Article 3 Volume 7
Do not crown former citizens as heroes for civil rights acts without documented proof
INTRODUCTION
Many Afro-Americans refer to acts in the past of some persons as heroic or events that occurred as noble acts, that improved the lives of citizens in their communities, city or even the country.
When we look back at events that occurred more than fifty years ago, some citizens, in my opinion, get the substance of what occurred, mixed up with what they may have dreamed or imagined, confused with reality.
Four stories were reported in the Suffolk News Herald with information provided by citizens of the Afro-American community, that contain information designed to elevate a person or event to heroic status.
I differ with the assertions presented in each story. You may differ with me. Following is my introduction to each story.
I differ with the assertions presented in each story. You may differ with me. Following is my introduction to each story.
THE STORIES LEAD IN
1. Black confederate soldier. Invitations were extended to the black community to come to a church and celebrate his life. There was a popular song in the sixties called, "What kind of fool do you think I am?"
You would be surprised to know how many folks showed up.
2. Deputy sheriff was a civil rights pioneer. Was he a hero? He just performed his duty when he provided protection at Peanut Park for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on his visit to Suffolk in 1963.
He was not the first or only black deputy sheriff in Nansemond County. Plus, he indicated, according to a local report that he did not have any special interest in that Civil Rights stuff. He was a good deputy sheriff who performed his duties. We should not embellish his status.
3. East Suffolk High's historic marker. The words do not present an accurate story of the origin of East Suffolk High . The school was not built with any money from the Julius T. Rosenwald Fund. The man from Sears did a lot good things. His fund, however, did not contribute $1 to the East Suffolk High building. The school, therefore, should not be referred to as a Rosenwald School (Julius T. Rosenwald established a fund to assist or build lots of schools for black children in the south).
The marker pays tribute to two men who had nothing to do with the construction of East Suffolk High and omits its one and only principal, Lowell Turner.
4. Rayfield Vines was a civil rights hero in Suffolk . Was he a hero? He was a friend of mines. We served together in the Suffolk chapter of the youth NAACP. Rayfield was the president. He did a lot of good things. Our meetings were at the Union Hall on East Washington St.
THE STORIES
My views on each story will be reported separately. The first story will be published on June 25, 2016.
Copyright 2016. Grady Bryant, Sr.
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