East Suffolk High's 1960 Girls Basketball Team: A variety of beautiful girls in basketball uniforms

Article 2 Volume 14

The 1960 girls' basketball team played hard at both ends of the court.  In those days it was actually two games in one.  Three girls played defense at one end of the court, and if the offensive opponent missed a shot and the defense got the rebound, then they would pass the ball to their offensive teammates at the other end of the court so they could score or try to at their end.  This is the process they endeared for 4 eight-minute quarters. I can remember being impressed with the performances of Marylene Bolling, Sylvia Beamon, and Mary Langston.  They had a winning record.  They were coached by Miss Helen Spencer, a stern coach who made sure the team stayed focused on the task at hand. The task? Play to win.

I would welcome any news anybody can send to me about this team

at my email address: flashbryant@aol.com 

I wonder if there is anyone alive who can name all the girls in the picture.  If so, share the good news with us. if not all, as many as you can.
 

Nominees for East Suffolk High's 1960 Athlete of the Year, Ashley Taylor, Parris Carson and Chester Steward

Article 1, Volume 14             May 28, 2024

 The nominations and selection of Athlete of the Year (AOY) recognition occurred in May 1960 by a select group of randomly selected seniors.  The results were never published.  So, based on my memory and newspaper clippings from 65 years ago, I will present the nominees.  

1, The first nominee is Ashley Taylor

Ashley was considered a dominant force on the Boy's basketball team.  He was a big man who protected the rim and made it easier for the shooters. His role was huge in ESH's first and only District Championship in basketball.  But what really put him on the list was his outstanding performance on the track team.  Sometimes it seems as though he was a one-man team.  He represented the school very well in track. Benjamin Davis, Jr. was the team's coach.

2. The second nominee is Parris Carson

Parris was exceptional in basketball. He led ESH to its first regular season District Championship.  He averaged about 20 points per game and was considered one of the best players in the state.  Before Parris and the senior core group, of Richard Wheeler, James Ricks, Leon Copeland, Thomas Luster, and Ernest Williams became winners, home games generally attracted less than 50 students. In their senior year, typically, there was standing room only at home games. Parris's outstanding play earned him a scholarship to Elizabeth City College in North Carolina.  Of course, Coach Mack Benn gets credit for the team's development and play.

3. The third nominee is Chester Steward

Chester was one of the top players on the football team.  He was the center.  He showed outstanding leadership ability.  His play was solid.  He also played for a college after graduation.  The team also featured several other seniors including Leon Copeland, Shirley Ford, Harry Mayfield, Thomas Luster, Lawrence Everett, Mickey Almond, and 2-year all-county offensive tackle Grady Bryant.

Chester was a solid, reliable fielder and batter on the baseball team.  His leadership was evident.  He was a 2 letter athlete. He was considered to be the team's MVP. The team was also bolstered by Thurman "Bump" Patillo, a skillful outfielder, Cubby Wright, a four-year catcher, who had the honor of being considered ESH's GOAT catcher, and pitchers Arthur Simmons and Arthur Whitaker.

The three names above were the nominees.  Next week, June 7th,  I will publish for the first time, the winner of the AOY recognition citation for 1960.  McCoy Ricks was the unanimous winner in 1959.  He received a football scholarship to Kentucky State University. Other players who received votes were:  Lawrence Weaver, a 4-year starter in football and baseball; Parris Carson; and William Harell-Porter who had outstanding years in football and baseball in his freshman and sophomore years, then fell in love his junior year, but then got his passion back for the games, and had a very good year in both sports in his senior year. After graduation, he played for a college team in North Carolina before playing for an Army team in Germany.

ESH also had a girls' basketball team. Their setup was 6 players on the floor.  3 on defense at one end of the court and 3 on offense at the other end. The players could not cross the half-court line,  They generally played during or right after school hours.  They got only a little recognition because their games weren't covered by the school's reporter or made available to the local newspaper.  They had a winning record and they won the District Championship one year.  The outstanding senior players included Sylvia Beamon, Marylene Bolling, and Mary Langston. Their coach was Miss Helen Spencer.

Summer of 1963: Dr. Martin Luther spoke at Peanut Park In Suffolk, and 60 days later, he gave the "I had a dream" speech in D.C.

Article 2 Volume 13                                        August 28, 2023

Dr. Martin Luther King's speech at the Lincoln Memorial on this date in 1963, informed the citizens and the US government what African Americans wanted in the United States. The speech wasn't just about Dr. King's dream, it was about the demand by Civil Rights organizations for the right to vote, full access to jobs and education, and an end to segregated public accommodations. This speech resonated with people worldwide.

Background

In the Spring of 1963, I returned to the United States after a 2-year tour of military duty in France. I spent 30 days in Suffolk before reporting to Ft Chaffee in Fort Smith, Arkansas. It was a challenge for me to return to all the segregation that existed in the city.  Things were just different to me, after living in an integrated environment for two years.  I adjusted because I was still in the military. I got involved with the local NAACP.  We were making plans for Dr. King to visit Suffolk in June.  However, in late May, Dr. Freddie Shuttlesworth met with us in Union Hall and advised that Dr. King would be unable to come in June due to his demanding schedule.  Dr. Shuttlesworth gave us a good encouraging speech.

Then, on or about June 22, 1963, Dr. King sent word that he would be able to stop in Suffolk on June 28, 1963.  That was good news!  The local Civil Rights leaders immediately went into action,  They confirmed that Peanut Park would be available.  They notified the local newspapers, radio stations, and churches and posted notices where deemed necessary in and around town. 

It is estimated that on the night of the speech, a crowd of about 7,000 showed up.  This attendance was the largest gathering of afro Americans in Suffolk's history. Dr. King's speech was immaculate and inspiring. It gave hope to the Negroes (that's what we were called back then, and we didn't get upset about it) that a change was coming. 

Civil Rights Encounters and Deaths

Following are some of the ordeals

a.  Medgar Evers, was gunned down in Mississippi. All he wanted to do was attend an all-white state university.  b.  In May 1963, police used dogs, fire hoses, and clubs on peaceful marchers in Montgomery, Alabama. c. A church was bombed, killing 4 young black children in Montgomery, Alabama.  

If you want to know about our trials and tribulations in the Summer and year of 1963, go to the internet and do some self-study, because there is a push in the country, these days to make sure you don't learn anything about black history.

I encourage you to read, study, and read some more about the trials and tribulations we have endured; and be active in ensuring that we do not go backward in our pursuit of total freedom.

In churches, we talk about the Jews and their fight for freedom.  Let us, also talk, preach, and teach about our ordeals.  We don't have to wait until February or Black History Month.

Copyright 2023, Grady E. Bryant, Sr. All Rights Reserved.

Black History Month ended February 2023: We Need to report year round about Afro-Americans travails and success

 Article 1 Volume 13            March 7, 2023

    BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION IS A YEAR-ROUND THING

 Don't stop now!  Just because the month of February ended this year, doesn't mean we have to stop reporting and researching news about Afro-American's accomplishments in the world.  Don't grow weary in doing it.  Other races and nationalities do it year-round. For example, we spend 11 months of the year talking about Jewish history in black churches.  The Jews were slaves in the Bible, but when they left Egypt they had silver, gold, clothes, animals, and some even had slaves, so when God parted the Red Sea for them to cross they were not lacking the necessities needed for survival.

Whereas, when the Negroes (that was our official classification) were emancipated after the Civil War ended in 1865 they only had the clothes on their backs and a small sack of whatever. That is all, believe me.  No money, no animals, limited education, no job,  lack of essential basic material for basic needs in life.  

Though free, many of the ex-slaves agreed to continue to work for their ex-slave owner.  They were promised that they would have a better opportunity for survival if they would share crops.  For some, it worked out okay, but for many others, it didn't work out.  They couldn't read or write.  So, their survival was dependent on the integrity of the landowner.

Today, our knowledge is limited on our USA and World History.  We really know very little.  Although we have come a long way.  We still have a long way to go.  When I was in school Black History was celebrated for one week in schools.  Let me share what we talked about:

      1.  George Washington Carver and the peanuts, 2.  Mary McCloud Bethune, 3.  Booker T. Washington, and a few entertainers.  

      2.  Africa was referred to as an uncivilized continent.

      3.  In the movies, we thought that Tarzan, Jane, Boy, and the monkey ruled all of Africa.  We had no idea that it was the largest continent and had more natural resources than any other continent.  

     4.  All of the African people were black, like the real black, that appeared in the movies.  This depiction affected the self-esteem of some dark complexion children in schools.  Today, we are identified as Black.  But in the '50s and '60s if you called somebody Black in school you would be suspended for two days, and subject to 10 licks in the hand, by the teacher with a ruler. 

     5.  I mean, I had no idea that Africa had so many beautiful women, black, brown, tan, light, and many other human shades until I saw more positive news from and about Africa.  Realization really hit me, while in the military, I spent two years in France, with a lot of trips to Paris. 

I am not going to try and write the whole story at this time.  I just want to say, there is so much history to be told or shared.  

We cannot be satisfied with just reporting on crime, entertainers, sports figures, political issues, gossip, and a whole lot of other stuff that is happening in this world.

So,  keep reporting.  Churches need to report more about the Black race.  There is a lot of Black History in Biblical studies.  Bringing this information to the forefront requires more reading and studying.  

Look what is happening in the USA today.  The study of Black History is forbidden in many schools.  Yet, the same people who say it's offensive, find it okay to teach about how the Indians were massacred and their land confiscated, how the Mexicans were treated in the USA's drive to enlarge its territory.

In February, I read a lot of Black History news presented by a retired teacher, Mrs. Susie H. Bennett of Suffolk, Virginia, and Ms. Liisa Barnes, a current teacher in Fairfax County, Virginia. Great job ladies!  Also, add John King, a former high school basketball coach, and resident of Bailey's Crossroads, VA.  

So, to everyone with an interest, keep on reporting and studying.  Your readers will be enlighting and happy to say, "I'm Black, and I'm proud."

Copyright 2023 Grady E. Bryant Sr. All Rights Reserved.

  

Worthy Life Challenge: Congratulatory Message from W. Lovell Turner, Principal to East Suffolk High Class of 1960

Article 6 Volume 12

Looking back.  It was more than 62 years ago when Mr. W. Lovell Turner, the Principal, of East Suffolk High School wrote the following timeless congratulatory message to one of the school's most endeared graduating classes. The class of 1960. However, we want to share, and believe it can speak on behalf of all the graduates of ESH from 1940-1965.**

Mr. Turner was the only principal for this historic high school in its 26-year active history. It is estimated that more than 2,200 students graduated from this school, directly or indirectly during its tenure.

Mr. Turner a native of Anniston, Alabama was familiar with the trials and tribulations that confronted the African-American race in the United States. Therefore, this compelling message is as true today as it was when it was written and presented to the class in 1960.

**Racial adjustment. No graduating class in 1957. 12th grade was added for the school year 1957-1958.   The 12th grade had been in the high schools for white students for many years prior to 1957. 

Mr. Turner's message to the class:

                                                                                        "We are very happy to extend to you the class of 1960 our sincere congratulations on this particular occasion, your graduation from high school. This is an occasion that one never forgets no matter how many degrees he or she may receive.  We hope that during your stay here, the faculty and administration have been able to challenge you to the point that you will find yourselves in years to come in positions of influence for good Christian, democratic living in all walks of life we pray that the time will come when you will be able to stand upright and truly say "We are Americans in every sense of the word." This you will be able to do if you work hard and be thorough in all academic details, and treat all people, regardless of race, color, or creed, as human beings."                                                                       

                                                 W. Lovell Turner,

                                             /s/ W. Lovell Turner 

                                                       Principal   

___________________________________________________________________________________                People who read this website also read: www.wbcfallschurch.blogspot.com

 Worth noting: This message was written 3 years before Dr. Martin Luther King's famous Message on August 28,1963, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Copyright 2022. Grady E. Bryant, Sr. All Rights Reserved