The Forgotten People: Restoring a Missing Segment of Plaquemines Parish History

By Rev. Tyronne Edwards

The Forgotten People: Restoring a Missing Segment of Plaquemines Parish History chronicles the little-known but inspiring achievement of African Americans in dismantling institutional racism in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, located at the end of the United States.

Rev. Tyronne Edwards, a lifelong resident and spiritual leader of the parish, introduces the reader to people cultivating a spirituality that lifted them from the dehumanization of slavery on more than a dozen plantations. He recounts the state laws enacted by African Americans during the Reconstruction Era that would be considered progressive in this modern day. We meet the community leaders who outwitted and outlasted Judge Leander Perez, a fierce segregationist who reigned over Plaquemines and state politics. We learn the battles waged by African Americans to knock down doors in schools, businesses, and government that were once closed to them.

With photographs, interviews, and a penetrating analysis of racism, Rev. Edwards breathes life into the important historical record of African American in Plaquemines Parish who should never be forgotten.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 6, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524589998

Rev. Tyronne Edwards

Rev. Tyronne Edwards is a native of downtown Phoenix, Louisiana, in Plaquemine Parish. He has 47 years of community organizing/human service experiences on local, state, and international levels. Along with his community development work, Rev. Edwards is a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, pastor, human/community development specialist, substance abuse specialist, advocate, and mentor, training facilitator, playwright, photojournalist and community historian. He has a Bachelor and Master of Theology –Christian Bible College of Louisiana, Graduate of University of New Orleans Metropolitan College – Paralegal, Tulane University – Substance Abuse Certificate, and University of Georgia – Cooperative Management. He is the owner of T. Edwards Inc.; the founder and former Executive Director of the Zion Travelers Cooperative Center, Inc. (ZTCC) in Plaquemines Parish which was organized in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Anchored in the biblical revelation and conviction of “Let us arise and rebuild,” ZTCC was the only relief program available to east bank residents. He has over 40 years of creating and managing multi-purpose cultural, educational and recreational programs that benefit the entire community. Rev. Edwards tirelessly advocates for federal, state, and local support for the rebuilding of coastal communities and the restoration of coastal communities and the restoration of ecosystem damaged by hurricanes and the BP oil drilling disaster. He continually testify before congressional hearing panels on climate change, environmental injustice, coastal restoration, and lobby representatives to support the continuing work of rebuilding the Gulf Coast. For 37 years as a trainer/facilitator for the People’s Institution for Survival & Beyond have conducted Undoing Racism workshops throughout the country. He was on the Steve Wonder‘s Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday Committee; a staff member with his son (Saddi) on the historical Million Man March. Rev. Edwards is a former member of Free Southern and Ethopian Theater, Rev. Edwards is an executive board member of the Christian Ministers Missionary Baptist Association (CMMBA) of Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes. He represent his community as a member of the Plaquemines Parish Planning Zoning Board. He is a member of the Plaquemines Parish Historical Society and the Historic New Orleans Collection. He is a former board member on Plaquemines Hospital Service District & Medical Center, and Chairman of Metropolitan Human Service District Behavioral Health Regional Advisory Council. He unsuccessfully ran for District 1 councilman in 1981 and for Parish President in 2001. Rev. Edwards is a community advocate at all parish government meetings in his community. As Executive Director of the Fishermen& Concerned Citizen Association he brought international and national attention to the grassroots social change movement and plight of citizens in Plaquemines Parish. Rev. Tyronne Edwards is proud that he has helped his community to get a sense of their own power and self-determination.

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 by Rev. Tyronne Edwards.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2017903605

ISBN:      Hardcover            978-1-5245-8997-4

                Softcover             978-1-5245-8998-1

                eBook                 978-1-5245-8999-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 07/05/2017

Rev. Tyronne Edwards

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DEDICATION OF LOVE

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This book is dedicated with love and gratitude to my mother, Dorothy Amazin Grace Thomas Stone, who was my best and true friend for 61 beautiful years. Her spiritual guidance and encouragement made this book possible.

To my wife, Gail Gregory Edwards, the love and foundation of my life and the wind beneath my wings; my children Saddi Toola, Awanna Nefertari, Sadiki Imhotep, and Malaikia Antoinette; and my grandchildren, Mecca, Nigal, Marley, Calli, Kamilah and the late Amir.

In honor of the legacy of my great-great-great-great-great-grandparents John and Mary Thomas, great-great-great-great-grandparents George and Sue Ann Thomas, great-great-great-grandparents Clement and Rebecca Thomas, great-great-grandparents Clem and Rachelle Thomas, great-grandparents Rev. Nathan and Grace Thomas, and my grandfather and grandmother, Rev. Dymond Thomas, Sr. and Florida Turner Thomas.

With deep gratitude for all the residents of Downtown Phoenix in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, the best place on planet Earth; the African American communities of Plaquemines, where my calling and ministry were fulfilled; and the unborn African Americans of Plaquemines Parish who will be proud of their ancestors’ contributions and sacrifices to make Plaquemines Parish a beloved community.

From the heart of the Author

To God Be The Glory!

Contents

Acknowledgements

Legacy Of Love

Quote One: My Life Sentences Hebrew 11:1 & Isaiah 6:8

Introduction

Quote Two: 2 Corinthians 4:8

Chapter One African Americans Living Free In Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana

Quote Three: A People Without Knowledge

Chapter Two Free Our Minds

Chapter Three Plaquemines Parish’s Mafaa 1807-1870 Enslaved African Labor

Quote Four: Nobody’s Free

Chapter Four Freedom’s Lawmakers In Plaquemines Parish 1865-1877

Quote Five: Internalized Racial Superiority

Chapter Five The Legalization Of White Superiority: 1877 – 1954

Quote Six: State Of African American

Chapter Six Self-Determination Through The Church: Servants Of The People 1860-1970

Quote Seven: My Life Work

Chapter Seven Ministers Of Education

Quote Eight: I Swear To The Lord

Chapter Eight Fighting for Democracy on Foreign Soil Denied Democracy in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana

Quote Nine: You Can Pray Until You Faint

Chapter Nine Plaquemines Parish’s Freedom Fighters

Quote Ten: Freedom Is Never Voluntarily Given

Chapter Ten Freedom’s Children:

Quote Eleven: Forms Of Racism

Chapter Eleven Judge Perez’s Last Legal Stand:

Quote Twelve: The Ultimate Measure Of A Man

Chapter Twelve Plaquemines Parish Trailblazers: One Person, One Vote

Quote Thirteen: We Declare Our Rights On This Earth

Chapter Thirteen The Origin And Accomplishments Of The Fishermen & Concerned Citizens Association (Fcca) Of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana

Association (FCCA)

Epilogue

Quote Fourteen: If You Will Protest Courageously

About The Author

References

Acknowledgements

I deeply appreciate the encouragement, prayers, and assistance of so many family members, friends, and acquaintances during the writing of this book.

Thanks to my wife, Gail Gregory Edwards, the wind beneath my wings. Her unconditional love and support sustain my work and life ministry. To my oldest son and first born Saddi Toola, who is totally responsible for the layout of all the graphics in this book; my second son, Sadiki Imhotep, who filmed interviews and contributed to the editing of photos for this book; my oldest daughter, Awanna Nefertari (The Queen), who will forever hold special power over daddy; my youngest daughter, Malaikia, who out all my children has my theatrical DNA; my three grandsons Mecca, Nijal and Marley; and my two granddaughters, Cali and Kamilah.

To my oldest brother Malik, my mentor; my brother Alton (Sugar Ed) advisor, and consultant Alton who is joined at the hips with me as our lives are interconnected on so many levels; my two living sisters, Claudette (Gayle), who is my big sister and the one I bounce my ideas off to gain her perspectives; and my sister and academia advisor Carolyn (Cat); and to my brother-in-law Ben Robinson, the special man. If I need it and can’t find it, Ben would make it happen.

Special memories and love for my two sisters who are with the ancestors, Janice (Moonie) who is the oldest and Patsy who is the youngest. They affectionately called me baby brother. To all my nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grand nieces, great-grandnephews,

To my godmother Delores White, who is my other mother forever, whom I love and who contributed to my delinquency when I was young in a good way. Her home in New Orleans was my home away from Plaquemines Parish.

To all my cousins and Rev. Eddie Nat Thomas, our family historian.

To my Zion Travelers Baptist Church (the little church with a big heart) family for their prayers, support, and love for my ministry and all my endeavors.

A special thanks to my long-time friend Johnny Jackson, Jr., who gave me the book Black Legislators in Louisiana during Reconstruction by Charles Vincent, which is the foundation and motivation for my writing this book.

Thanks to Margaret Freeman and David Billings, who, fifteen years ago, edited my first introduction to this book. Thanks to Triste Cosse, my spiritual daughter, for applying her editorial skills to improve my manuscript by working on the structure and clarity of my unusual writing style and language. Thanks to Bridget Lahane for editing a third of this book during her life-changing experiences. Special thanks to Attorney Monique Harden for an amazing job of editing the entire manuscript of this book and understanding my unusual writing style and political language.

Thanks to my longtime friend and sister Peggy Ragas and her brother Danny Ragas, who served as my advisors and consultants on voter registration and school integration. Their networking skills and invaluable wealth of knowledge of the history of integrating Plaquemines Parish schools tremendously benefited my writing this book.

Thanks to my Pastor Rev. Melvin Q. Cross, Sr. and the other 12 founders and members of the Fishermen & Concerned Citizens Association, Inc. (FCCA); and special thanks to Gary Barthelemy and Vergie Encalade, who are the heart and soul of the FCCA. My leadership in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana is the result of my work and relationship with the FCCA, and I will be forever grateful to this organization.

Special thanks to Ron (Moon) Chisom and Jim Dunn, the co-founders of the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond, and all the PISAB trainers, who taught me what racism is, how racism was developed, how racism is maintained, and how to undo racism.

Thanks to Cheryl Steward (rest in peace) and Carolyn Wares from Louisiana State University (LSU), who encouraged my work on this book and helped me to find remarkable research materials.

Thanks to my comrade Dr. Austin Allen, who made it possible for me to have access to LSU’s library and shared his great wisdom which was invaluable to my research.

Thanks to Elizabeth Williams, Ollie Narcisse and Irene Williams, who welcomed me into their home unannounced and at any time of day and night to get photos from their historical archives.

Thanks to Regina Picquet for donating the Belle Chase High School year book on CD. Thanks to Ms. Marion and Charlene Reddick, Melvin Pansy, Irene Williams, and Janice Andry for their important photos.

Thanks to the staff of the following libraries, universities, historic collections, and research institutions. Special thanks to Librarian Barbara T. Nash at the Belle Chasse Branch of the Plaquemines Parish Public Library, who is the first librarian to help me with the research for this book and consistently assisted me to the end along with other staff members. Thanks to the Plaquemines Parish Public Library in Buras and the Woodland Plantation in Plaquemines Parish. Thanks to the reference staff at the New Orleans Public Library. Thanks to Dorothy Dot Lundy and the Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court staff for their invaluable patience and guiding me through their rich archive and making special trips to their other location to get information. To Rod Lincoln of the Plaquemines Parish Historical Association for his references and support. Amistad Research Center at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana; The Historic New Orleans Collection-Williams Research Center; The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Michigan; Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana; Jefferson Parish Public Library in Louisiana; Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Louisiana Supreme Court; New Orleans Public Library; New York Public Library in Manhattan, New York; St. Bernard Parish Public Library in Louisiana; U.S. Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.; and Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, New York.

Thanks to everyone whom I interviewed for this book. Whether you are specifically mentioned in this book or not, I am grateful for what you shared.

These written words cannot adequately express how grateful I am to everyone contributions. Everyone part contributed to this historical book.

Hallelujah! To God Be The Glory!

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Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send, And who will go for us? Then I said, Here am I! Send me.

Isaiah 6:8

My life sentences!

Rev. Tyronne Edwards

Introduction

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In the summer of 1965, I was working in the field for a local white farmer in Wills Point (part to the old Belair Plantation) on the East Bank of Plaquemines Parish. I was thirteen years old, the youngest of the farmworkers. I was told that I would be paid $6 for each day of work. I out-worked everyone, picking the most tomatoes and cucumbers, and loading hampers on and off the trucks. I injured my underarm (I still have the scar today) putting hampers on the truck, but this injury did not stop me from working.

After five days of working on the farm, everyone, except for me, was paid $30.00. I was paid only $20.00. All of my cousins and other co-workers said that my lower wage was justified because I was the youngest worker and didn’t have a social security card. They told me that there was nothing I could do about it. That $20.00 had the value of a single dollar to me, but I was told to accept it and not demand fair compensation for my hard work. This unjust event was my introduction to racism.

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I began to ask my mother questions about the racism taking place in our hometown of Phoenix in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. I asked her why there weren’t any African Americans working on the ferry or driving tractors. She told me that everything has an ending. She described how the Mississippi River begins in Minnesota but ends in the Gulf of Mexico at the Southeast end of Plaquemines Parish. Just stay out of the graveyard, a change will come, she would say. Even though I didn’t know what racism was, or how it is manifested, I knew that African American people and white people in Plaquemines lived in two different worlds.

During this same period, I read my first book without pictures, The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley. I read it in two days and did not leave the house. This book changed my life and laid the foundation for my activism. It also enlightened my social and political consciousness about why African Americans in Plaquemines Parish were treated like second-class citizens, and were invisible to the political establishment. To me, Plaquemines Parish represented the color line that W. E. B. Dubois talked about in The Souls of Black Folks.

I continued to read books by militant African American authors like H. Rap Brown and James Baldwin. Then my oldest brother, Malik, who was in the Marine Corps, started writing my mother long letters from the brig, a military prison. I read his letters, which were about institutionalized racism in America.

After Malik was discharged from the Marine Corps, he joined the Washington, D.C. Chapter of the Black Panther Party. He started sending me issues of the Black Panther Party newspapers. I read them over and over and took them to school and showed them to the only teacher who would discuss the articles with me. I became an undercover revolutionary.

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In 1969 I wanted to let my hair grow out to an afro, a badge of my militancy and pride for my African heritage. My mother gave me permission to grow an Afro as long as I kept it neat. I religiously went to the Afro House barbershop in New Orleans once a month for a trim. It was at this barbershop, where militant ex-Vietnam veterans congregated, and I listened to their conversations about social/political issues, debates about racism, and views on local and current events.

I was in the 11th grade at Phoenix High School when the white superintendent of the Plaquemines Parish School Board visited my school a few days before the Thanksgiving holiday in 1969. The superintendent did not like the very large afros worn by members of the school basketball team. And because of the superintendents’ dislike of afros, the African American principal of the high school announced over the intercom system that all of us students wearing bushes had to cut our hair during the Thanksgiving holiday recess from school. However, after the Thanksgiving holiday, I returned to school proudly wearing my afro and was immediately expelled from school.

The day of my expulsion, I slowly walked home. I was in no rush to tell my mother (Dorothy Stone) what happened and imagined how she would react to the news. My mother was angered that I was expelled for my afro. She immediately changed her clothes and we hitch-hiked a ride not to the principal’s office but to the school superintendent’s office.

My mother told the superintendent that I was expelled from school by the principal for my hair style. The superintendent told my mother that he agreed with the principal’s decision. I will never forget my mother’s response to him and the intensity of her voice: I will not give you or the principal my son’s head on a silver platter!

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The superintendent stood shocked and surprised at my mother’s statement. She left his office with me, and we got car a ride to the NAACP office in the historical Peter Claver Building on Orleans Avenue in New Orleans.

Mr. Harvey Britton, NAACP Field Director, was shocked when he found out that I was expelled by an African American principal from an all-African American school for wearing an afro. I later discovered that the principal was suffering from Internalized Racial Inferiority.

The NAACP filed a lawsuit against the Plaquemines Parish School Board. I moved to New Orleans to live with my godmother, Delores Nedd, until the trial was over. I enrolled and attended school at John McDonough High School on Esplanade Avenue in New Orleans. After several months, the Plaquemines Parish School Board found out where I was attending school and wrote a letter to the Orleans Parish School Board notifying the board that I did not live in New Orleans or in the district of the John McDonough High School and should be removed from school. This resulted in my dismissal from John McDonough High School.

When the trial date was set the attorney asked my mother and me to help identify students in Plaquemines Parish who could testify about being forced to cut their afros. From Braithwaite to Bohemia, two cities located to the north and south of Phoenix about 35 miles apart on