motivated to raise the funds necessary to preserve this part of our history!” Virginia Ashley, committee president said. “We recognize the pivotal role OCTS played in educating several generations of young people who started right here and went on to contribute greatly to the Black middle class and the world.”
The gift of education
For education advocates, December holds a special place in American history. During the Christmas Season in 1952, the Supreme Court first heard arguments to eliminate segregation in the nation’s public schools. But, it took two more years before the Court issued its landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education, declaring segregation unconstitutional.
During the 1950s, OCTS educated Black students in the small southern town south of Little Rock, which became known internationally for The Little Rock Nine and their efforts to integrate Central High School. In Bearden, several Rosenwald Schools had consolidated to create the larger OCTS campus that educated students from the first through the 12th grades.
“I have such wonderful memories of my days as a student at OCTS,” recalled Pearlie Newton, a retired educator and executive director of the OCTS historic committee. “My dad helped pour concrete at the campus, my husband and I met there and it was in one of the classrooms that my goal to become an educator took shape.”
Despite the Supreme Court’s 1954 decision eliminating “separate but equal” schools, OCTS remained segregated until 1971 when it merged with the white school district in the area. An association of Black Baptist churches known as the Greater Bradley District Association purchased the campus for use as its headquarters.
Pastor and Association Moderator, Verna Thompson, said, “We are excited about the renovation and look forward to holding our church services and meetings in a modernized facility that holds so much historic significance.”