"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" ATTORNEY LOUIS BERRY

Recently, I came across a legal term known as,"Racial Polarization." Although you don't really hear the term used that much anymore, the term actually goes all the way back to the 1860s! It seems that the term started soon after the American Civil War, before the passage of the 15th Amendment. Not only that, but the term was also connected to what was known as, "Racial Polarized Voting." You see, Racial Polarized Voting played a big part in the passage and ratification of the 15th Amendment. Additionally, the term was widely used here in Monroe, Louisiana, during the 1970s when several Upstanding Black Men were trying to win election to public offices. Racial Polarization came up in the election for Commissioner of Streets, when Richard O. Miles ran for election in 1972, and again when Rev. John L. Russell ran for Commissioner of Finance, in 1972. By the way, the term was still being tossed around in 1976 when former Carroll High School Principal Morris Henry Carroll ran for Commissioner of Public Works. Finally, Racial Polarization and Racial Polarized Voting was referred to in the Famous Class Action Lawsuit,"Ausberry versus the City of Monroe," on behalf of the Black Citizens of Monroe that occurred in the 1970s. After reading the lawsuit online, I have to admit that some of the accusations mentioned backed then, are still going on in Louisiana today, in 2025! With that said, on to this week's Black Pioneer. Louis Berry was born October 9, 1914, in Alexandria Louisiana. He was the son of Frank Berry Sr., a tailor and grocer in Alexandria. In 1941, Louis graduated from Howard University's School of Law. By the way, it May interest you to know that on August 1, 1945, "Louis was the first Negro admitted to practice Law in the State of Louisiana for almost 20 years!" Up until then, a Negro by the name of A.P. Tureaud was the last Black person to be admitted to practice Law in Louisiana, back in 1927. A turning point in Louis's career came in 1947, when Southern University opened it's new Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Louis was elated when he was chosen to serve on the faculty at Southern University! However, a few years later, he decided to return to Alexandria to practice Law there. According to reports, when Louis made it back to Alexandria, he became the first and only Negro Lawyer in Alexandria at that time. Along with being a lawyer, Louis was also a Civil Rights Activist. He worked side by side with most of the BLACK ministers in Alexandria. to help register Negroes to vote! A local Alexandria newspaper credited Louis and his activism for helping improve the living conditions and voting turnouts in the Black Communities of Alexandria. Near the end of his life, Louis was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame, located in Winnfield, Louisiana. Finally, on May 3, 1998, Louis Berry, a Champion for Justice and Equality for Black People, passed away in Lafayette, Louisiana. I a line saying, 'You've been informed...." Is that part of your column? Once I open the email, it disappears. If that is something that needs to be added, please resend. Thank You! Shalivia Monroe Free Press 507 N. 17 St. | Monroe, LA 71201 T(318) 388-1310 F(318) 388-2911 www.monroefreepress.com Show quoted text