Chattanooga News Chronicle - March 4, 2021 Page 8 Chattanooga News Chronicle - March 4, 2021 NATIONAL Pulaski, Gallatin Vernon Jordan, Civil Rights Leader and Close Branches Examine Ally of Bill Clinton, Dies at 85

Insurrection, Reflect politics, though he was closest with Democrats, including presidents from Lyndon Johnson to on MLK’s Ways Barack Obama. He also worked with Republican Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. In a statement provided to CNN on Tuesday by Clinton’s office, the 42nd President - remem bered his late friend as someone who “brought his big brain and strong heart to everything and everybody he touched” and “who made them bet- ter.” “He was never too busy to give good ad- vice and encouragement to young people. And he never gave up on his friends or his country,” Washington—Vernon Jordan, a civil rights Clinton said. “He was a wonderful friend to Hill- leader and close adviser to former President Bill ary, Chelsea, and me, in good times and bad. We Martin Luther King, Jr. Clinton, died Monday evening. He was 85. worked and played, laughed and cried, won and A cause of death was not immediately re- lost together. We loved him very much and al- leased. ways will.” By Clint Confehr Jordan died peacefully at his home surrounded Born on August 15, 1935, Jordan grew up by his wife and family, Jordan’s niece Ann Walker in the segregated South and graduated from De- A U.S. Senate panel has started its post- confirmed. Pauw University in Indiana in 1957, the only mortem on the pro-Trump insurrection Jan. 6. According to Walker, Jordan had his favorite Black student in his class. He then studied law at However, on Jan. 18, NAACP Branch leaders in dinner and dessert — chocolate chip ice cream — Howard University and began his career fighting Pulaski and Gallatin cited cause and cure for the before he went to bed. segregation, starting with a lawsuit against Uni- insurgents’ behavior. “It was just the way he would have wanted it,” versity of Georgia’s integration policy in 1961 “We cannot remain silent about the seizure Walker told CNN. on the behalf of two Black students, Hamilton and attack on our capitol, or the dynamics that The former president of the National Urban motivated it,” the Rev. Derrick Jackson, First League rose to prominence as a civil rights activist Baptist Church, Gallatin, told his audience by with close connections in all corners of American continued on page 12 way of car radio reception after a Unity Day Car Procession. Nor should there be silence “about the push- back against or the tribula- tion of politics and its negative consequences The G.O.P. Prizes Black Republicans — As Long for all Americans,” Jackson said, noting some 400,000 souls were lost to COVID-19 in the as They Don’t Alienate White Members United States by Jan. 18. Another 100,000 died within a month. reported that white Republicans were eager to Practicing social distancing, branches in have Black representation in the G.O.P., but this Gallatin and Pulaski celebrated the Rev. Dr. eagerness came with a concern that Black racial Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday differently identity would take precedence over partisan- while addressing national distress. ship. As a consequence, they felt they had to “In the light of the capitol riot,” Pulaski constantly prove their conservative bona fides, change-maker Keidron Turner said by Internet especially with respect to policies perceived as connection, “it has become evident that [E plu- especially benefiting Black people. ribus unum, or out of many, one] — what de- Accordingly, the way that Black Republi- scribes many backgrounds, ideologies, religions cans talked about race was critical in establish- and cultures forming one nation — has simply ing their legitimacy with other Republicans. turned into a phrase that describes one nation Invoking racism or discrimination as an expla- divided into many broken pieces.” nation for racial inequality, they told me, was Born in Pulaski, Turner is studying political verboten because that was inconsistent with science and public law at Belmont University. party rhetoric. Across the nation, I heard that He spoke Jan. 18 during Pulaski’s 22nd annual white skepticism within the G.O.P. not only observance of MLK Day led by Branch Presi- shaped how Black Republicans got to talk about dent Joseph Sutton. their own racial identity but also structured how they framed conservative policies in relation to Sutton encouraged the virtual audience to As the entire nation grapples with issues Black people. learn from the program, including Elkton School relating to race and racial inequality, all kinds That is, framing conservative policy as student TJ Cross who read Proverbs 21:2-4. of organizations—from churches to businesses good because it benefited Black people was “People may be right in their own eyes, but to neighborhood associations—are trying to likely to alienate party leaders who disdained the Lord examines their heart. The Lord is more demonstrate their commitment to racial diver- “identity politics.” For example, a race-blind pleased when we do what is right and just, than sity in a way that does not alienate white stake- framing of conservative tax policy would argue when we offer him sacrifices. Haughty eyes, a holders. The Republican Party is no exception, that lower taxes are good because they stimulate proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.” and, in fact, it has long struggled to project an the economy or because the government has no Evil can be defeated, Jackson said, inviting openness to diversity. But presenting a diverse right to take citizens’ money. In contrast, a race- his Gallatin audience to speak out against the coalition of support has particular resonance in evils of society and encouraged them to listen to the wake of the Trump administration. other people everyday. America would be stron- The public representation of Black Repub- continued on page11 ger with conversations on how to move forward. licans has certainly shifted under Mr. Trump’s Instead of raising hands and saying amen, leadership of the party. The social media per- Jackson’s audience honked car horns in a park- sonalities Diamond and Silk replaced Michael ing lot where Gallatin’s Unity Day Car Proces- Steele, the Catholic former chair of the Repub- InFisk Chattanooga,, Jubilee Singers sion ended. lican National Committee. Former Milwau- Jackson asked them: “Are we willing to de- kee County Sheriff David Clarke was more director of The Fisk Jubilee Singers®. “Their velop partnerships across political, social, eco- relevant than General Colin Powell. Candace sacrifices left a rich legacy and cultural values nomic, educational and racial lines that address Owens supplanted Condoleezza Rice. Internet for us and today, we stand on their shoulders racism in all its nefarious factions? Are we will- celebrities have taken the place of the legisla- as we celebrate the future of the Fisk Jubilee ing to take a multifaceted approach to racial in- tors, military leaders and judges who used to Singers® and the Negro spirituals.” justice that values education, entrepreneurship, stand as the “face” of Black Republicans. Today, the ensemble continues to perform strong family units, healthy self worth, civic en- This shift reflects many of the themes globally and is comprised of Fisk University gagement and economic empowerment as im- I found in my research for a book about the students who are selected annually through an portant components of the journey toward racial experience of being Black in the Republican audition process. The Fisk Jubilee Singers® justice?” Party. Through interviews with Black Re- have received numerous awards, including a The program from Pulaski program ended publican activists, it became clear to me that 2021 GRAMMY® nomination for Best Roots with closing remarks by First Vice President most people understand these activists based Gospel Album for their recently released al- Benita Cross who quoted Dr. King: “Darkness on their relationships to other Black people. bum, Celebrating Fisk! (The 150th Anniver- cannot drive out darkness: only light can do Those sympathetic to Black Republicans like sary Album). The ensemble has been inducted that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can how they reject the “group think” or “identity into the Music City Walk of Fame and the do that. Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. politics” that motivate other Black voters. But GRAMMY® Hall of Fame. In 2008, the Fisk Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred detractors call Black Republicans “sellouts” Jubilee Singers® were also awarded the Na- darkens life; love illuminates it. I have decided who have abandoned any commitment to other tional Medal of Arts, the nation’s highest artis- to stick to love…Hate is too great a burden to Blacks. tic honor by President George W. Bush. bear.” Neither proposition accurately captures In honor of the 150th anniversary, a fund The program may be viewed at https:// Black Republicans’ relationship to blackness. has been established at Fisk University. Dona- www.facebook.com/MLKGilesNAACP or on More important, this framework distracts from tions can be made by visiting https://connect. YouTube. the way that relations with white Republicans fisk.edu/fisk-jubilee-singers-150th or be sent fundamentally shape the political experience to the Office of Advancement Services at Fisk of Black Republicans. As we think about how University (1000 17th Avenue, North – Nash- organizations are incorporating diverse popu- ville, TN 37208). lations, the experience of Black Republicans For more information on The Fisk Jubi- can be instructive. lee Singers® or the 150th anniversary events, The Black Republicans in my study often please contact Dr. Paul Kwami at pkwami@ complained that concerns about their racial fisk.edu or 615-329-8744. identity resulted in a skeptical embrace from their white Republican counterparts. They