MY CHAMPIONS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS

MY CHAMPIONS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS

So many of our heroes have gone on to glory.  Growing up, countless numbers of African-American women and men fought the good fight to ensure the rights of Black people throughout the diaspora.  From Dr. Martin Luther King, Sr., Martin Luther King, Jr. and the King family to Jesse Jackson, I had the privilege of watching and learning from the many soldiers of the Civil Rights Movement [Movement].

I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, so being brave enough to speak up and step up to fight the continued fight against the oppression of Black people was as normal as having a glass of iced cold sweet tea on a 90-degree day.

In the South, we were taught to be courageous.

Almost all of my family and close friends either knew someone directly involved in the Movement or they were involved themselves.  My mother taught at a predominantly Black high school for years where she was known to be a champion of the students.  Later, she served on the board of directors of the Atlanta NAACP.  My father was a fairly well-known businessman, which often placed him in the position to be a champion of Blacks in the business arena. 

My Mother: Mrs. Baby Ruth Brantley

My Father: Mr. Terry Brantley, Jr.

I had been influenced at an early age and encouraged to get involved in the Movement, so I was groomed by my parents, their friends and later my chosen mentors.  My greatest two mentors are now deceased, but I will be forever grateful for their training and direction. 

My greatest two mentors were as follows: 

Jondelle Johnson 

Director of the Atlanta NAACP and later
Director of the National NAACP

and the 

Reverend Dr. James Orange.

Pastor and Activist in the Civil Rights Movement then later
Activist and Youth Coordinator at the M.L. King, Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change

They were my guides and stewards through the transitional period of African-American life in Atlanta, Georgia in the 1980s.  No two heroes were better equipped to lead me through the minefield of the post-1960s South.

Strangely though, I did have one other hero who is still living today.  I have never met him nor have I ever spoken to him.  In fact, it has been a one-sided mentorship.  He doesn’t even know I exist.

His name is the Reverend Al Sharpton [Rev Al].

To know of his life, you can easily research his background through the internet or any conventional means.  I cannot offer you any such information.  This blog is dedicated to him for all that he has represented for me, not just because of his numerous accomplishments.  I dedicate this blog to him because he has been a true inspiration to me. 

I respect Rev Al.  I admire Rev Al.  I could not imagine African-American life in America without Rev. Al.

I wanted to give him the written acknowledgement he deserves.  I want him to know that I am thankful to him for speaking out when I was unable to speak out.  I want to thank him for marching when I was unable to march.  I want to thank him for recognizing racism when I was unable to see it.  And I want to thank him for dedicating his life to fighting against the injustices of man, especially those injustices perpetrated against African-Americans.

Thank you Reverend Al Sharpton.  Happy Black History Month.

*Vanessa Brantley  Style395.blogspot.com, February 8, 2018, “My Champions of African-American Rights,” Volume 12, Blog 1b [vol. 12, 1a-1c].