Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Two pillars of the civil rights movement have joined fellow Comrades in heaven. Charlie White, the last founding "Deacon for Defense" member died on Feb. 4, 2021 in Northeast Louisiana Hospital. His contributions ranked like those of former Representative John Lewis; he just didn't get the publicity.

Photo Charles White

Bertha Bradford-Robinson, retired director of federal programs of Jackson Parish died Feb 6, 2021 in Glenwood Medical Hospital, West Monroe. They were both beloved residents of Jonesboro LA.To quote from the book" Deacons for Defense" by Lance Hill, in 1964 a small group of African American men in Jonesboro LA. Defied the nonviolence policy of the mainstream civil rights movement and formed an armed self-defense organization to protect movement workers from the vigilante and police violence and played a crucial role in compelling the federal government to neutralize the Ku Klux Klan and uphold Civil rights & Liberties. Charlie worked at Continental Can Co. in Hodge (2 miles from Jonesboro). He was the first black to work in the "time office" monitoring time and printing checks along with other computer duties. Because his job required professional dress, Charlie often didn't have time to change before going to the deacon's meetings. Fellow deacons dressed in fighting gear like Kirkpatrick, Thomas, Amos, Satcher, and others jokingly gave him the name pretty boy which always provided laughter when he entered the room. But make no mistake about it, though his business acumen at work was stellar and dictated that he be clean cut, his acumen in the fight for human rights far excelled comparison. It's hard for me to remember which deacons were dispatched to which locations for our protection as there were many; but whether we were doing counter sit-ins or attempting to integrate the library downtown where police had vicious dogs barking less than an inch from our legs, the deacons always showed up in the nick-of -time threatening the perpetrators with violence if they harmed us. Of course, they still arrested us that day for disturbing the peace of a DEAD white man lying in the funeral home across the street. Charlie lived across the school campus from my family and Deacon Percy Lee Bradford lived catacorner which made us always feel protected. So, when we heard that the Klan were coming through our neighborhood one night, they were the first ones visible to us as the Deacons positioned themselves on the top of houses in trees and at roadblocks. Many thought that with the passing of the civil rights act we would feel safer but sadly Charlie considered to get death threats to the end of his life simply because he dared defend himself, his family, and others from vigilante spirits. Imagine what it must've been like for him to live that way. Bertha Bradford-Robinson was a formidable force. She may not have marched in the streets, but she certainly had a marching spirit for justice and did her part to keep people from falling on hard times finding comfort from lying in them. Bertha drummed into everybody's head that education should be the first weapon of choice for all human beings. In 1964, she and James Potts were chosen by C.O.R.E. to integrate Louisiana Tech while Caucasian brother Charlie Fenton integrated Grambling College. Fenton was the one brutally beaten within an inch of his life by cellmates in the Monroe Louisiana jail because of his participation in the civil rights movement. They all encountered many incidents by vigilantes that threaten their lives! But they persevered undaunted. In fact, Bertha was the speaker for Louisiana Tech Commencement Weekend, November 20 & 21, 2021. During her 44 years as an educator which included two principalships, Bertha had an open-door policy and hands on with every facet of the schools. She dealt with each student as though each was her own child. She taught, counseled, discipline, fed, and even bought clothes for those in dire situations. Bertha had one of those magnetic irresistible charms that could massage a calcified heart because she wore compassion on her sleeves while love emanated from her very pores. She had a way of making you feel that it was your duty to help anyone or situation in need and could turn your no into yes. Case in point: I was home from NYC for a short stay. It was at this time that Bertha needed a certified high school English teacher. During one of my vulnerable moments that she had fostered I wanted to say no but I said ok. I resigned soon thereafter, because I didn't possess her clever skills of handling students in need of discipline. Bertha's light was so bright that it cast laser beams on many ills of society that needed to be addressed on local, state, and national levels. In closing I echo the refrain of many. Sometimes we take for granted the warriors who fight for justice especially if we grew up with them or knew them well. Look around they live among us. Show appreciation and respect. There are so many ways by which it can be demonstrated. These two front line ordinary people performed extraordinary feats for the advancement for humanity. Quite simply that means for you and me. Please keep their families lifted in prayer.