“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” : NEGROS FOR DEFENSE AND JUSTICE INC.

 Before I  begin my lead story, I would like to mention a few events surrounding and leading up to it. Most of the events took place between 1961 and 1965. First up, the State of Louisiana tried to get the NAACP to turnover a list of the names of its members. The State even went as far as “suing” the NAACP in court( Louisiana ex rel. Gremillion v. NAACP court case ) in 1961  to keep the NAACP from operating in Louisiana. Nevertheless, to keep from dealing with the Louisiana law about turning in member names, many of the NAACP Chapters in Louisiana discontinued operations and became Voter Leagues instead.  Next, who could forget “FREEDOM SUMMER” in 1964. Freedom Summer was a C.O.R.E.[ Congress of Racial Equality ] operation  to register more Black voters . The Deacons For Defense protected all of the members of C.O.R.E. who stayed in Jonesboro, Louisiana during Freedom Summer. During those times, some  people would say that the greatest event that transpired was the landmark  Civil Rights Law passed by the U.S. Congress, known as The Civil Rights Act of 1964. Conversely, some people would say that the 1965 Jackson High School boycott in Jonesboro, Louisiana was equally important as  any other event at that time. Throw in the fact that the White Citizens’ Council and The Ku Klux Klan had begun their racists & brutal attacks on Negroes in Louisiana, escalating racial tension amongst the Whites and Blacks . Plus, Martin L. King Jr and the NAACP were insisting on using non-violent civil disobedience measures in response of attacks by whites. Additionally, the local  police weren’t trying to stop the Klan from harassing the Black citizens of Jonesboro. Needless to say, the Black citizens of Jonesboro,Louisiana were in strong need of protection! Now to the featured story. Several months before the death of Malcolm X,  in the small town of Jonesboro, Louisiana, a group of Black males{ some who had fought in Vietnam  } united,organized, and founded the “Deacons For Defense”( and Justice Inc ) Organization. Although the group was actually established in 1964, they didn’t file their paperwork with the state until March of 1965[ Note : Mrs Barbara L Sharp of Monroe, Louisiana name appears on the witness page of the group’s Articles of Incorporation ]. It is also rumored that the group sought and received counsel from Barbara Sharp’s husband{ Attorney James Sharp Jr } when they came to Monroe in March of 1965. Also, it was reported that a Deacons for Defense Chapter was established in Bogalusa, Louisiana on February 21, 1965( the same day that Malcolm X was assassinated ). In order to become a member of the Deacons For Defense, you had to be a male, at least 21 years of age, know how to properly handle and operate a gun, be mild mannered( not a hot-head ), be well respected in the community, and pay your monthly dues and other membership  fees.  One of the members named Army Johnson, owned a place of business called “The Joy Room.” The facility featured a cafe’, a barbershop, a roller skating rink, a washateria, and a boarding house. Like most of the Black organizations, the Deacons of Defense were said to have had FBI informants who infiltrated their group. One of the White C.O.R.E. members from New York is said to have personally given secret information to the FBI about the group as early as January of 1965. In a speech given by the group’s Vice-President, Ernest Thomas, the group had over 55 Chapters throughout the South and the United States. It was surprising…no shocking for the police{ and the Klansmen } to see Black men with guns who weren’t afraid of them, and weren’t afraid to use their guns to defend themselves and members of their Black communities. There were several instances where members of The Deacons For Defense had to use their weapons to show the Klan and the police that they were going to defend themselves with guns and rifles, if necessary. In 2003, the story about the Deacons For Defense was made into an American television drama film directed by Bill Duke,  and starred Ossie Davis and Forest Whitaker. In closing, I would like to say that while the Deacons For Defense group only  lasted a few years, the impact they made and the legacy they left behind will last forever! 

“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” : ROBERT F WILLIAMS

   Today, in Monroe, Louisiana with all that has been going on. It is fitting to begin this article with a quote from a little known Black Leader who played a big part in the Civil Rights Movement. Even today, his quote,”It’s Time For Black Men to Standup and Be Men” speaks volumes! The person that I am speaking of was Robert F Williams. He was one of the first Black  Civil Rights Leader to bring international attention to the Black man’s struggle for civil rights in America. In addition to being a Negro Civil Rights Leader, Robert F Williams was the author of the “Negro Classic” non-fictional book,”Negroes With Guns.” A book that is said to have inspired Huey P Newton, Bobby Seale, and Elbert Howard to form the legendary “Black Panther Party.” Additionally, the book is reportedly to have influenced a group of courageous Negro men in Jonesboro, Louisiana , who were led by Earnest “Chilly Willy” Thomas and Frederick Douglas Kirkpatrick in forming the “The Deacons for Defense and Justice.” Robert  F Williams was born in Monroe on February 26, 1925. Back then,The City of Monroe had a racist police officer( who later became  the Chief of police in Monroe) by the name of Jesse Helms Sr{ who was the father of the racist Senator, Jesse Helms Jr }. When he was only 11 years  old, Robert witnessed the dragging and beating of a Black lady by Officer Jesse Helms. However , before I continue with my story, I must alert you that the city he was born in was “Monroe, North Carolina,”( and not  Monroe, Louisiana ). Now,back to the story. When Robert’s grandfather died, his grandmother gave him his grandfather’s gun. An act that would prove to have a great influence on and in his life as an adult. Robert was drafted in 1944 to serve in WWll. He ended up as a private in the segregated Marines[ where he remained for almost 2 years ].Soon after his return to Monroe, North Carolina, Robert joined the local chapter of the NAACP. Surprisingly, he was elected President of the Monroe chapter. Due to the high presence of the Ku Klux Klan and their frequent harassment of Black females, Robert applied to the National Rifle Association for a charter for a local rifle club. He named the Monroe chapter of the NRA,”The Black Armed Guard.” In the summer of 1957, The Black Armed Guard were dispatched to the home of the Vice-President of the NAACP( Dr. Albert E. Perry) to protect him from an attack by the local Klan{KKK}. The members of the KKK drove up to the house and fired first, and the members of The Black Armed Guard returned their gunfire, and ran them off! The area of town in Monroe where Robert lived was called,”Newtown”{ Newtown was also where the Freedom Riders were housed while in Monroe, North Carolina }. The main thing that stands out about Robert F Williams is his courage and commitment to protecting Blacks from those who were trying to do them harm. He died on October 15,1996 in Michigan. The Mother of the Civil Rights struggle, Rosa Parks gave the eulogy at his funeral in 1996, praising him  for his commitment and courage in the fight for civil rights in America. 

“0UR RICH BLACK HERITAGE. : ETHEL L PAYNE

One of the pioneers of the Black Press was “ETHEL L PAYNE.” Many people referred to Ethel as The “FIRST LADY” of the Black Press. Well, interesting enough, her career didn’t begin as a journalist at all. It was documented that she left her job as a senior library assistant with the Chicago Public Library in 1948 to move overseas to accept a job as a service club hostess at the Army Special Services Club( an organisation similar to the Red Cross ) in Tokyo, Japan. Ethel L Payne later became the Director of the Services Club in Tokyo. Although she was good at her job, in her heart she felt a longing to become a writer. Therefore, she decided to keep a journal of her experiences in Tokyo. After several months of journaling, a reporter from Chicago ended up visiting the Services Club where Ethel worked. Ethel saw this as an opportunity to get an expert’s opinion of her writings in her journal. So, she arranged a meeting where the reporter could review her writings. The visiting reporter from the Chicago Defender newspaper was so intrigued with Ethel’s journal that the reporter agreed to take Ethel’s journal back to the United States. Within a couple of weeks, Ethel’s writings were being used in the Chicago Defender newspaper, as the basis for front page stories! Thanks to the reporter helping to use her writings,Ethel decided to move back to the United States{ in 1951 } to accept a position working for Sengstacke Newspapers,the publisher of the Chicago Defender. Ethel L Payne went on to cover many historic events of the Civil Rights Era. Also, she once asked President Dwight D Eisenhower a question that angered him very much. It was the question of exactly when he planned on ending segregation in interstate travel? As a representative of the Black Press, Ethel L Payne even went and covered the Vietnam War, along with covering the events of the African-American troops in Vietnam. In 2002, Ethel L Payne was one of four journalists honoured with a U.S. postage stamp in a “Women of Journalism” set. Not only was Ethel a pioneer in The Black Press, she was an “Instrument of Change!” On May 28, 1991, Ethel L Payne died of a heart attack(at her home in Washington D.C. ). In closing, thanks to The Black Press, the stories and achievements of the Negro are being told and retold again and again! Black parents and Black children can hold their heads high and know that their ancestors accomplished great things, despite having to endure the degradation of slavery and racism in America.

“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” - RICHARD. BARRINGTON ( encore edition )

ONCE upon a time in old Monroe( back when White people “ LITERALLY OWNED” Negroes as their private property ), there lived a respectable Negro slave named, Richard Barrington. It is reported that he came to America via a slave-ship called, “The Hunter.” At the tender age of 16, young Richard was sold to Solomon Downs of Ouachita Parish[ in Louisiana ]. He went back to Monroe, Louisiana with Solomon Downs to live on the Down’s Plantation { about 3 miles south of Monroe }. It was on the Down’s Plantation that Richard learned to read and write.He took full advantage of his master’s extensive library.When Solomon Downs was elected as Senator of Louisiana in 1847, he took his trusted slave,Richard Barrington along with him. Richard would serve Senator Downs in many capacities, including cook,butler, barber,body servant,private secretary, and treasurer. Upon his death, Senator Downs granted “FREEDOM” to Richard and his family. It was also reported that Richard Barrington bought the tombstone for his former master’s grave( the grave is here in Monroe at Riverview Cemetery ). Richard Barrington is also known to have operated a fine barbershop, which was located on South Grande St. in Monroe. Richard Barrington died on November 19, 1904. Some of the White folks were said to have liked Richard Barrington so much that they had his obituary printed in The New Orleans Times newspaper. Some of the citizens of Monroe, Louisiana who can be traced back to Richard Barrington include Maurice Johnson[ a former band director of Carroll High School and Grambling State University ], and Richard Zemry Johnson Sr, a former band director of Richwood High School . In closing, it is saddening that many Blacks in Monroe do not know that Richard Barrington was the founder of one of the first schools for Negroes in Monroe, Louisiana. The school was named “ The Wisner School.” It was reportedly located on the same site as the Black Charter School founded in Monroe by Roosevelt Wright( Excellence Academy ). It’s a shame that our young Black men in Monroe, Louisiana know more about the history of the National Football League, than they know about their BlACK ancestors that lived and paved the way for us today! EXRTA INFO : Since Richard Barrington was designated a "House-Slave" by his master, he got to stay in the "Big House" and learn to read as well.His wife's name was Letitia and the couple had 3 children.His son Frank Barrington would go on to finish college in St. Louis, and then returned to Monroe,Louisiana to help his father start the Wisner School. The Wisner school housed all 12 grades and Frank Barrington became the school's first principal.In 1922, Monroe Colored High replaced the Wisner School( and later Carroll High School would replace Monroe Colored High as the High School for Colored People in the city of Monroe ). Also, in 1894 Richard Barrington was interviewed by a reporter from the Daily Picayune Newspaper.During the Interview, Richard Barrington elaborared to the reporter about his experiences as a slave, and the events he encountered while traveling with his master. This is how the article about the interview started : The Daily Picayune (New Orleans, LA), November 4, 1894, Page 23 RICHARD BARRINGTON : The Story of a Faithful Old Colored Servant,Several state papers carried his obituary, including the New Orleans Times-Democrat (November 20, 1904, Page 9). Then, Here's the obituary for Richard Barrington that was published in the New Orleans newspaper. MONROE.Louisiana : Death of an Old and Respected Negro. Special to The Times-Democratic. Monroe, Nov. 19. – There died to-day at his humble home near this city a notable character, a negro respected by all who knew him, white and black alike. Richard W. Barrington, aged eighty-five years, was the best and highest type of negro. Before the war he was the body servant of Gen. Solomon W. Downs, and while his master represented his State in the United States Senate during slavery days, he always accompanied and tended him. With his master, he met all the celebrities, Webster, Clay, Calhoun and others, and many were the interesting anecdotes he told of them and Washington life. his demeanor toward the whites was always respectful. The funeral will take place to-morrow at 12 o’clock from his home, east of town, the burial to be in his family burying ground.

HERITAGE” - MARY CHURCH TERRELL

When you think about any of the long-term Black Civil RightS Organizations in Monroe , Louisiana, one of the first that comes to mind is “The National Association For The Advancement of Colored People( NAACP). During Black History Month,if you were to ask anyone about the early days of The NAACP Organization. The two names most commonly mentioned in the African-American community are W.E.B. Dubois and Ida B Wells.Well, I went back and discovered that there was another outstanding Negro female who was also a co-founder of The NAACP Organization. Her name was “Mary Church Terrell.” She was born Mary Eliza Church on September 23, 1863. According to several sources, both of Mary’s parents were of mixed ancestry. Her paternal grandfather was Captain Charles B. Church[ a white steamship owner and operator from Virginia ].Mary’s father, Robert Church, was smart with the money he earned as a steward on his father’s ship. He saved his money and invested in real estate. He made a killing off of the property he bought at the time when the city of Tennessee was “depopulated” and following the 1878 yellow fever epidemic.Need-less-to-say, Robert Church is considered to have been the first African-American millionaire in the South. Mary Church Terrell excelled in school and is famous for being one of the first African-American women to earn a college degree. Not only was She affluent in the English language, but she was also affluent in the French and German languages as well. By the way, in addition to being a co-founder of The NAACP, she also co-founded The Colored Women’s League in 1892( in Washington, D.C.). Interestingly, in 1896, the Colored Women's League and the Federation of Afro-American Women merged to form the National Association of Colored Women[ NACW ], with Mary Church Terrell as the first president. She was also a co-founder of The National Association of College Women in 1923. Mary went on to join the fight for women’s suffrage and civil rights for Negroes . Some of the tactics she used in fighting for equal rights were sit-ins, boycotts, and picketing. Due to her work and affiliation with several of the white citizens of Washington , Mary decided to attend a convention for the National American Woman Suffrage Association ( NAWSA ). It was while attending this NAWSA Convention in the early 1890s that Mary stood up and spoke up for Colored women. Among the speakers on the platform that day was none other than Susan B Anthony. Susan B Anthony asked Mary if she was a member of the NAWSA Organization. Mary said, no she wasn’t, but she hoped that the convention members were open to suggestions from a Colored woman. Mary and Susan went on to work together on many other projects dealing with women’s suffrage. After a life-time of fighting for women’s rights and the civil rights of Negroes, Mary died two months after the famous “Brown vs The Board of Education” decision of The Supreme Court in 1954. Then when you thought that you had heard the last of Mary Church Terrell, she was inducted as a member of “The 2020 National Women’s Hall of Fame” along with Aretha Franklin, Toni Morrison, and Henrietta Lacks{ I urge everyone to please go online and read more about this “Phenomenal Black Woman” & co-founder of The NAACP, Mary Church Terrell }. From my research, it appears to me that while Blacks still have Black organizations in Monroe, Louisiana, just as Blacks did back in Mary’s time. Surprisingly, the Black organizations that we have today don’t seem to all be on one accord. It’s not that they do not get along, it’s that they’re not working together in unison. How are Blacks going to get their fare share of what they are due, if we aren’t going to get on the same page. Sadly, I have yet to see the Black Leaders in Monroe, Louisiana begin to unite & organize the Black citizens of Monroe.We have less than two years to unite the Black citizens of Monroe, so that we can say farewell to Mayor Oliver Ellis!!!