Article l Volume 12 March 11, 2022
I'm going to talk about a lot of different matters that might be of interest to the East Suffolk High community. If you are not interested in this, you might be interested in that as you read through my list. Please, don't be too hard on my writing because I'm still a student of writing; despite having written more than 800 published news articles and stories. It all started in 1958 when I was a sophomore at East Suffolk high. I was self-appointed to write a weekly news article for Norfolk's Journal and Guide newspaper and shortly after the Suffolk News Herald.
Now, let us visit today's topic:
A. In Florida they passed a law, banning the teaching of black history or news in schools or state businesses that would make white children or white people uncomfortable. They call it"the feel-good law".
So, in Florida don't teach about all the lynchings that occurred in Florida and the south; don't teach about the Black neighborhood that was burned down in the 1920s and several blacks were killed; don't talk about all the people who were killed and their neighborhood destroyed in the 1920s in Oklahoma; the massacre of elected officials in 1898 in Wilmington, NC; the ban of blacks from attending Bob Jones University, a so-called religious school in Florida ( that is where it was before moving to Greenville, SC) and the list goes on.
Of course, the black folks could say the teaching of white history makes them uncomfortable. This opposition could include talking about how, perhaps, thousands of Indians were killed.
I encourage you to visit the following website and read about the teaching of black history
https//www.wbcfallschurch@blogspot.com If that doesn't work just google: warner baptist church my journal
I talk a lot about how we came out of slavery. But consider this, the Jews came out of captivity more than 15 times according to the Bible. They would be delivered, after a few years, then they would be conquered again. So, my message to the Afro- Americans is BEWARE!
B. I talk a lot about local influential people in Suffolk. Today I'm going to mention 6 people from the Pleasant Hill community.
1. This young man came home from the army and the neighborhood still did not have any water in the community, except by pumps and wells. So, William "Bro" Porter led the drive for public water in the community. Thanks to Mr. Porter we finally got running water in or about 1949. His daughter is Julia Porter a graduate of East Suffolk or she certainly did attend there.
2. Person #2- Amanda Riddick Rogers. She grew up on Baker Street. A tremendous teacher in high school. Also, she is loaded with information about the history of the community.
3. Person #3 - Susie Harrell Bennett, she grew up on Baker Street, in that big house next to the railroad track. The train whistle woke her up every morning and she knew it was time to get busy in preparing to meet the challenges of the day. Very knowledgeable of the community history. Outstanding teacher. Her positive influence helped a lot of students. Can't talk about her without mentioning her spouse, Councilman Leroy Bennett. His concern and work for the community and city are beyond measure.
4. -"Bro" Joe Riddick led the drive to get electricity in the community. The county told him he needed a partition and to collect $1.00 from as many families as he could. He was successful in this drive, but there was one man who refused to give because he did not think we needed electricity in the community.
5. Dr. Phyllis Bivens-Hudson grew up in the 1960s, in poverty, homelessness, and hunger in the pleasant hill community. She lived in the Pond Town cinder block homes community as well as Duke St and Cementary Street. She was abused and taken advantage of by many adults. At the age of 16 or 17, with a baby in her arms, living independently, she left Suffolk and went to New Jersey and encountered more hardships, but was able to continue her education and find a better life. She earned her doctorate degree and taught at Rutgers University. Her book, "Flying on Broken Wings" is very good.
C. My sympathy goes out to the family of Orvel "Arlee" Beamon (I know they started saying Ali,).
Orvel was the greatest athlete, in my opinion, to play football for the school in the history of East Suffolk High. He led East Suffolk High, in 1964, to its only state championship in any sport in the school's history. That year's opponents, all 9 combined scored 20 or fewer points against the Wolverines. The team was also anchored by Fred Ballard, the quarterback, and a few other outstanding players.
I recommend you search this blog site and read the article in 2013, google: Orvel Beamon "the glorious dash".It is one of the best news articles I have ever read about East Suffolk High. Interestingly, the best and most exciting play in the history of East Suffolk High football was the last play in the game against arch-rival, Booker T. Washington of Suffolk, Va. That play was the "glorious dash".
Copyright 2022.Grady E. Bryant, Sr. All rights reserved.
( The top picture was taken in June 2014, the bottom picture in March 2022)
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