Naked Racism,’ Kwanzaa: Port N.C

www.mississippilink.com Vol. 19, No. 11 JaNuary 3 - 9, 2013 50¢ Citing ‘naked racism,’ Kwanzaa: Port N.C. Governor Bev Perdue Gibson celebrates pardons Wilmington Ten in grand style by Cash Michaels Special to the NNPA RALEIGH, N.C. - In what civil rights leaders across the nation are calling a significant moment in the civil rights movement, North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue has granted individual pardons of ac- tual innocence to all members of the Wilmington Ten. “I have decided to grant these pardons because the more facts I have learned about the Wilm- ington Ten, the more appalled I have become about the manner in which their convictions were obtained,” Perdue said in her Dec. 31 statement. A Democrat, Perdue will leave office Jan. 5. “Justice demands that this stain finally be removed. The process in which this case was tried was fundamentally flawed. Therefore, North Carolina Gov. beverly Perdue signing Wilmington Ten pardons as governor, I am issuing these pardons of innocence to right this At the Port Gibson Kwanzaa celebration were (L-R) Dr. Demitri Mar- longstanding wrong.” shall, Jackson City Councilman Chokwe Lumumba, Norrell and Dr. The Wilmington Ten - nine Anderson and daughter. PHOTO by J. K. DOMATOb black males and one white fe- male - were activists who, along by Dr. Jerry Komia Domatob NIA which means purpose. Our with hundreds of black students in Contributing Writer collective purpose must be total the New Hanover County Public liberation of our people and the School System, protested rampant Unlike some communities liberation of the world,” he said. racial discrimination in 1971. all over the globe that thirst in Community leader and activist In February of that year, after vain for Kwanzaa celebrations, Evan Doss expressed apprecia- the arrival of Rev. Benjamin Cha- in Mississippi it was the city of tion to Marshall for the program vis to help lead the protests, racial Port Gibson that stood out as it as well as the many contributions violence erupted, with white su- observed the event with splendid he has made to Claiborne County premacist driving through Wilm- activities. since he came to the region in ington’s black community, fatally XXXX Gracing the occasion were 1982. “We appreciate him for shooting innocent people and Continued on page 6 enthusiastic drumming, inspir- putting together this celebration committing arson. ing speeches, historical analysis, with emphasis on unity as the A white-owned grocery store deep reflection, symbolic rituals, direction the black community in the black community was fire- delicious food and pleasantry ex- should take. Councilman Chok- bombed, and firemen came under changes which attracted young, we as usual was his brilliant self. old, rich and poor Sunday, Dec. A great speaker with vast knowl- sniper fire. It wasn’t until a year The Wilmington Ten later that Rev. Chavis and the oth- 30. edge; he mapped a path that ers were rounded up and charged ings. prison, some of which they each Under the leadership of a black people should follow.” with conspiracy in connection The 10 were falsely convicted served. It wouldn’t be until 1977, Naked racism respected medical giant, Dr. Businessman Larry Pickens with the firebombing and shoot- and sentenced to 282 years in after years of failed appeals in Continued on page 6 Demitri Marshall, this Kwanzaa participated in the Kwanzaa celebration served as a major celebration exclaiming his ut- historical and cultural forum. A ter delight for this being the first highlight of the event was Mar- time he has attended one. “As a shall’s and his son’s presentation people, we should all learn about Anderson rescinds retirement of Kwanza’s history, principles Kwanzaa to know who we are and application. and to learn about our people. It Another leading physician in is something around which we the area, Dr. Anderson, came all need to come together. It is as Hinds County supervisor with her daughter and praised eye opening,” Pickens said. by Othor Cain to stop a rumored appointment it the holidays and delivered copies Kwanza as, “a real celebration of Claiborne County Supervisor Contributing writer would be best if he stayed around to all members of the Board of people of African descent in the Edwin Smith, who described the With only one day left before a little longer.” Supervisors citing his change of United States, who come togeth- event as enlightening, praised Supervisor Doug Anderson’s res- Woods said that as a family, they heart. er for the same purpose of self- Chokwe Lumumba for graphi- ignation/retirement was scheduled gathered over the holidays to make “It is certainly his prerogative identity and self determination.” cally depicting the “historical to take effect, he pulled the plug sure their dad was up for the chal- to change his mind…it’s his seat,” During the ceremony, which abuses people of African heri- on it. lenge. “My dad is a very strong- said Robert Graham, Hinds Coun- took place at Port Gibson’s Pla- tage suffered, as he referenced After 19 years in the county willed person and when he’s com- ty Board of Supervisors president. za, Marshall welcomed guests the classic film Roots and the post, and more than 36 years in mitted to something, there is no “I respect the fact he wants some- and paid tribute to the late Baba struggles that lie ahead for black public office, Anderson had said stopping him,” she said. “This is one that lives in District 2 to repre- Afrika, an educator, historian Mississippi.” through his daughter, Jackie An- something in his heart that he felt sent the residents of that district.” and activist, who launched the Other elected officials, edu- derson Woods, that he was giving he needed to do and as a family we Had Anderson’s resignation Kwanzaa celebration in Clai- cators and community leaders borne County. attending were Mary Newsom, up the post due to health concerns. support him 100 percent.” taken effect, a state statute would Anderson Anderson had suffered a stroke Anderson learned of rumors have allowed the board to reach a “The occasion celebrated the manager of Prestige Plaza; De- last December, his second one in that the Board of Supervisors had consensus on selecting an interim until a successor is elected. A suc- principle of NIA - purpose,” said Wayne and wife LaDella Thom- a six-month period. His recovery planned to appoint Gil Sturgis, replacement pending a special cessor is elected for the unexpired Marshall. “We acknowledge the as, who catered food for the from the stroke had worried his someone he said does not live in election Nov. 5, 2013. If the board term by qualified electors at the accomplishments of past and occasion; and Sera Afua Dave family. District 2. could not reach a consensus, the next regular special Election Day present community leaders, who who brought books and African But his daughter said in spite of “Once Dad found out they were seat would have remained vacant occurring more than 90 days after demonstrated purpose as they artifacts for display and to sell. all that, he feels a sense of duty to going to appoint someone who until the election. the occurrence of the vacancy. fought for justice and freedom Jerry Jenkins (Khatib Hasan), stay until closer to the November didn’t live in his district because Supervisors asked the attor- Sturgis told reporters that he for our people.” a Jackson based West African election because he owes it to his of various deals that had been cut, ney general’s office to decide the was disappointed that Anderson Jackson Councilman and drummer, provided entertain- constituents. he decided to delay it until it gets question because they disagreed decided to rescind his resignation. popular attorney, Chokwe Lu- ment along with Marshall’s “I hope people understand my closer to election time,” Woods on the interpretation of state law “I’m disappointed that Supervi- mumba, who is running for may- young boys. dad has nothing to gain from this,” said. “That way whoever wants to addressing county official vacan- sor Anderson decided to take this or of Jackson, was the keynote First celebrated in the United Woods said, citing the fact that run can be elected by the people of cies. There is some contention that course, or whoever decided to take speaker and stressed the impor- States in 1966, Kwanzaa was some of Anderson’s support staff District 2. He feels it would be un- a special election could be held in the course for him,” Sturgis said. tance of the event. Blending his- brought into being by cultural had also expressed concerns that fair to allow the board to appoint the spring. The next regularly scheduled torical analysis with contempo- they would lose their jobs if he someone who doesn’t even live in Mississippi Code states if the Hinds County Board of Supervi- rary trends, Chokwe linked the Kwanzaa left. “My dad is committed to the the district.” unexpired term is longer than six sors meeting is Monday, Jan. 7, at relevance of Kwanzaa to future Continued on page 6 people he serves and felt in order Anderson crafted a letter during months, the appointee will serve 9 a.m. struggles. “Today’s principle is Forest Hill girls Mentoring, hard In Memoriam Share this issue with a friend and Callaway work and the hook- Marsha Nell Cox by mailing it to: boys win JPS/ up Hamilton Inside Pepsi Christmas tournament Page 16 Page 7 Page 4 2 • the mississippi link January 3 - 9, 2013 www.mississippilink.com January 2013 Compiled by Ayesha K.

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