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