By Major W. Cox
January. The name of the month is derived from Janus, the Roman god of gates and doors, and hence of openings and beginnings. January is also a time of reflecting upon and closing the doors to the past year. This column does both, we open 1997 by reflecting upon the work we did in 1996.
We began the year with "Heroic Act," a piece remembering Col. Floyd Mann. Col. Mann is the legendary lawman who distinguished himself at the Greyhound Bus Station on May 20, 1960, while protecting Freedom Riders from a white mob of several thousand rioters. By every account, on this day, Floyd Mann manifested extraordinary bravery.
"Institutional Racism Still Oppresses" drew a line of distinction between individual and institutional racism. We discussed, for example, the challenge of eliminating racism embedded in our criminal justice system; which manifests a disproportionately high incarceration rate for nonwhite males. We recognized gains in eliminating individual acts of racism while finding institutional racism more difficult to ferret out of society.
As a people, Americans vigorously defend our right to individual freedom. "Citizens Must Demand Responsibility" discussed the consequences of unfettered reproductive freedom. The piece cited research demonstrating a direct link between fatherlessness and unwed motherhood, and the array of social pathologies exhibited by today's youth.
May 16th marked the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Plessy vs. Ferguson. This was the infamous decision which ushered in nearly six decades of "Jim Crow" segregation. "Race still warps American Reality" looked at our society for evidence of progress toward racial harmony, and Justice John Marshall Harlan's vision of "colorblind" justice.
On Father's Day, nearly 6 of every 10 children born in the 1990s awakened to find themselves in a home without their biological father. "Society Must Care More About Fathers" addressed the vital role fathers play in their children's lives. This piece explored Fatherhood's much richer metaphysical status, richer than either the biological or legal terminology used to define the role.
"Facts Justify Concern For Burnings" chronicled a rash of church fires causing nationwide concern. Many feared that the fires were racially motivated. President Clinton met with Southern governors and attorneys general at the White House as an expression of his concern. Governor James refused to attend that meeting. He said that the fires were not racial and called the President's meeting a political ploy. There are no irrefutable facts supporting either man's position. Today, church fires are no longer in the news. Multiracial groups of volunteers have rebuilt some of the churches and the President won reelection.
During the year, Justice Clarence Thomas received extreme criticism from black leaders for many of his positions on the Supreme Court. "Much To Learn From Thomas' Ascent" suggested that he be viewed as a role model for other Americans of his hue. Clarence Thomas may be the man to light the path for us to find our way out of America's political maze of racial categories.
In late August, with "History Solidly On Side Of Dole, GOP," we got it wrong. It was a good call at the time, after all, Republicans have held the presidency for 80 of the 136 years since President Lincoln became the first Republican to hold the office. The column suggested that Dole's outreach to women and nonwhite voters would end split level government. That didn't happen.
A month before the election, "Black Voices Not Heard In Campaign," pondered the muted voices of those who heretofore spoke so passionately to the political issues affecting nonwhite voters. The column cited Senator Shelby's 1994 switch from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party as an example of the political treachery and indifference some white politicians manifest toward nonwhite supporters.
"What's Wrong With Biracial Label?" This November article chronicled a 13 year old Cloverdale Junior High School student's clash with the school board over it's racial classification policy. Bethany Godby simply wants to include her heritage from both her white father and black mother in her racial classification. Her attorney, Wayne Sabel, says she has the right claim the heritage of both parents.
In December, we began our new publishing schedule, twice a month. "Thompson's Remarks Lincolnesque" introduced the month. Here we surrendered the column to Chief U.S. District Judge Myron H. Thompson's short speech, delivered at the groundbreaking ceremony for the U.S. Federal Courthouse Annex. Our mid-month piece, "One Montgomery Quietly At Work," profiled Attorney Robert Black, Jr. and Ms. Vera Jordan, the organization's 1997 Co- chairs.
This closes the door on my 1996 reflections, while looking ahead to an exciting New Year.
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Originally Published: 1 January 1997, Montgomery Advertiser
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