Just an amazing story, Ken! In 1981, my first Navy ship, upon which I had been a Plankowner in the fall of 1978, made an enjoyable weeklong visit for Mobile's Mardi Gras. [I even remember the temporary landline we received, 205-432-1565.] Their celebration is older and some consider more authentic than the better-known one in New Orleans.
We experienced nine parades in six days (I wondered where they stored all that stuff during the rest of the year), and our Sailor of the Year (a Delaware native who also happened to be Black) received a Key to the City from the mayor. Kool and the Gang's "Celebrate" was on the pop charts then, and a local TV station aired bars from it at every program break. We had two young crew members from the area (one was from Fairhope) and they were on the front page of the local paper!
Our ship, like the other 30 in its class, was built by Litton Industries in nearby Pascagoula, MS so it was a familiar environment for most of us. [Right after the 1978 commissioning we did have a fun visit to the French Quarter in New Orleans, where I was fortunate to have been able to follow another shipmate who was raised there around to his favorite raw clam bar and other attractions.]
When we later went back to Mississippi for a shipyard update, we were able to do a side trip to Bellingrath Gardens in Theodore, AL. I was extremely impressed with their sunken courtyard just inside the entrance, where they had created as a centerpiece a large floral rendition of the American Legion's emblem.
Having grown up here upstate in the 1960's, I had tended to blame the South for many of our nation's social ills. I was glad that during my 11 years in the Navy (mostly out of Norfolk, VA) I received a more balanced perspective.
It turns out that Mobile was a little more ahead of the curve when it came to ending segregation and had one of the first integrated police forces in the 1950s. During my visit, I not only visited the Battleship Alabama but also Bellingrath Gardens where they had a beautiful evening lantern show going on. Ironically, my father was looking forward to visiting Mobile for a reunion with shipmates in 2002 when he passed away in December 2001.
That's good to hear. When we were in nearby Pascagoula, Mississippi we were told to stay away from a particular local veterans club because they were dominated by racists. It's sad that your dad didn't get to attend his reunion; I had a similar situation with mine when he died in 1983. I had gotten in touch with a reunion organizer for his LST-1024 when they were planning an event in St. Louis. As a 31-year-old active-duty sailor at the time, I would love to have had the opportunity to address his crew!
Dressing to go anywhere was part of the social contract in the 50s and 60s. I am white, I grew up in Queens and I remember that you didn’t go to any social engagement without looking your best.
As a child, this made me feel really special. Getting dressed for the movies was like getting to be a little adult. Your article reminds me that this experience was marred by people who did everything they could to make people of color feel like they were less than.
I appreciate the poise which that woman and child approached such hatred and wonder if I could’ve been so self-possessed in a similar situation.
I remember meeting and talking with Gordon Parks at a reception at St Lawrence. Some of his photos were on display. It continues to be a cherished memory.
...beautiful Theater; excellent sleuthing; poignant and sensitively written piece; we search the past-- trying to understand where -and who- we are: as individuals, as Americans, and as homo "sapien". / "The two are pictured on a balmy summer afternoon standing in front of a movie theater..." --not, as it turns out, "in front of"-- but at the side entrance of, as we now know: thanks to an attention to detail, a passion for accuracy, and an adherence to pursuing and imparting truth, however unpleasant and threatening it may be, wherever it leads us to...
“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
Another good read. If Fox is any indication to what E. may have been thinking, it's who is paying these people posing as protesters. All kinds of accusations about the dirty $$ involved. I shake my head and applaud Indivisible as well as members of the Light Brigade.
When you stand on a blustery bridge in the middle of winter - as the Light Brigade has done repeatedly - there isn't enough money to pay anyone to do that. It is about standing up for what they believe.
My son would be the first to tell you he doesn't own it, but he does have a big responsibility in designing the tours. Hope you got to take one. He steps in from time to time there as well. I was at Oak Alley years ago, but am not familiar with Whitney plantation.
I have to wonder whether theater signs like this are endangered exhibits. And even if they aren't, we have to fight for them like they are indeed endangered.
Thanks for the interesting piece on the Mobile AL photo. Lest we forget! (Also, lest we forget de facto segregation in the north).
As to your Medicare/Medicaid mixup, mine is with DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion). I often say DIE. Meg always corrects me. My defense is that I tell her it’s intentional. My
D-I-E stands for Division,Inequality,Exclusion. DIE (die) leads to death for democracy!
I think Professor Stanley is not seeing or hearing about the many protests around the country, which includes thousands of newly fired government staff members, where many of the signs and speeches mention monarchy and fascism. I agree with professor Stanley that these are treasonous attacks on democracy by fascists, and the silence and inaction he notes is from our politicicians and courts. The current administration ignores it all and appears to be getting away with it all. Somehow, I hope with all my might, that they will get their drastic comeupance, especially when even more people are harmed by their tactics and policies.
Thank you for taking us back to the outright discrimination throughout our country, which continues to this day in the hearts and minds of too many of our "patriotic" citizens.
Yes, I miss those dressing up norms, even if in those days, dressing up might have meant uncomfortable garters, girdles, fragile stockings and pinchy high heels for women and dreaded suits, spiffy hats and stiff shoes for men. There was pride in looking special after a week of regular clothes. Now, casual dress, in my opinion, has gone a bit too far.
A re-engergized St-k was just on TV spewing her venom in an effort to run for governor. Her ambition is boundless.
I feel commenting on Ms. Wilson's picture needs to be its own comment. What a classy lady! Her family deserves to be so very proud of her. She shows what it is to be a true lady.
And the opposite of my comment about Ms. Wilson! Its no surprise that the Republicans are praising & "honoring" Mr. Tanski - he DOES belong in the Repubs "hall of shame" just like many others.
Just an amazing story, Ken! In 1981, my first Navy ship, upon which I had been a Plankowner in the fall of 1978, made an enjoyable weeklong visit for Mobile's Mardi Gras. [I even remember the temporary landline we received, 205-432-1565.] Their celebration is older and some consider more authentic than the better-known one in New Orleans.
We experienced nine parades in six days (I wondered where they stored all that stuff during the rest of the year), and our Sailor of the Year (a Delaware native who also happened to be Black) received a Key to the City from the mayor. Kool and the Gang's "Celebrate" was on the pop charts then, and a local TV station aired bars from it at every program break. We had two young crew members from the area (one was from Fairhope) and they were on the front page of the local paper!
Our ship, like the other 30 in its class, was built by Litton Industries in nearby Pascagoula, MS so it was a familiar environment for most of us. [Right after the 1978 commissioning we did have a fun visit to the French Quarter in New Orleans, where I was fortunate to have been able to follow another shipmate who was raised there around to his favorite raw clam bar and other attractions.]
When we later went back to Mississippi for a shipyard update, we were able to do a side trip to Bellingrath Gardens in Theodore, AL. I was extremely impressed with their sunken courtyard just inside the entrance, where they had created as a centerpiece a large floral rendition of the American Legion's emblem.
Having grown up here upstate in the 1960's, I had tended to blame the South for many of our nation's social ills. I was glad that during my 11 years in the Navy (mostly out of Norfolk, VA) I received a more balanced perspective.
It turns out that Mobile was a little more ahead of the curve when it came to ending segregation and had one of the first integrated police forces in the 1950s. During my visit, I not only visited the Battleship Alabama but also Bellingrath Gardens where they had a beautiful evening lantern show going on. Ironically, my father was looking forward to visiting Mobile for a reunion with shipmates in 2002 when he passed away in December 2001.
That's good to hear. When we were in nearby Pascagoula, Mississippi we were told to stay away from a particular local veterans club because they were dominated by racists. It's sad that your dad didn't get to attend his reunion; I had a similar situation with mine when he died in 1983. I had gotten in touch with a reunion organizer for his LST-1024 when they were planning an event in St. Louis. As a 31-year-old active-duty sailor at the time, I would love to have had the opportunity to address his crew!
Dressing to go anywhere was part of the social contract in the 50s and 60s. I am white, I grew up in Queens and I remember that you didn’t go to any social engagement without looking your best.
As a child, this made me feel really special. Getting dressed for the movies was like getting to be a little adult. Your article reminds me that this experience was marred by people who did everything they could to make people of color feel like they were less than.
I appreciate the poise which that woman and child approached such hatred and wonder if I could’ve been so self-possessed in a similar situation.
I also remember old photos of baseball games from the 1950s with men in jackets and ties.
I remember meeting and talking with Gordon Parks at a reception at St Lawrence. Some of his photos were on display. It continues to be a cherished memory.
Now, that is really cool.
...beautiful Theater; excellent sleuthing; poignant and sensitively written piece; we search the past-- trying to understand where -and who- we are: as individuals, as Americans, and as homo "sapien". / "The two are pictured on a balmy summer afternoon standing in front of a movie theater..." --not, as it turns out, "in front of"-- but at the side entrance of, as we now know: thanks to an attention to detail, a passion for accuracy, and an adherence to pursuing and imparting truth, however unpleasant and threatening it may be, wherever it leads us to...
When I asked about the photo several times around the theater, I sensed a suspicion about my motives that I thought a little weird.
“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
Get up, stand up!
Another good read. If Fox is any indication to what E. may have been thinking, it's who is paying these people posing as protesters. All kinds of accusations about the dirty $$ involved. I shake my head and applaud Indivisible as well as members of the Light Brigade.
When you stand on a blustery bridge in the middle of winter - as the Light Brigade has done repeatedly - there isn't enough money to pay anyone to do that. It is about standing up for what they believe.
As one of the protestors during Elises last fundraiser, I can testify that I got $0.
But the radical right would call that a lie.
The shakier their stance becomes, the more outrageous their replies.
It shows dignity,even when being appressed,wonderful article an memory
Just was in your area new Orleans
Went to your son's museum
Although he doesn't really own it
Also the Whitney plantation
Have you seen that
My son would be the first to tell you he doesn't own it, but he does have a big responsibility in designing the tours. Hope you got to take one. He steps in from time to time there as well. I was at Oak Alley years ago, but am not familiar with Whitney plantation.
No it was just a visit
Maybe when I come through again I'll take a tour
Like any other wrong perpetrated on one group of people by another group of people it is vital very important to
NEVER FORGET!
So there's an Executive Order floating out there which scares the bejesus out of me:
"Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History"
(https://www.oah.org/2025/03/31/statement-on-executive-order-restoring-truth-and-sanity-to-american-history/)
I have to wonder whether theater signs like this are endangered exhibits. And even if they aren't, we have to fight for them like they are indeed endangered.
There were also small school buildings in NYC which had embedded signs such as "Colored School No.5".
Absolutely. Watch what happens at the Smithsonian closely, specifically the new African American museum in DC.
Thanks for the interesting piece on the Mobile AL photo. Lest we forget! (Also, lest we forget de facto segregation in the north).
As to your Medicare/Medicaid mixup, mine is with DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion). I often say DIE. Meg always corrects me. My defense is that I tell her it’s intentional. My
D-I-E stands for Division,Inequality,Exclusion. DIE (die) leads to death for democracy!
It is important to look at history through personal accounts and vivid detail. Thank you for exploring your connection to that captured moment.
I think Professor Stanley is not seeing or hearing about the many protests around the country, which includes thousands of newly fired government staff members, where many of the signs and speeches mention monarchy and fascism. I agree with professor Stanley that these are treasonous attacks on democracy by fascists, and the silence and inaction he notes is from our politicicians and courts. The current administration ignores it all and appears to be getting away with it all. Somehow, I hope with all my might, that they will get their drastic comeupance, especially when even more people are harmed by their tactics and policies.
Thank you for taking us back to the outright discrimination throughout our country, which continues to this day in the hearts and minds of too many of our "patriotic" citizens.
Yes, I miss those dressing up norms, even if in those days, dressing up might have meant uncomfortable garters, girdles, fragile stockings and pinchy high heels for women and dreaded suits, spiffy hats and stiff shoes for men. There was pride in looking special after a week of regular clothes. Now, casual dress, in my opinion, has gone a bit too far.
A re-engergized St-k was just on TV spewing her venom in an effort to run for governor. Her ambition is boundless.
Sorry about the many typos.
I feel commenting on Ms. Wilson's picture needs to be its own comment. What a classy lady! Her family deserves to be so very proud of her. She shows what it is to be a true lady.
There is much more to her story. She really gave back to the community the rest of her life.
I dont doubt that at all!
And the opposite of my comment about Ms. Wilson! Its no surprise that the Republicans are praising & "honoring" Mr. Tanski - he DOES belong in the Repubs "hall of shame" just like many others.