Ernest Fredric “Sunshine Sammy” Morrison was known for his role as one of the original Little Rascals. It is believed that Morrison was the first black actor to sign a long-term film contract, as well as the first black child actor.
ERNEST FREDRIC MORRISON
Morrison was born in New Orleans in 1912 and began his film career almost immediately afterwards. He was first used in a film because the original child actor would constantly cry. A crew member asked Morrison’s father to bring his infant son, and since the baby gave the crew everything they needed, he was given the nickname “Sunshine.”
As a child, he appeared in Baby Marie Osbourne silent film features. By the time he was four years old, “The Sunshine Sammy Series” was a feature created for him. Morrison later appeared in 28 episodes of the Little Rascals between 1922 and 1924.
After extensive traveling and touring in Australia with his partner Sleepy Williams, Morrison returned to the United States and was chosen by Sam Katzman to be one of the East Side Kids. Morrison could relate to the role from the beginning, due to his personal experiences growing up on the East Side of New York. Morrison played the only black member of the gang, “Scruno,” and had as many lines as the other members of the cast. Morrison wanted to pursue other opportunities in show businesses, so after working with the gang for three years, he decided to part ways. Morrison went on to appear in shows such as “Good Times” and “The Jeffersons.” He also appeared in 145 motion pictures and was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1987. Morrison died in Lynwood, California on July 24, 1989.
Troy Rogers, co-founder of The Lighthouse Collective and Chattanooga’s director of public safety, was honored with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga Chris Ramsey Mentoring Legacy Award. He was recognized during the 2nd Annual City of Potentials Awards Breakfast on Thursday, Aug. 23, at The Common House.
The Chris Ramsey Mentoring Legacy Award celebrates a community leader and Big Brother whose long-standing commitment to mentoring has impacted the lives of many, embodying the ideals that defined Chris Ramsey.
“Congratulations to the city of Chattanooga’s own Troy Rogers for receiving the 2023 Chris Ramsey Mentoring Award from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga,” said Mayor Tim Kelly. “Mentorship is one of the most effective strategies for reducing violence in our community, and I’m thrilled to see one of our well-deserving team members receive this honor.”
Rogers, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, has transformed the lives of countless individuals through his innovative approaches to building relationships and solving problems.
“Troy Rogers is a role model for all of us,” said Jessica Whately, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga. “He is a passionate advocate for mentoring and for the young people in our community. He is a true champion of potential.”
Rogers’ nomination for the 2023 Chris Ramsey Mentoring Award described him as an individual who “has a knack for meeting people where they are, and he galvanizes support for initiatives, organizations, and coalitions–most of which he co-leads himself–in an effort to unearth and provide opportunities for many sensitive, local communities and for those with justice involved backgrounds. Rogers continues to empower self-worth and self-sufficiency within compromised neighborhoods in order to bring people up and out of poverty and to break the cycle of systemic socio-economic hardship.”
Other 2023 City of Potential Award recipients include:
Accelerating Potential Award – Percy Garcia-Rosell (United Way);
Excellence in Mentoring – Ken Jones (EPB);
Defenders of Potential – Mitch Collins, Chick-fil-A;
Big Brother and Little Brother of the Year – Todd Edwards and Camron;
Big Sister and Little Sister of the Year – Alyse Anderson and Autumn;
Big Couples Match of the Year – Sandra Neal and Jason and Haven.
The City of Potential Awards Breakfast raised more than $55,000 in support of BBBS’s mentoring programs.
The Lighthouse Collective provides mentoring and life-skill training for Chattanooga’s teens and young adults.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga, a leading youth mentoring organization, spotlights individuals and organizations that make a difference in our community through mentorship.
“At Big Brothers Big Sisters, we believe in the remarkable power of mentoring to unlock boundless potential,” said Whately. “We are thrilled to have celebrated the magic of mentorship at the City of Potential Awards Breakfast, honoring the incredible mentors who are shaping futures and creating a world of possibilities in Chattanooga.” To learn about mentorship opportunities at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga, call (423) 698-8016 or visit www.bbbschatt.org.
Deborah Gunn (center) takes a selfie at the Kingdom Partners Mentoring Collective Leadership Training and Celebration event last Saturday.
The Kingdom Partners Mentoring Collective marked a significant milestone with its Leadership Training and Celebration last Saturday at 10 a.m. The event, attended by around 100 stakeholders, took place at the New Covenant Fellowship Church on 1326 North Moore Rd.
Attendees were treated to a hearty breakfast as they gathered to discuss the impactful city-wide initiative.
The Mentoring Collective aims to harness the strength of the faith community to support the city’s youth. By partnering with local churches, the initiative seeks to place mentoring coordinators in these institutions. This collaborative approach will encompass both group and individual mentoring.
All mentors are screened and trained by Big Brothers Big Sisters in accordance with stringent Mentoring Standards. The Mentoring Collective will also provide ongoing support to mentors and mentees throughout the mentoring relationship.
During last Saturday’s event, Dr. Bernie Miller, pastor of New Covenant Fellowship Church, extended a warm welcome via video, setting the tone for the gathering. The occasion was blessed by Elder and Youth Pastor Joe Vesselles’ opening prayer.
Jefferson Davis Herring, Kingdom Partners’ senior advisor/consultant, emphasized the significance of collective effort in the charitable community of Chattanooga, and underlined Kingdom Partners’ commitment to bridging diverse sectors.
“Chattanooga, we have what I call a charitable community that provides lots of supplemental services,” Herring said. “Kingdom Partners provides some of these services. And we try to affect charity to change by involving faith-based groups, government, nonprofits, business and our educational system. We like to move from battlegrounds to playgrounds. Your being here is an example of community coming together to help our young. As evidenced today, our community has come along beside us in this journey, and we hope to build strong relationships with you as partners.”
Edward Ellis, Diversity Partnership manager at Big Brothers Big Sisters, delivered a stirring message of encouragement.
“Structured and naturally occurring mentoring relationships have powerful effects which provide young people with positive and complimentary benefits in a variety of personal, academic and professional factors,” Ellis said. “In other words, you are helping to grow and nurture children, individuals who will become great members of society. And the longer the mentor relationship lasts, the greater the value for you.”
Ellis also serves as Senior Pastor at Mt. Peria Missionary Baptist Church in Ringgold, Georgia.
Deborah Gunn led a training session on the “Characteristics of Successful Leaders.” Her insights highlighted accountability, authenticity, caring, citizenship, courage, conscientiousness, commitment, fairness, forgiveness, generosity, honesty, humbleness, influence, integrity, kindness, loyalty, optimism, perseverance, politeness, reliability, respect, responsibility, self-discipline and trustworthiness as traits that shape effective leaders.
In 2019, Gunn founded INSPIRE, a company that provides professional development workshops and coaching. The company’s acronym stands for INSPIRATIONAL, NETWORKER, STRATEGIC, INNOVATOR, RELATABLE and ENTHUSIASTIC. Gunn’s connection with New Covenant Fellowship Church and her commitment to youth development added a valuable dimension to the event.
Each mentee present was gifted a $50 Walmart prepaid card, a heartwarming gesture that reinforced the notion that support is a tangible token of care.
Representatives from various organizations attended, including Boys to Men at the Beth; Changing Direction for Success; City Community Church Corner Evolution; Every Valley Leadership Academy; Kingship Chess Academy; Re-Wake; The House Ministry at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; and The Young Ladies of Power.
For more information about Kingdom Partners, visit https://kingpartners.org.
Mayor Tim Kelly welcomed Chattanooga native Jimmy Allgood to his office last week to congratulate him on winning two awards at the International Singer-Songwriters Association (ISSA).
Mr. Allgood’s ISSA wins at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center in Atlanta on August 5 were a testament to his exceptional talent and the overwhelming support of thousands of voters from around the world.
Jimmy Allgood’s success is rooted in his passion for music and his journey as an artist.
Nominated in April for three esteemed categories at the ISSA Awards, Mr. Allgood secured his place as a finalist in all three: USA Male Vocalist of the Year, USA Male Single of the Year, and USA Male Rising Star. The awards show, which took place at the same venue as the BMI Awards, proved to be an unforgettable night for the talented artist.
Mr. Allgood’s hit single, Moving On, earned him the USA Male Single of the Year Bronze Award, while his exceptional vocal prowess led him to clinch the coveted USA Male Vocalist of the Year Gold Award, the highest honor bestowed at the event. This recognition not only underscores his remarkable achievements, but it also further establishes his position as a rising star in the music industry.
Tamanie Dove, a singer-songwriter from Nashville now based in Atlanta, founded ISSA to provide support to independent artists of all musical genres worldwide. The organization fosters the growth of aspiring and established singers and songwriters through a variety of programs and services, including education, promotion and networking opportunities.
Mr. Allgood’s success is rooted in his passion for music and his journey as an artist. At 18, he was signed to a major independent label and has since shared the stage with Celo, Lo-Key?, and Xscape. He was one of the first African American R&B soul artists from Chattanooga to land a nationwide BET video.
Mr. Allgood’s impact on the community extends far beyond his musical talent. Through his non-profit organization, Peace in the Streets, he has dedicated himself to addressing youth gun violence as a speaker. He has also been actively involved in the fight against hunger and worked to preserve the historical heritage of Lincoln Park.
In recognition of his many accomplishments, Mayor Kelly proclaimed March 26, 2022 to be “Jimmy Allgood Day.”
Mr. Allgood expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the ISSA family, and thanked his friends, fans and followers. He said, “We did it! Without your support, I would not be here. I love each and every one of you.”
Chattanooga State Community College has appointed Dr. Wendolyn Davis as the executive director of Pathway Alignment. The three-year grant-funded position will focus on creating clear and effective pathways to high-demand, higher-wage careers available within Chattanooga State’s service area. The position reports directly to the College president.
“I am so pleased Dr. Wendolyn Davis has joined the Chattanooga State team,” stated Dr. Rebecca Ashford, College president. “She will be laser-focused on aligning career pathways within the College and with external partners. Her work is critical to the College reaching our vision that 5,000 Chattanooga State students of every race and income level will earn a credential leading to a pathway to a family-sustaining wage.”
Dr. Davis comes to Chattanooga State from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where she led Transfer Student Recruitment and Transfer Evaluation and Operations. Her previous experiences also include workforce development and helping students overcome barriers to achieving academic and career goals.
Dr. Davis holds a Ph.D. in Organization and Management, an MBA in Human Resource Management, a BS in Psychology, and an associate degree in general studies. Dr. Davis, of her new role, said, “I am thrilled to join Chattanooga State as the executive director of Pathway Alignment. Working together with the college’s dedicated educators and community partners, we will create robust pathways to success for students that lead to great careers in our community.”
National – On Tuesday, September 5, 2023, President Biden, at the White House, awarded the Medal of Honor to 81-year-old retired Captain Larry L. Taylor, a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War who flew hundreds of missions and risked his life to save four of his countrymen caught in a firefight.
“When I called Larry to let him know he finally was receiving this recognition, his response was, ‘I thought you had to do something to receive the Medal of Honor,'” the president said during the White House ceremony. “Let me say that again, he said, ‘I thought you had to do something to receive the Medal of Honor.’ Well Larry, you sure as hell did something, man.”
Taylor was a first lieutenant on June 18, 1968, when he deployed in support of a patrol that had been surrounded by an enemy force. Braving intense fire in pitch black conditions, Taylor and his wingman made low-level attack runs. As they neared the end of their ammunition, Taylor learned that a plan to rescue the patrol had been canceled. So, Taylor decided to extract the team using his two-man Cobra helicopter — something the White House says had never been attempted, let alone accomplished.
“The rescue helicopter was not coming,” Mr. Biden said as he retold the story Tuesday. “Instead, Lieutenant Taylor received a direct order: Return to base. His response was just as direct: ‘I’m getting my men out. I’m getting my men out.’ Lieutenant Taylor would perform the extraction himself, a move never before accomplished in a Cobra.”
“Welcome Home” Parade Honoring Taylor Scheduled for September 11 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Taylor had his wingman fire his remaining mini-gun runs and return to basecamp. Then, Taylor fired his own remaining mini-gun rounds, using his landing lights to draw enemy attention while the soldiers headed to an extraction point.
Once his team reached the extraction site, Taylor landed his Cobra under heavy fire, “with complete disregard for his personal safety,” as the White House put it. The soldiers climbed aboard and Taylor took them to a safe location. That day, Taylor rewrote the stories of the four men he saved for generations, the president said.
The soldiers miraculously rescued on that night were David Hill of Visalia, Ca.; Robert Elsner of New York City; Gerald Patty of Maryville, Tn.; and William P. Cohn of Norwich, Ct.
Sgt. David Hill, the surviving member of Taylor’s mission and “driving force” behind Taylor receiving the Medal of Honor, was in the crowd to watch the president honor Taylor at the White House.
For his heroic actions on that night, June 18, 1968, Taylor was awarded the Silver Star, which President Biden upgraded to a Medal of Honor. Upon receiving his Medal of Honor, Taylor became the 33rd Tennessee and the 6th soldier with ties to the Chattanooga area who have received our country highest military award for valor.
Captain Taylor concluded his four years of military service with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in West Germany. With the 1st Squadron, 4th U.S. Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division, Taylor flew well over 2,000 combat missions in the UH-1 and Cobra helicopters. He was engaged by enemy fire 340 times and was forced down five times. He was awarded 61 combat decorations, including 44 Air Medals, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, two Bronze Stars, and four Distinguished Flying Crosses. Taylor was honorably released from active duty in August 1970, and was discharged from the U.S. Army Reserve in October 1973.
After leaving the Army, Taylor operated a roofing and sheet metal company in Chattanooga where he has also remained active in several veterans’ organizations. Now retired, Taylor and his wife, Toni, reside in Signal Mountain, Tenn.
On Monday, September 11, the Medal of Honor Heritage Center in partnership with Hamilton County, the City of Chattanooga, and the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council will hold a special Patriot Day and “Welcome Home” Parade to honor Captain Taylor as the newest Medal of Honor recipient and a true American hero.
The parade will officially start at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, September 11, and will conclude with a public ceremony at 1 p.m. where local, state, and national dignitaries will make comments honoring Larry Taylor and his heroic act of valor on June 18, 1968, during the Vietnam War.
The parade will officially kick-off with a special flyover of multiple Vietnam-era Cobra and other modern-day helicopters along the parade route in downtown Chattanooga. Taylor will lead the parade as the grand marshal with the US Army’s 1st Infantry Division Mounted Color Guard and Band from Fort Riley, Kansas. The parade will start at the intersection of Martin L. King Boulevard and Market Street. The public is invited to line Market Street, and continue down Market Street to W. Aquarium Way, which is where the parade will make a left turn toward the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center at the Aquarium Plaza.
“Chattanooga is the Birthplace of the Medal of Honor, and I encourage everyone to bring their children downtown on September 11 and line Market Street to help honor Larry Taylor as a true American hero and help celebrate the important heritage of the Medal of Honor whose birthplace, like Captain Larry Taylor, is right here in Chattanooga, Tennessee,” said General BB Bell, chairman of the National Advisory Board at the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center.
The parade will also feature a variety of high school bands and JROTC units from schools located throughout Chattanooga and the surrounding community. In addition, ROTC units from universities throughout the region will be marching in the parade alongside various veteran organizations representing all branches of the military and varying conflicts from the Vietnam War to the War on Terror. For additional information on submitting a parade entry, interested parties should contact Bill Norton by email at bill@metroservices.com.
At approximately 1 p.m., the parade will conclude with an official ceremony in front of the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. The public is encouraged to attend the ceremony where Medal of Honor recipient Leroy Petry, who is the president of the Medal of Honor Society, along with other national, state, and local dignitaries and representatives of the US Army will make remarks to honor Taylor and his heroic actions during the Vietnam War.
The Medal of Honor is the highest honor given to members of the military who display conspicuous gallantry and bravery in the field at the risk of their own lives.
According to the National Medal of Honor Museum, only 3,515 Americans who served in the Armed Forces have received the medal, out of 40 million who have served since the Civil War. The public is also invited to visit the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center in Chattanooga, Tenn. and learn more about Captain Larry L. Taylor and other Medal of Honor recipients associated with this region as well as explore why Chattanooga is known as the birthplace of the Medal of Honor.
CBS News reports that COVID cases have continued to rise over the past couple of weeks as three new variants have begun to spread. EG.5, FL.1.5.1, and BA.2.86 are three of the newest variants responsible for an increase in hospitalizations and illnesses nationwide in July and August. According to the CDC, 10,320 patients in the US were hospitalized with COVID-19 during the first week of August. That was a 14.3 percent increase from the previous week.
As a result of this latest surge, children have been particularly hard hit. In accordance with data from the CDC, emergency room visits have increased significantly for children aged 11 and younger.
During the fall and winter, doctors are concerned about a nasty surge of the disease due to the return of students to the classroom. Pediatrician Dr. Shannon Godsil at Omaha Children’s Hospital and Medical Center told the Today Show, that we will more than likely continue to see new COVID variants and mutations.
“However, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has the potential to mutate, so there is a chance that there will be a strain of COVID that we haven’t seen before,” Godsil said.
This has led to many establishments re-implementing mask requirements that have proven to be effective in preventing the spread of the virus.
Morris Brown College, for example, has announced it will implement a COVID-19 mask mandate on campus for a period of two weeks following the rise of cases in the Atlanta area.
In addition to Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, and Spelman, other colleges are encouraging students, faculty, and staff to wear masks as they place temporary COVID precautions in preparation for the school year.
“After consultation with the AUCC Student Health and Wellness Committee and review by the AUCC Presidents, the campuses strongly recommend indoor masking on the Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College campuses to include students, faculty, staff, and visitors for the next 2 weeks while we assess the trends on the campuses…” the colleges said in a statement.
Businesses have also taken the initiative to require the use of masks on the job. Following several positive tests by employees this month, Lionsgate reinstated their mask mandate and daily COVID-19 self-screenings.
“Employees must wear a medical grade face covering (surgical mask, KN95 or N95) when indoors except when alone in an office with the door closed, actively eating, actively drinking at their desk or workstation, or if they are the only individual present in a large open workspace,” Lionsgate said in a statement to employees.
How to protect yourself
In order to help prevent COVID-19 and other winter illnesses from returning, here are some tips you can use to help stop the spread of these infections:
When you are in crowded, indoor spaces, it is recommended that you wear a mask.
If you are feeling sick, take a test as soon as you can and self-isolate. If you test positive, follow any guidance provided by your doctor.
Keep your hands clean by washing them with warm soap and water on a regular basis.
It is important to reduce stress in your day-to-day life as much as possible.
Maintain a healthy and balanced diet and exercise regularly to ensure that you are in good health.
The latest requirements may bring a wave of deja vu to many, but they should be taken as a reminder to take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. (Source: BlackDoctor.org by Robyn Craig)
After reading the article, “Racist attacks spread unease,” I drove by a local Dollar General and paused to think about the innocent employees and customers inside. That led to thinking about what occurred at the Dollar General store in Jacksonville, Florida where three African Americans were gunned down by a racist, an atrocity that left me asking, “Charleston, Buffalo, now Jacksonville, when will this madness end?”
“Why is there this constant hate even after all we’ve been through?” asked Arthur Reed, founder of Houston-based Stop the Killing. “We are a people that have moved on. We never tried to overthrow the government. The constant threats are mind-boggling.”
Figuring that I was not alone grappling with these questions, I reached out for a sanity check to a few locals whose opinions I value. Unsurprisingly, like me they struggled with frustration, outrage and what to do next.
But first for context, let’s look at the undeniable facts.
According to the FBI, there were nearly 13,000 victims of hate crimes in 2021 and Black people were the most targeted of all groups accounting for nearly 4,000 of those victims.
According to a 2022 report by the Pew Research Center, nearly 33% of Black adults were worried almost daily that they might be attacked because of their race. By comparison, 21% of Asians adults and 14% of Hispanic adults felt similarly, while just 4% of White adults reported feeling the same. That study found that nearly 3 in 10 Black adults said that they had changed their daily routine or schedules in the previous years because of those fears.
Say what you will readers, the data speaks for itself and does not require a Ph.D in Applied Mathematics to see that life has become a lot more dangerous for African Americans, especially in recent years due to racist attacks and toxic national rhetoric once subtle, now seemingly an unpunishable badge of honor.
“Terry, when I heard the news, I wondered how someone so young could have such hate in them,” said Anne, the first person I heard from. “I thought of the lives taken because of something beyond their control, the color of their skin. I thought of the people who will mourn them and the unfinished lives they will never live. Then I moved on with my day without giving it any more thought until your email arrived. It made me realize that I am numb to these senseless acts of violence against Black people. Numb! That’s as tragic as these tragedies themselves! They are becoming so frequent that the thought is “Oh no, not another one; that’s a damn shame.” And we move on. What does that say about me? About my humanity? My empathy?”
“I’m most concerned about the disregard for human life,” wrote Louise. “The killer stated that he hated Black people. How many other people feel that entrenched in their feelings about other races to the extent that we have no value, no redeeming qualities to live? As a nation, we need to adopt an “each one, reach one” mentality. We should use every opportunity to bridge relationships with different races, to show our humanity, and to speak out against racial injustices.”
Continued Anne, “I go back to my original question. How could a 21-year-old have so much hate for Black people that he would hunt them down, kill them, and then kill himself? Was it not enough to rant and rave on social media or whatever other nonviolent outlet there is? What’s next? Who’s next? That young murderer legally purchased his weapons. Yet he was involuntarily committed for a mental exam in 2017. Where did this hate come from? Political rhetoric?”
“As a store manager, I’m acutely tuned into customers who come into my establishment,” said Robin who told me that she has an exit plan in place. “Rather than a customer committing acts based on racial hate, top of mind for me is what that unhappy customer may do once he leaves my store.”
“There’s another angle to these tragedies and that is mental illness,” said Louise. “Mental illnesses manifest in different ways. When we suspect someone is acting in a manner that appears contrary to socially acceptable behavior, or one who expresses an intent to harm himself or others, those are red flags. We don’t have to take direct action, but we do need to seek the help of experts immediately.”
In the end, I and many others are flummoxed as to what positive change could look like and, more important, how we could protect ourselves if – correction, when – another racist attack will befall us.
“I haven’t even begun to think about my safety as I walk into the next Dollar Store,” said Anne. “Is that because although I’m Black, I don’t live in a predominantly Black area? I feel safe in my community of Douglas County. Did those poor souls in Jacksonville feel safe in their community?”
“I am going to become more aware of my everyday comings and goings,” wrote Louise. “I’ll continue to either speak up or excuse myself from conversations with uninformed people who wholly disparage or make generalities about other races. I believe the change has to start within each of us, the things we say, the thoughts we fester, and the fundamental attribution errors we make every day.”
So, I’ll end with repeating the question, “Charleston, Buffalo, now Jacksonville, when will this madness end?”
Lord knows that I wish I had the answer.Terry Howard is an award-winning trainer, writer, and storyteller. He is a contributing writer with the Chattanooga News Chronicle, The American Diversity Report, The Douglas County Sentinel, Blackmarket.com, co-founder of the “26 Tiny Paint Brushes” writers guild, recipient of the 2019 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award, and third place winner of the 2022 Georgia Press Award.
NASHVILLE, TN — The John Lewis Way Committee, the USPS, government and community leaders, civil rights icons, and others joined American Baptist College’s administrators, students and staff on Thursday, August 24, for the city of Nashville’s celebration of the U.S. Postal Service’s first-class ‘Forever’ stamp honoring ABC alumnus and former U.S. Representative John Lewis. In the words of Metropolitan Nashville Davidson County Council Member At-Large Zulfat Suara, chair of the John Lewis Way Committee, it was “a historical moment, on a historical day, for a historical man.”
“It’s a privilege to represent the women and men of the U.S. Postal Service, as we honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Congressman John Lewis with our new Commemorative Forever stamp,” said Tennessee District Manager Omar Coleman. “Congressman Lewis fits the most crucial objectives of our stamp program, which are to increase awareness and celebrate the people, places, and things that best exemplify our country.” Deputy Mayor Brenda Haywood told the audience about her childhood years as one who integrated Stratford School and how she lived in a neighborhood that was predominantly white. Therefore, seeing Rep. Lewis on television, during the march on Washington, then as a civil rights activist, she marveled at his drive for justice. “To commemorate this great man with a USPS stamp is an honor,” said Haywood.
In welcoming guests, ABC President Forrest Harris shared a story of Lewis’s time as a student at the College, when he missed his own graduation because he and several classmates were in jail for protesting for civil rights in Hinds County, Mississippi. Harris read a letter that Lewis wrote to the registrar at the time, and noted how fitting it is that Rep. Lewis mailed the letter to the College more than 60 years ago and today has a stamp in his honor.
Former State Senator Brenda Gilmore chaired the Nashville Unveiling of the Rep. John Lewis Stamp. She praised the audience for their presence. “Rep. Lewis’s work in civil rights showed his commitment to justice for all people and that he is most deserving of this USPS stamp,” said Gilmore. The former Senator thanked the United States Post Service for making the Lewis stamp a “Forever Stamp” as we will forever remember the sacrifice and contributions of Congressman John Lewis in Nashville and this country, she added.”
Members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority celebrate their Sigma Brother John Lewis. Photo by Lucretia Gamble.
Jerrick Lewis, the nephew of Rep. Lewis, thanked the College and the Nashville Community for this continued outpouring of support for his uncle. “We appreciate you for keeping his legacy present in our lives.” Members of the Lewis family could not attend the event and sent their heartfelt thanks.
Rep. Lewis came to Nashville to attend American Baptist College and graduated in 1961. He missed his graduation because he was protesting in Jackson, Mississippi for equality in public transportation. After graduation from ABC, Rep. Lewis moved to Atlanta and later returned to Nashville to attend Fisk University and earned another degree in 1967. “We are proud of our shared relationship with ABC for Rep. Lewis and the work he did to fight for justice in Nashville and throughout the world,” said Fisk
University Distinguished Professor of Social Justice, Dr. Richardo Guthrie. The Lewis stamp was made public on July 21. The ABC event was an opportunity for the city of Nashville to celebrate the occasion and his local ties. Sponsors included the U.S. Postal Service, the John Lewis Way Committee, and American Baptist College. The John Lewis Way Committee was established to hold a celebration following his death in 2020 and worked to get the downtown street named in his honor, and continues the celebration each year with his family in attendance.
By Jonathan Finn Professor of Communication Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University
One of the most anticipated events in the summer of 2023 was former President Donald Trump’s mug shot.
The Fulton County Sheriff’s office released Trump’s mug shot on Aug. 24, 2023, a little more than one week after a grand jury in Georgia indicted the former president and 18 associates for alleged attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
In the mug shot, Trump wears one of his classic dark suits with a red tie and a familiar, petulant scowl, with his brow furrowed and mouth turned down.
Save for the gold seal of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, there is nothing particularly noteworthy or interesting about the image.
But Trump’s mug shot’s ultimate importance is yet to be realized.
It will likely be at least a decade or two before Trump’s mug shot’s significance truly registers with people. For now, it is a form of entertainment – a salacious piece of visual culture that Trump’s supporters and opponents have been waiting for and are now putting to use.
But as a historical artifact, the Trump mug shot will be truly unique – it will represent the first time a former president had a public, photographic record of criminal charges.
Long after the various trials come to conclusion, the mug shot will serve as a reminder of a particularly troubling time in American history.
In order to avoid increased penalties for repeat offenses, criminals could try to change their appearance or give different names if arrested.
The mug shot was a way to combat this deception. Other police departments around the world quickly recognized mug shots’ useful nature.
By the end of the 19th century, police departments amassed photographs of criminals into bound collections called rogues galleries, many of which housed thousands of criminals’ images.
Given its use over more than 150 years, the mug shot has an established association with criminality or, at the very least, suspicion of criminality.
While a mug shot does not mean the person pictured has committed a crime, it does mean that police had reason to bring a person into custody and formally book them.
The typically stern faces of those subject to the camera, as well as the inclusion of accouterments such as identification or prisoner numbers or a height chart in the background, add to this association of criminality.
Variations of mug shots
Trump’s mug shot, along with that of his attorney Rudy Giuliani, closely follows the standard mug shot format from the 19th century – with people facing the camera head on, often with a grimace or a solemn face. By contrast, the mug shots of former Trump associates David Shafer and Jenna Ellis look more like family photos, with their wide eyes and toothy grins.
Shafer’s and Ellis’ mug shots follow in the recent practice of others – typically celebrities or politicians – who have pushed back against traditional ideas of how mug shots should look.
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry was indicted for abuse of power in 2014 and gave a full-faced, closed-mouth smile for his mug shot, which looked fit for a political campaign advertisement.
Socialite Paris Hilton also struck highly stylized poses for the camera during all three times she took mug shots following her arrests for drug possession and driving under the influence in the mid-2000s.
Mug shots influence culture
Mug shots primarily serve as an official police identification record.
But when mug shots are released publicly, they become part of a broader conversation about culture and society and can take on different meanings over time.
Former football player O.J. Simpson, who was charged with the death of his former wife and her boyfriend in 1994 – and of which he was later acquitted – offers one the most famous examples of how a mug shot can have an enduring legacy.
But Time darkened Simpson’s skin tone, reflecting false, racist stereotypes about dark skin color and the connection to crime. It later apologized for doing so.
Now, along with being available for purchase as a poster, print or other commercial product, the Simpson mug shot serves as a case study in college courses on criminology and media and communication studies.
Mug shots tap into a cultural fascination with crime and criminal justice, so it is no surprise that mug shots find their way into popular culture – especially when the subjects are famous people.
The mug shots of mobster Al Capone and singer Frank Sinatra from the 1930s are still available on a wide range of commercial products, like shirts and hats.
The actress Jane Fonda famously raised her fist in a 1970 mug shot after she was arrested for drug smuggling. That photo provides evidence of her career as an antiwar and feminist activist. Her charges were ultimately dropped.
Trump’s mug shot and its legacy
Trump’s mug shot will likely continue to be used in a wide range of political, commercial and public contexts, in different ways and to different ends.
Some – including Trump’s legal team – have said that Trump does not need to have a mug shot. No mug shots were required or produced during his other three arrests in 2023.
The argument is that Trump is readily recognized by the police. But the Fulton County sheriff said that Trump would be treated the same as any other person the agency arrests.
I think that Trump’s mug shot is unlikely to sway the hardened views of his most ardent proponents and detractors. There has been a nearly endless stream of information across all forms of media about the former president for nearly a decade. A mug shot won’t make Trump’s supporters think he’s a criminal, but it might encourage future generations to come to that conclusion. (The CONVERSATION)
