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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 11, 2012)
H onoring D r . M artin L utHer K ing , J r . BOOKS: The Confrontation between Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth and Eugene “Bull” Connor, as Told to Larry Dane Brimner review by Helen Silvis B lack and White is a visually stunning book that will appeal to teens and adults alike. From its first sentence— “The first time the Ku Klax Klan tried to kill Reverend Fred L. Shuttleworth was Christmas 1956,” – this book will have you hooked. Published Jan. 3, Black and White tells of the epic battle for civil rights in the South through two key figures in Birmingham, Alabama. Rev. Fred Shuttleworth is its hero. Bold, courageous, and an inspirational leader, he was determined to stop at nothing until Black Americans achieved civil rights. His mortal foe in that strug- gle was a different kind of man altogether. Theophilus Eugene ‘Bull’ Durham was the city commissioner in charge of police and fire departments in Birmingham. Durham was a radio sportscaster turned politician, backed by the KKK because of his support for segregation. Designed for young people aged 12 and above, the book does not shy away from the extreme brutality of the attacks against Blacks who refused to accept discriminatory treat- ment. The KKK bombed homes, castrated men, beat and burned Blacks and their White supporters alive. Then, amazingly, these same peo- ple would go to church on Sunday. FBI reports quoted in the book show that Durham actively supported the KKK and was implicated in vio- lence against Shuttleworth and others, including the Freedom Riders. “Connor said he wanted the Feedom Riders beaten until it looked like they had been attacked by bulldogs.” Brimner told his publish- ers he chose these two men because of their crucial roles in the movement. “It was a case of David versus Goliath, Good versus Evil,” Brimner said in an inter- view. “Little to nothing had been written about either man for young readers, yet they were critical players in the civil rights movement.” Dr. Martin Luther King was unsure about the ethics of bringing children into the struggle, because of the risks that entailed. Many Black leaders at the time were absolutely opposed to the idea. But many young people wanted to take part, and Shuttleworth and Rev. James Bevel agreed. They organized a children’s march for May 2, 1963. Under Durham, when children began to gather in Kelly Ingram Park the police responded with dogs and water hoses. More than 1000 children were arrested and jailed. Across the United States, people were disgusted by pho- tographs of police and fireman assaulting children. And the next year saw the passage of the Civil Rights Act. Black and White showcases the part played by young people in that historic victory. We honor the incredible strength and sacri- fice of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and other major figures in the struggle, such as Rev. Ralph Abernathy and Rev. Shuttleworth. But this book reminds us we should never underestimate the courage and commitment of the ordinary people who fought for civil rights, often at great cost to themselves. Calkins Creek. $16.95. Age 12 and up We honor the many accomplishments of African Americans. It is our primary goal as a labor union to better the lives of all people working in the building trades through advocacy, civil demonstration, and the long-held belief that workers deserve a "family wage" - fair pay for an honest day's work. A family wage, and the benefits that go with it, not only strengthens families, but also allows our communities to become stronger, more cohesive, and more responsive to their citizens' needs. Our family wage agenda reflects our commitment to people working in the building trades, and to workers every- where. In this small way, we are doing our part to help people achieve the American Dream. This dream that work- ers can hold dear regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, creed, or religious beliefs. The Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters Representingmorethan 5.000constructionwork- ersinOregonState. Do you want to know more about becoming a Union carpenter? January 11, 2012 The Portland Skanner Page 13
