Once upon a time, God created James Brown and then set him on a journey through life, that would change the world. In the mind of this journalist, this remarkable man, the late, flamboyant “Godfather of Soul” changed America and, without a doubt, made conditions better for Black people. James Brown rejuvenated and energized African Americans with his song, “Say It Loud, I ‘m Black and I’m Proud.” He opened America’s eyes to Black culture and a race of people who had been put through “pure hell” but still stood Black and Proud. James grew up in the South, so he fully understood racism, Jim Crow Laws, White Privilege, Black restrictions and what was deemed “acceptable” behavior for Black folks back then…
Yet, he masterfully navigated his way through all of the barriers of segregation and bigotry to become one of the most influential Americans who ever lived. Although many people, both Black and White, don’t really understand the importance of James Brown’s life, there are millions of others who do realize that James Brown, in his own way, articulated the Black experience in America, in a way that made Black folks feel good about themselves. He also helped White folks understand that we (Black people) were not ashamed of our race.
The things James Brown stood for are sorely needed today by our Black youth today; who seem to be proud of red and blue colors, video games, clothes, music and everything else except their race. If more African Americans would have the “Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud” mentality, there would be fewer Black gang members and less Black on Black crime. I could go on forever about the positive effect James Brown had on America, including the discovery of the great Rev. Al Sharpton in New York when he was just a little boy, but, I will end by saying that when we lost the “KING of Soul” James Brown, we lost a great man who can never be replaced. If you doubt the authenticity of my belief, then go online or to the library and research his life for yourself— Please, Please… God Bless America, Africa and all future “James Browns” who can help us to feel proud to be Black!
Ly’Tydrick “Doc” Riley, a wide receiver for the Texas A&M University Aggies was in East Texas recently visiting family and friends in Crockett. Ly’Tydrick came by my house and told me that he had a good game in the Holiday Bowl game in San Diego, California; despite the fact that his team lost the game. I asked him what advice he had for young people. His answer, “Find something that interests you and use those things to keep yourself busy, while you are getting your education.” He went on to say that playing sports is a good way to stay out of trouble. Ly’Tydrick is the son of Cynthia Riley of Crockett and the nephew of former Crockett star athletes, Jackie, Claude and Trampus Riley.
We were saddened to hear of the death of Dr. Linda Faye Williams of Chicago, a late 1960’s graduate of Lovelady, Texas’ Center Grove High School in Houston County. Dr. Williams was the daughter of the late, great East Texas (Lovelady) educator, W.C. Williams and his wife Wilma. She got her BA from Rice University in Houston and her PhD in political science at the University of Chicago. During her life, she was on the faculty at Howard University in Washington DC for nine years. Prior to that, she worked at Cornell, Brandeis and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Dr. Williams received many awards for her books, such as: the Michael Harrington best Book Award for “The Constrain of Race: Legacies of the White Skin Privilege in America” and a W.E.B. Dubois Best Book award in 2004. Dr. Williams was the devoted wife of Dr. Ralph C. Gomes of Chicago and loving mother of three children. She was also an historian, educator and advocate for the rights of women, the homeless, the working poor and people of color. She was interviewed by CNN, C-Span, Mac Neil-Lehrer, Nightline, The Today Show and was a regular contributor to three major newspapers—The New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal. The accomplishments of this East Texas Educator are much too numerous to mention in one column, so let it just be said that the world lost a great lady who left some giant shoes to be filled. Rest in Peace Dr. Linda Faye Williams, you did your job well; we will see you at the crossroads.
Since the article about Vidor, Texas and other racist towns, I’ve received a lot of new information about these places. One man, from that area, told me that Vidor is not as racist as it use to be, and that there were Black people living there, including a mixed race couple. I told him that was good news, if it was indeed true. I also suggested that the city of Vidor needed make that information public, especially for African Americans.
East Texas thanks go out to Reggie “Sweet” Johnson, Buffalo Gill, Dr. Ruth Watson, Barry “Tank” Chandler, Cliff Barkins, James Glover and Ed Nelson of Houston. Also, Rev. Haywood Henderson, Shug Smith, Rev. William Purvis of Kennard, George Wayne Platt, Charles Platt, Sue Harris, Mrs. Davey Wyatt, Floyd Ball, Mike “Heavy Love” Jones, Dr. Ianthia Fisher, Elbert Wayne Johnson, Burtis Wooten, Bernard David, Wendy Bibbs, Broderick David, Antonio “Tony” David and Rev. Hosea Dolpus of Crockett.
