Candace Chambers
Blue & White Flash / News Editor
“Fifty Years of Civil Rights: Then and Beyond and featured the novel, ‘I Dreamt I was in Heaven- The Rampage of the Rufus Buck Gang’ by Leonce Gaiter was the focus of the Jackson State University 24th National African-American Read-In.
The event, held on Feb. 4, 2013, included student, staff and faculty participants who gathered for enlightenment and to analyze the American government system through a journey in history.
The read-in is sponsored by the Black Caucus of National Council of Teachers of English and the National Council of Teachers of English. The goal of the day according to the council is to, “make the celebration of African-American literacy a traditional part of Black History Month activities.”
In 2002, the first read-in was held on the campus of JSU and the components nationwide are to feature a book written by an African-American writer and to host the event in Feb.
Dr. Doris Ginn, linguist and associate professor of English at JSU, had a prominent role in establishing the African-American Read-In on the campus as a kick off for Black History month.
“There are many aspects of the read-in that are beneficial to students. First, it makes them aware of our Black culture. Second, it opens their eyes to the prominence of African-Americans long before them and here today. Third, it prompts students into the need to read,” said Ginn.
The day’s sessions included vast amounts of information regarding the featured novel, slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, and tributes to musician, author, playwright and former JSU professor, the late Dr. Charles Chiplin.
The read-in was dedicated to Chiplin and in his honor, the audience sang the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which he would play on the piano at the beginning of previous events.
To pay tribute, some of Chiplin’s former students read poems from his novels, including the book Rose from the Bottom and his African Youth Creed. His motto in life was “If I can helps somebody in passing alone, then my living will not be in vain.”
Gaiter’s novel, the featured selection for the read-in, is a fictional account of the Rufus Buck gang, who in the summer of 1985 went on a spree of killings, robberies, and rapes. The gang of five, led by 18 year old Rufus Buck, was mixed with Native-Americans, African-Americans, and others. Buck hoped the uprisings would create a disturbance in Oklahoma, eventually depowering the White majority. The movie “Django Unchained” is loosely based on the novel.
C. Leigh McInnis, professor in the English and Modern Language Department at JSU posed questions to the audience about the bigger message.
“He’s [Django] not just about shoot’em up bang-bang, but instead a true historical understanding of what Django is about,” said McInnins.
Carl Mitchell, a JSU graduate student majoring in urban higher education administration from Yazoo, Miss. believes it is essential for the younger generation to become educated about their history.
“History is like a cause and effect. Those that understand the past can understand the future. We must have a basic knowledge of ourselves,” said Mitchell. “If someone guides you, research it. Add it to your philosophy to help you survive. Everyone has a role.”
Tyra Gowdy, a junior English major from Ponca City, Okla. enjoyed the discussion of the novel.
“I liked how they talked about the mindset of individuals. They allowed the students to become involved in the discussion,” said Gowdy.
The Civil Rights Movement was also a topic of review. Hilliard Lackey, associate professor in the Jake Ayers Institute asked the audience, “What is Civil Rights?” He took a look down the road of American history to discover who was included in the “all” as stated in the last line of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Former JSU professor and community leader, Ivory Phillips provided facts about Civil Rights occurrences on and around the campus of Jackson State University in the years of his tenure as a student from 1960-1963. From his experiences, he urged students to strive for a free college, a free student body, and a bond between the campus and the community.
Treyvon Wilson, a junior entrepreneurship major from Vicksburg, Miss. appreciated and respected the accounts of historical moments.
“They didn’t have many opportunities and had to go to other places in the community to talk about issues. We need to learn more about their experiences because we have more options to discuss issues,” said Wilson.
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