Scottsboro Boys Museum Is Saved! Celebration This Afternoon

I'm happy to hear this worked out for the best (4.00 / 1)

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by: melmel @ Thu Apr 15, 2010 at 17:30:51 PM UTC

Very joyous news! (4.00 / 1)

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by: Gayla @ Thu Apr 15, 2010 at 18:10:53 PM UTC

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Born and bred there and I don't know (4.00 / 1)

Mike (historian friend) and I went to the celebration 03/31/10.  There were hugs all around from folk I haven't seen in decades. Folk there know me as Jr. I never liked the name.Two people spoke, Susan D. Pennybacker* from Chattanooga, TN, and James Miller+, a professor at George Washington University. Both have books about Scottsboro.

Their speeches were short, to the point of the significance of the case legally, morally, and culturally, and the international ramifications.

My first time in Scottsboro in about two decades, even though for about one I have lived forty miles away.  My father was principal of George Washington Carver High School back in the day. My mother taught there. My paternal grandmother was principal of the Rosenwald Elementary School in Hollywood, AL.

I fled from Alabama mid sixties, ended in the Village where I still have a place. 

I contest the opinion of professor Miller, that the Scottsboro Case was the beginning ot the civil rights movement. The middle passage was the beginning.

When I joined the community of poets around St. Mark's Poetry Project, I met Armand Schwerner, poet, whose cousin was killed because of involvement in civil rights.

I don't want Scottsboro to be known just for the case.

*From Scottsboro to Munich: Race and Political Culture in 1930s Britain

+ Remembering Scottsboro: The Legacy of an Infamous Trial

 

Qui bibit, dormit; qui dormit, non peccat; qui non peccat, sanctus est; ergo qui bibit sanctus est.

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by: SaintSatinStain @ Sat Apr 17, 2010 at 11:49:33 AM UTC

We had planned to go March 31 (0.00 / 0)

but I was trying to get the tax info ready for the accountant and got way behind, so we had to miss it.

Next time you're coming through this part of the state, let us know!

There are no "safe" Republican districts. You can run but you can't hide.  - Rahm Emmanuel

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by: countrycat @ Sat Apr 17, 2010 at 13:38:57 PM UTC

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I don't want Scottsboro to be known just for the case. (0.00 / 0)

Scottsboro is known for this case, it is a reality. The facts are undeniable.

 The Scottsboro Boys Case has resulted in a very negative stereotype of Scottsboro. One of the purposes of the museum is to change the negative stereotype of Scottsboro, Alabama through a truthful examination of the historical event as well as challenge current aspects of racism, discrimination and deep seated guilt and racial prejudice.

 It is important that the sacrifices of both black and white be told concerning this case. Many forget the sacrifices that Judge James Horton and Judge Samuel Liebowitz made in this case. The sacrifice's of Ms. Ada Wright who had two sons who were part of the Scottsboro Boys Case. 

The case had world wide implications in the 1930's, the height of the great depression, as a result of the case 2 monumental decisions of jurisprudence were issued which gives all defendants the right to adequate-professional council and a trial by a jury of their peers which must include persons of color if a person of color is to be tried.

There are many other beautiful and important aspects of Scottsboro, specifically the people of Scottsboro and God's gift to all of us, the beautiful Tennessee River Valley and the mountains. This museum is to serve two purpose, 1) tell the truth of our history concerning the Scottsboro Boys Case in order that we do not repeat its mistakes. 2) Reverse the negative image of Scottsboro as it relates to the Scottsboro Boys Case through historical education and exposure of the negative aspects of our Jim Crow history.

Denying the truth and a failure to reflect on historical fact does nothing to reverse the past mistakes of history. Recognition of the historical facts and the challenge of institutional and personal discrimination must occur before the healing and correction of racial discrimination may occur. "The truth shall set you free."

Garry Morgan, Historian, Scottsboro Boys Museum and Cultural Center

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by: arklite @ Sat Apr 17, 2010 at 16:02:00 PM UTC

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