|
J |
anuary 1, 1975, opened with a stirring Emancipation Day service at Steward Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, one of Macon’s oldest Black churches. Steward Chapel’s founders, in the early 1860s, worshipped on the banks of the Ocmulgee River along with other enslaved people who eventually formed the Hosley Temple Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, Unionville Baptist Church, Steward Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Bethel Colored Methodist Episcopal Church.
.“It’s in action that we find out who we are"
--Rev. C.T. Vivian
Jack Pot
By March 12, 1975, it was clear that the Lucas-Randall bill, with an amendment made by Representative Bill Evans, would gain approval and the governor’s signature. Armed with this belief, Julius Vinson, a 12-year insurance sales representative for Professional Insurance Corporation, announced he would be a candidate for Macon’s City Council from Ward 3.Vinson, history records, at age 49, became the first Black person to announce a run for a seat on the Macon City Council, Ward III Post 2. The Trustee Board member at Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church lived in the Pleasant Hill community where civil rights boss Bill Randall and the new State Representative Billy Randall lived. At the time, speculation in the Black community held that the Randalls put Vinson in the race to control that seat on the council.
Vinson grew up in Macon, Georgia. He graduated from the famed Ballard Normal School and received acclaim for his robust baritone voice.
“Every time the White folks wanted to shift the conversation,” State Senator David Lucas said 50 years later, “they would have Vinson sing a song.”
Vinson quickly identified “pave streets and a comprehensive recreation plan” as an issue he would address if elected to the council. (The Macon Telegraph, March 12, 1975, Page 3). Also, Vinson listed “equal justice” on his platform and wanted to see some degree of reform in the function of the Municipal Court. Ibid.
Before 1975, there was no such thing as a hotel-motel tax in Macon, Georgia. Vinson came out of the box, advocating for a tax on the hospitality industry to raise tax revenue for the city. Vinson advocated for a decrease in the city’s “ad valorem property tax.” Ibid.
Vinson advocated “unions for city employees but only with a no-strike clause. Needless to say, how effective would a union be without the ability to strike fair in negotiating favorable terms for its clients?
Nevertheless, all Black candidates for a city council post held the same position.
Vinson supports downtown rejuvenation, improved recreation, expanded street paving, and better training for police officers.” (The Macon Telegraph, Sunday, September 7, 1975, P. 9).
Vinson received opposition from Black citizens Bill McCorkle and Ennis Murray for the Post 2 seat on the council. “McCorkle, 37, Food and Beverage manager at the Moose Lodge, favored a limited consolidated government, but only by referendum… he would work for a better bus system and the establishment of Mercer University Medical School.” Ibid.
Murray, a 50-year-old civic and labor activist, owned a concrete flooring company. He entered the race for City Council to pave more dirt streets. He advocated “unionization for city employees with a mediations board and a no-strike agreement.” Ibid
Imagine a labor activist conceding a no-strike provision in exchange for the right of city workers to unionize. Murray thought he could cutely skate around the union issue by seeking a mediation provision with a no-strike clause.
On March 31, 1975, Vernon Colbert released to the conservative rag The Macon News a media advisory announcing his run for City Council, Ward IV Post 2. The first paragraph noted that Colbert was the first black person in the history of the city named by Macon City Council to serve on its Civil Service Board.
Colbert graduated from Johnson C. Smith College (University) in Charlotte, North Carolina. He served as President of the Bibb County Training Center for Developmentally Handicapped and a Superintendent of the Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church...
“Colbert, a Democrat and former foreman of carriers for the Macon Post Office, said he felt confident he could be elected at large.” (The Macon News, Monday, March 31, 1975, p. 11).
Despite Colbert’s public oratory, he did not offer for the city-wide post, which would have placed his candidacy before the majority of White voters in the city. Therefore, if Colbert could win city-wide, why take away a seat from a Black candidate who did not have excellent name recognition in the White community?
“I will work for better community race relations, more adequate recreation facilities, additional paved streets, and to upgrade salaries and positions so that city employees receive the same pay comparable to those in other cities the size of Macon.” Ibid.
Colbert drew Ward IV Post 2 opposition from James C. Postell, a Black intellectual who graduated from Fort Valley State College (University) and worked at the Mattie Hubbard Jones playground as a supervisor. Postell, a member of the Tremont Temple Baptist Church, worked below his intellectual capabilities, probably due to the color of his skin.
Postell was ahead of his time. He advocated for night court, free bus passes for older adults, and reduced bus fares for people with disabilities. Postell urged the expansion of the Macon Coliseum to bring in more conventions. Ibid.
In the Ward III Post 3 contest, 48-year-old Mattie B. Manson, an Associate Professor of Business Education at Fort Valley State College (Fort Valley State University), qualified for public service. Before her tenure at Fort Valley State, Manson taught math at Ballard-Hudson Junior High School.
Manson worshipped at the Saint Peter Claver Catholic Church. She was one of three women out of a field of 32 Democratic Party candidates to offer for council. She told The Macon Telegraph Political Editor Christopher Bonner “that women could make a ‘special contribution’ to government.” Ibid.
Manson advocated for “stiff substantial housing code enforcement, more street paving and upgrading of the business system.” Ibid. Manson was the only Black candidate for the city council in 1975 to call for hitting slum lords in their pocketbooks.
Rev. Eddie D. Smith, Sr. opposed Manson for the Ward III Post 3 seat. Smith, a 39-year-old Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church pastor, grew up in Tybee and graduated from Ballard-Hudson Senior High School and Fort Valley State College (University). He received the call to pastor Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in 1972.
Three years later, Rev. Smith moved the Macedonia worship facility from Hazel Street to a new facility on Anthony Road and tossed his hat into the political realm. He was a political newcomer with a growing and dynamic ministry.
Young, upwardly mobile Blacks began to flock to Macedonia Baptist Church under the visionary community outreach programs Rev. Smith introduced to Macedonia.
Rev. Smith built a state-of-the-art church on the Anthony Road property his church purchased across the street from the Maude C. Pye Elementary School. The new church sanctuary attracted many young Black professionals who moved into the community of Macon, Georgia.
Macedonia Baptist Church was the place to worship. As Smith’s congregation grew, Smith’s outreach to Macon’s Black community expanded, making Rev. Smith a recognizable leader in the Black church community. Rev. Smith used his growing reputation to expand his ministry into the world of politics, where he hoped to serve the community's common good.
Rev. Eddie D. Smith, Sr. Smith pledged to urge “the industry to move downtown to bring life to the central city. He said he supported an active street paving and recreation expansion program and an improved bus system.” Ibid.
Willie Cephus Hill. In Ward IV Post 3, 47-year-old school teacher Willie C. Hill drew two White opponents, Paul E. Brown and W. C. “Bill” Massey. Hill was born in Roberta, Georgia. Hill received his formal education at the Holsey-Cobb Institute and Fort Valley State College (University). Hill’s platform called for paving over 90 miles of dirt streets and charging homeowners the paving expense. Ibid.
In a non-race-based election, Hill’s position on paved streets provided the number one reason to reject his campaign. Hill lived in the prestigious Vinning Circle neighborhood and was a neighbor of city council candidate Vernon Colbert. Hill served on the Trustee Board of the Bethel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
On July 26, 1975, Civil Rights activist and President of the Concerned Citizens League, Hebert Dennard, announced he would seek a council post. A member of New Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and a member of the Railway Carmen of the U. S. and Canada, Denard favored “industrial expansion, a street paving program, and bringing more Black people into city government jobs. Dennard, a long-time resident of East Macon, did not think the forty percent Black population in the East Macon Ward could not elect a Black candidate. Therefore, Denard secured housing in the Vinning Circle neighborhood...
Despite Colbert’s public oratory, he did not offer for the city-wide post, which would have placed his candidacy before the majority of White voters in the city. Therefore, if Colbert could win city-wide, why take away a seat from a Black candidate who did not have excellent name recognition in the White community?
“I will work for better community race relations, more adequate recreation facilities, additional paved streets, and to upgrade salaries and positions so that city employees receive the same pay comparable to those in other cities the size of Macon.” Ibid.
Colbert drew Ward IV Post 2 opposition from James C. Postell, a Black intellectual who graduated from Fort Valley State College (University) and worked at the Mattie Hubbard Jones playground as a supervisor. Postell, a member of the Tremont Temple Baptist Church, worked below his intellectual capabilities, probably due to the color of his skin.
Postell was ahead of his time. He advocated for night court, free bus passes for older adults, and reduced bus fares for people with disabilities. Postell urged the expansion of the Macon Coliseum to bring in more conventions. Ibid.
In the Ward III Post 3 contest, 48-year-old Mattie B. Manson, an Associate Professor of Business Education at Fort Valley State College (Fort Valley State University), qualified for public service. Before her tenure at Fort Valley State, Manson taught math at Ballard-Hudson Junior High School.
Manson worshipped at the Saint Peter Claver Catholic Church. She was one of three women out of a field of 32 Democratic Party candidates to offer for council. She told The Macon Telegraph Political Editor Christopher Bonner “that women could make a ‘special contribution’ to government.” Ibid.
Manson advocated for “stiff substantial housing code enforcement, more street paving and upgrading of the business system.” Ibid. Manson was the only Black candidate for the city council in 1975 to call for hitting slum lords in their pocketbooks.
Rev. Eddie D. Smith, Sr. opposed Manson for the Ward III Post 3 seat. Smith, a 39-year-old Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church pastor, grew up in Tybee and graduated from Ballard-Hudson Senior High School and Fort Valley State College (University). He received the call to pastor Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in 1972.
Three years later, Rev. Smith moved the Macedonia worship facility from Hazel Street to a new facility on Anthony Road and tossed his hat into the political realm. He was a political newcomer with a growing and dynamic ministry.
Young, upwardly mobile Blacks began to flock to Macedonia Baptist Church under the visionary community outreach programs Rev. Smith introduced to Macedonia.
Rev. Smith built a state-of-the-art church on the Anthony Road property his church purchased across the street from the Maude C. Pye Elementary School. The new church sanctuary attracted many young Black professionals who moved into the community of Macon, Georgia.
Macedonia Baptist Church was the place to worship. As Smith’s congregation grew, Smith’s outreach to Macon’s Black community expanded, making Rev. Smith a recognizable leader in the Black church community. Rev. Smith used his growing reputation to expand his ministry into the world of politics, where he hoped to serve the community's common good.
Rev. Eddie D. Smith, Sr. Smith pledged to urge “the industry to move downtown to bring life to the central city. He said he supported an active street paving and recreation expansion program and an improved bus system.” Ibid.
Willie Cephus Hill. In Ward IV Post 3, 47-year-old school teacher Willie C. Hill drew two White opponents, Paul E. Brown and W. C. “Bill” Massey. Hill was born in Roberta, Georgia. Hill received his formal education at the Holsey-Cobb Institute and Fort Valley State College (University). Hill’s platform called for paving over 90 miles of dirt streets and charging homeowners the paving expense. Ibid.
In a non-race-based election, Hill’s position on paved streets provided the number one reason to reject his campaign. Hill lived in the prestigious Vinning Circle neighborhood and was a neighbor of city council candidate Vernon Colbert. Hill served on the Trustee Board of the Bethel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
On July 26, 1975, Civil Rights activist and President of the Concerned Citizens League, Hebert Dennard, announced he would seek a council post. A member of New Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and a member of the Railway Carmen of the U. S. and Canada, Denard favored “industrial expansion, a street paving program, and bringing more Black people into city government jobs. Dennard, a long-time resident of East Macon, did not think the forty percent Black population in the East Macon Ward could not elect a Black candidate. Therefore, Denard secured housing in the Vinning Circle neighborhood...
~~~
.webp)
Continuing Serialization of
Fantasy Five, Chapter 2
Jack Pot!
Note: Under the first video above I've provided a sample of the beautifully created book as presented. It is easy on the eyes and presents a truly professional look to this powerful story... Also included are pictures of many of the candidates running during that campaign.
As you can see from the above excerpt, the author has conducted much research to document the events provided throughout this entire book. This Chapter is, essentially, a review of the candidates for office on the Macon, Georgia's Council Members. Harvey provides both their stated credentials to hold office and his own opinions... For example, the author was disturbed that all of the candidates chose to support unionization, but without the ability to strike. I had to agree that a union without bargaining tools is just money out of employees pockets...
Harvey begins by talking about the previous 152 years where there was a distinct difference in parts of Macon where white people lived versus where blacks had been separately living. There were mostly unpaved roads. "Those muddy dirt streets when it rained and dusty streets when it did not rain were the most glaring example of the disparity between White Macon and Black Macon. This writer stomped in the mud on his way to school and swallowed the dust while playing football on the dirt streets. When people live in less-than-desirable conditions, those subpar conditions appear normal." But, he was to find out when he later invited his girlfriend home from his time at Tuskegee University and she commented that where she lived did not have unpaved roads and mud... He knew he would be working to change that in Macon!
Yes, Harvey attended Tuskegee! And, obviously my mind turned to the present! While we watch the racist actions of the Trump Administration's wishes to go backwards, has resulted in attempts to remove all DEI federal employees and support to schools... Please check out an article, Entitled, "Trump wants to undo diversity programs. Some agencies react by scrubbing US history and culture", which specifically covers what is happening re Tuskegee! (I've read of these brave men who came out of this school - search Tuskegee in the right column for entire story published by Branden Books years ago!)
Ladies and Gentlemen, American History is OUR History and cannot be denied, no matter if a group of white men try, or erase our Black brothers and neighbors! No American can allow this to happen! Frankly, I can't help but believe that Trump's being whipped by Kamala Harris has resulted in all the racism of this man, which led back to when his father refused to allow Blacks to live in his properties... We all know that Kamala embarrassed Trump in a major debate! Retribution, thy name is Donald Trump...a convicted felon who, somehow, was elected again and is spreading his madness activities across the nation and out into the world!
This chapter provides all details related to just how 5 individuals, who happened to be Black, were elected for the first time in modern life, to serve on a town's governmental council! I do recommend you make an effort to add this book to your American/Black History Library. It is an important addition, especially given what today's administration is attempting! May the law prevent all of it!
One of the more significant, but sad, points on which they ran was that they paid the exact same amount to the city in taxes as did the white people! Why then, did none of that money ever get to Black Macon?! And, frankly, why then, are there still Black people who cannot afford to buy groceries, have a home, a good job, even now in 2025 world? And even worse, under today's government! How can it be that Georgia and other southern states continue to face election issues? How can we afford to continue to deal with the loss of Our History!
One of the more significant, but sad, points on which they ran was that they paid the exact same amount to the city in taxes as did the white people! Why then, did none of that money ever get to Black Macon?! And, frankly, why then, are there still Black people who cannot afford to buy groceries, have a home, a good job, even now in 2025 world? And even worse, under today's government! How can it be that Georgia and other southern states continue to face election issues? How can we afford to continue to deal with the loss of Our History!
But Harvey retains the last words for this chapter for himself speaking to all of us:
One wonders why every preceding White generation in Macon, out of fear, blocked Black participation in the affairs of city government. Every Black candidate who ran for city council that year took the position they favored, a limited form of consolidation with Bibb County. Their support of a form of limited consolidation was a safe, conservative position because a majority of Black citizens were opposed to consolidation. At the same time, White leaders wanted to consolidate the two governments. Blacks who were unalterably opposed to consolidation were considered radical by the White power structure.
Also, each Black candidate favored the unionization of city employees but without the right to strike. Their lukewarm support of unionization was worthless because, without the right to strike, the union would not have a bargaining chip to demand that the city negotiate with them in good faith.
Nevertheless, Macon’s Fantasy Five was faced with skepticism and mistrust that somehow the government would fall apart without exclusive White leadership.
But there is still more to come! The author moves on into the actual activities of the Council in the next chapter... Watch for it Soon! Get your copy now, it is highly recommended for many reasons, including the attempt to move backward to where DEI individuals were not part of our government!!! Fight this Madness!
~~~
Some of you may already know that I am a white woman... I want to clarify that because of what I now want to say. In the 1970s, I had just been promoted into the Provost's Office (second under the president) as his personal secretary. I had been on campus since 1963 and was used to walking around campus seeing students of all races. I had already become best friends with Marian David, a Black girl, both of us in the 7th grade. But, I believe that we are all God's creations, made in His image.
That to me means it has nothing to do with skin color, nationality, or whatever other difference there is among humans, we are all God's children. A close relative of mine recently turned to me and asked, "Do you think I am racist?" My response was "I don't know..." She sputtered and said, "What about so-and-so." That didn't mean much to me, that woman operated a kitchen for the poor, which our church helped. But the question was raised because of my response to something we were discussing...I can't remember what, but probably politics because she had also claimed that "If I were a Christian," then I had to vote republican..."
Well, I had already heard Trump's opening video to the world talking about grabbing women. And I wanted nothing to do with a party who were supporting him. And what they are doing, especially now, to my black brothers and sisters is JUST WRONG! And I believe there will be God's judgment for all that became cult members to a convicted felon, rapist...and more that he'd been charged with... but delayed and delayed until he bargained money to win and regain the presidency.
My entire life in school and on the job was in multi-racial environments. I see color of skin, but I see the people for what they are. I met Harold Michael Harvey online well over a decade ago and I've read quite a number of his books. As soon as I returned to LinkedIn, I saw his name and announcement of his latest book. I knew I wanted to read it! Michael worked with my limitations on reading books now and gave me a Word copy of the manuscript.
While recognizing that this was a video that was created, I wanted to go ahead and use it to recreate my thoughts on the early life of Michael. I have found that the videos witch come to mind regarding the police shootings and court cases where black men were killed but white police officers are freed are often not available for sharing outside of YouTube. We know that Black men in particular have been targeted, for power or racist reasons, and must be stopped... Learning more about Black History is a major way of working to ensure we do not go backward in the legal courts that have often allowed prejudice to override actual law... Refuse to Make America Great Again where White Supremacy thrived!
~~~
Michael has been in law throughout his career and was named "Living Now Bronze Medal Winner for his Memoir, Freaknik Lawyer..." Search on the author's name in my right column and find this, and, all of his books I've read...so far...
GABixlerReviews
* This is my first time doing a Serialized Book Review... Any thoughts, comments, concerns feedback appreciated!
No comments:
Post a Comment