Why do we remember the past? Why do we care about the Past?

We remember the past because those who cannot remember the past are condemned
to repeat it. George Santayana (philosopher 1863-1952).

We care about the past because sometimes the past is never the past. The people may
have changed but the social circumstances and conditions remain the same. We care
about the past which was once the prest because it affected our lives, our neighbors,
and our community.

On July 8, 2001, at home in Pine Bluff, I interviewed my mother about some of the
 events she remembered, growing up in rural Lincoln County, Arkansas.

The Big Tornado of 1926
I remember the Big Tornado of 1926. It was Thanksgiving Day. Grand mama Bluford
had me and Sister (Margaret) in the buggy. We went to Marzell Church. No one else
showed up. Just as we made it back home, the tornado hit. Alberta Banks' sister, Lovie
Banks was killed by the storm. The next morning, we heard that Mr. Otto Hall's daddy
was killed in the storm. He went to let the window down in his home and was blown
into the lake.

The Mississippi River Flood of 1927
I remember the Great Flood of 1927. I was eleven years old. We were living on the Diggs
Place, next to the Johnson Place (maternal grandfather's farm). Everyday, we had fish to
eat. There was a slue. We caught big grinners. Daddy stayed up all night, going in and
out, watching the rising water. We didn't have to move.

Murder at Grady
When I asked Mom: What is the worst thing you remember, growing up? Do you
remember a lynching? She recounted this event:
There was no lynching but the most shocking thing that happened at Grady was when
Sister and I were going to Grady School. Mr. Joe Gocio ( white landowner and merchant)
hired  some black men to kill Mr. Queeny (a black man) but they ended up killing the
wrong man (another black man, Mr. Willie McClinton) at Mr. Queeny's house. We saw
the dead body on the porch on our way to school. He was shot. This happened in the
1930s' but before 1935.

Mr. Willie McClinton's son and grandchildren, Dollie McClinton and Tommie
McClinton lived on the Gocio Place, off from Tamo. I don't know the outcome-
what happened to the murderers. They were called Mr. Gocio's Niggers.

The story illustrates how a powerful man could recruit or intimidate less
powerful men to kill another human being. There may have been other events of
this kind that happened in Lincoln County.  Similiar stories have surfaced.

UAPB Gladys Turner Finney Coin Collection Exhibit

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Museum and Cultural Center
was established in the Spring of 2005. It is located on the campus in Childress
Hall.

The Gladys Turner Finney Coin Collection Exhibit was established at the
University in 2008. The Exhibit is on display daily during the Museum's regular
hours.

Frederick M. Finney (1941-2008) Chronological Record

• 1960     Graduated Academy High School, Troy, Alabama.
•              Enrolled  Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio.
• 1962     Enlisted United States Air Force, November, 1962.
• 1963     Assigned to basic training, Lackland AFB, Texas; Greenville AFB, Mississippi.
• 1964     Mather AFB, California; temporary assignment for school, University of Omaha,
•              Omaha, Nebraska. 
• 1965     Reassigned and discharged from Mather AFB, California.
•              Discharged from U.S. Air Force, December 31, 1965.
• 1966     Employed Reynolds & Reynolds Co, Dayton, Ohio ( factory worker litho
•              press operator), February 1966 - September, 1968.
• 1967     Graduated Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio, BA Economics
•              and History.
• 1968     Entered Antioch College Graduate School, September, 1968.

         1969     Graduated Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio, Master of Arts
                       in teaching, August, 1969.

•             Taught adult education (data processing, math, english & social science),
•              Greene County OIC, 1969.
•              Appointed Program Analyst, City of Dayton Model Cities Program,
•              November 17, 1969.
• 1970     Appointed Evaluation Director, Model Cities Program, April, 1970.
• 1972     Married Gladys T. Turner.
• 1973     Graduated Wright State University, M.S. Economics.
• 1976     Resigned Evaluation Director, Model Cities, April 2, 1976.
• 1974-79 Graduate student and teaching assistant, University of Cincinnati Ph.D.
•               Economics Program (1972-79).
• 1976-81 Private real estate business. Bought, repaired, rehabilitated, single-family
•                homes.
• 1978-83 Taught Political Science, Sinclair Community College.
• 1983       Cost Analyst, US. Air Force, Wright Patterson AFB (March)
• 1983-88  Cost Analyst reviewing & writing Economic Analyses for computers
•                and data automation projects.
• 1988-90 Cost Analyst reviewing & writing Independent Cost Estimates and Analyses
•               (Airforce parts).
• 1990      Cost Analyst Information Management Branch.
• 1990-91 Cost Analyst for proposed Weapon Systems.
• 1990      Elected Internal Auditor (one of three) AMER Temple 107, Dayton, Ohio
• 1991      Enrolled Regents College .
• 1992      Appointed Imperial Deputy- Computer Analysis, Imperial Council,
•               AEAOONMS (August, 1992).
• 1993      Graduated Regents College, University of State of New York- Degree in
•               Operations Management and Accounting. 
•                                                                                           

Essix Johnson (1890-1967) Pfc. United States Army WWI (3843878)

Born April 20, 1890 to Essix Johnson and Jessie (Benson) Johnson at Grady, Lincoln
County, Arkansas. Occupation: Farmer

Place of Entry: Grady, Arkansas: July 29, 1918
Place of Separation: Camp Shelby, Mississippi: August 21, 1919

Decorations and Awards
World War I Victory Medal
World War I Victory Button

He died August 9, 1967.




















Buried: Randolph Cemetery, Grady, Lincoln, Arkansas, August 13, 1967.

                                                  

Ebbie Bluford (1893-1968) Pfc. United States Army World War I (2125928)

Born in Tallulah, Madison Parish, Louisiana February 27, 1893 to George and Savannah
(Dozier) Bluford. Occupation: Farmer. He entered the Army in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on
February 26, 1918.

 

Assignment/Location:
He served with the 162nd Depot Brigade;Company D, 310th Labor Battalion
                                282nd Headquarters, Camp Lee, Virginia
                                Camp Pike, Arkansas, Arkansas 12th Company 3rd Training Battalion

Decorations and Awards: World War I Victory Medal with France
                                           Service Clasp
                                           World War I Victory Button (bronze)

Place of Separation: Camp Lee, Virginia, November 26, 1919.

He died in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas on August 30, 1968.
Burial: Saint Ollie Baptist Church Cemetery, September 8, 1968
             Meroney, Lincoln County, Arkansas

Rallying with President Barack Obama

Rallying with President Barack Obama is a historic event. One of approximately
9500 people, I waited nearly four hours for Vice-President Joe Biden's ten minute
introduction and President Obama's twenty minute speech.

The Dayton 2012 Rally with the President and Vice-President was an unexpected
surprise. It was President Obama first Dayton campaign visit and his first Ohio
visit with Vice-President Biden. First Lady Michelle Obama had made an earlier
visit in July at the Dayton Convention Center. Vice-President Biden had visited
Wright State University, September 12th. Ohio is considered an important swing
state to win in the upcoming Presidential Election.

It was a gorgeous autumn day, 78 degress, in beautiful Triangle Park. The mood
and atmosphere of the crowd was upbeat, exhilarating, full of positive energy of
hope and faith, and love for the President. I have seen three previous U.S. Presidents
(Carter, Clinton, George W. Bush), but to see an African-American President is
perhaps a once in a life time experience.

My red ticket allowed me to enter easily, avoid the long lines. I sat in the ADA
seating section. I observed the Paramedics attending a number of people, throughout
the wait, who were standing in a gated section directly in front of me. I was favored
with a ride and pick up at the Park's entrance by my friend, Gwen, avoiding the
long walk where the car was parked.

The day before, I spent three and a half hours helping pass out Rally tickets at the
Trotwood Obama Office, Organizing for America, 4815 Salem Avenue, the old
Rex Appliances location.

The Presient defended his presidential record with barbs and zingers about his
presidential challenger, Governor Mitt Romney.  Good News Ohio! I have
saved the Auto Industry, 1 out of 8 Ohio jobs, eliminated pre-existent conditions
for health insurance. My goal is to keep the American people safe: decimated
Al Qaeda, brought Osama Ben Laden to justice, ending the war in Afghanistan
and nation building in Ohio. Cut taxes for the middle class and small businesses,
repealed Don't ask, Don't tell. Our stock market is on the rebound. Our heroes
are coming home.

I would like to hear both candidate' s plans to address the issue of poverty and
inequality. Many are quite concerned about the latest 7.8% unemployment rate
report. The unemployment rate for African-American males is 14.2%. Poverty
diminishes the person and lack of a meaningful job leads to a breakdown in the
moral and social fabric of the community. Leadership and advocacy voices on
this issue have been muted.

In 2008, I volunteered for neighborhood and telephone canvassing prospective
voters through the Trotwood Democratic Club Office. Since August 29, 2012
I have volunteered at the Organizing for America Office  on Mondays.
My duties have included telephone canvassing and recruitment
calls for volunteers. When I learned there was a need for "Beds for Barack,"
I recruited  friends and fellow church members to provide housing for volunteers
coming to Dayton to Get Out The Vote. I was pleased when a fellow church
member housed two young people from Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.,
Washington, D.C. Office. I have been impressed with the young people who
staffed the Organizing for America Office, Shanika, Steven, Monica, Hamidi.

The American Dream

The 2012 Republican National Convention and Democratic National Convention showcased
speaker after speaker who recounted and celebrated their American Dream. Their inspiring
stories prompted me to reflect on my family American Dream.

The American Dream is about liberty, inalienable rights, the pursuit of happiness. "If you were
white willing to work, you stood a chance of transcending the circumstances of your father
and his father." The status of your birth did not determine your future.

My parents were ordinary people. My mother was eighteen when I was born; my father
twenty-one. It was the middle of the Great Depression. Neither had a high school education.
They were tenant farmers. They were young, optimistic, resilient, and hardworking in
the face of extraordinary obstacles of Jim Crow. Everyone did not get a fair chance. Neither
were the rules fair, especially for African-Americans. It would take the Civil Rights Revolution
to improve opportunities, justice, and a chance for the American Dream.

My parents became part of the labor class of World War II. My mother worked as a munitions
handler at the Pine Bluff Army Arsenal (bomb assembly). My father laid railroad tires
at the same facility before going to work thirty years as a stowman for the St Louis
Southwestern Railway, the Cotton Belt.

My parents' American Dream was to see an end to Jim Crow, a living wage job to take
care of their family, an education for their daughter, a home of their own, and an
automobile.

My parents were extraordinary in their sacrifice for an education for me. They valued
education, believed it was the pathway to a better life, and held intrinsic attributes,
something no one could take away from you. In the fourth grade they enrolled me in
in St. Peter's Catholic School. They paid tuition and bought books for two daughters.
At seventeen, I graduated from J. C. Corbin High School, the laborotory school of
AM&N College, and entered A.M&N (now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff).
My parents paid all tuition, collegiate fees, and books. For four years, I drove their car
five days a week to commute to campus. They provided the gas, maintenance and a
daily monetary allowance while providing for my basic needs, food, housing, clothing,
and health care. They paid the fees for me to join a sorority.

At the time, there were no Pell Grants or Federal Student Loan Program. My parents
were committed to my college education "as long as she wants to go." They expected
me to do my part. I was diligent in my studies, not to disappoint or let them down. I
graduated in four years with a BA degree in Sociology in 1957. That same year, I
received a Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation grant to pursue the Master of Social
Work degree at Atlanta University (now Whitney M. Young, Jr. School of Social Work).

I am forever grateful for my parents' sacrifices for the gift of a college education that
put me on the pathway to my American Dream. I am forever grateful for the government's
investment in my graduate education which enabled my professional education as a social
worker to be realized.

I am forever grateful to the change agents, the Civil Rights warriors, known and unknown,
who believed that the chance for the American Dream should be extended to all Americans.

Source:
Gladys Turner Finney Recollections
The History Of The American Dream: Is it still real? Time Magazine, June 2, 2012.