Helmsley Lecture Series; Myrlie Evers: Black Power And Democratic Coalition

Good evening ladies and gentlemen my name is Ron Walters I'm chairman of the African Afro-American Studies Department. And I'm very privileged to uh, be able to introduce our speaker tonight. But before I do I'd like to, um let you know that this talk tonight is part of the homely- Helmsley lecture series. And then it's made possible through the generosity of the Harry B. Helmsley lecture fund. Uh the fund is a series which is designed uh. To reduce the barriers that separate the races creeds and nationalities and therefore to make some impact on social problems. As I said I'm especially pleased to have had this opportunity. Most of you probably don't know but I got my particular start in. What we loosely define as the struggle. Through the NAACP out of the dusty plains of Kansas uh in the 1950s. And I can remember very vividly as a member and finally President of the youth chapter of the NAACP there.

The very fine example of courage under fire. Which we derive from the life. And from the example. Of brother Medgar Evers. Therefore with a great sense of respect that I'm able to present you tonight Mrs. Merley Evers an individual who is through her own courage and strength. Been able to carry on that tradition of fine leadership just looking at the many activities she's been engaged in I find it amazing that she's been able for example to. Raise three children. She has finished a degree in sociology 1968. She went back to school. She's been an author. Her book for us the living. Is a portrayal of the Civil Rights Years between 1954 and 1960.She's on the board of

trustees at Tougaloo College and works um for an educational center which is part of the five state system. In Southern California. Many of you know that she recently ran for political office in the 24th district Southern California. Head was bloody but as I understand not unbowed. And in typical fashion she is resolved to carry on the struggle for. Equality. And citizenship. Works for the NAACP also in the fine tradition of Medgar Evers and is here with you tonight. To talk about black politics. And the Democratic coalition. If someone gave me a mission for humanity and they said pick someone courage with courage and humility. I would have to pick.

Mrs. Evers (applause) (applause) Thank you very much and I am indeed pleased to. Be on the campus of Brandeis University and to have had the opportunity to meet so many students and to be so warmly received. There was something of a mix up I might say with. The title of the remarks that I was to make tonight and in finding that there had been a mix up I talked to some students and instructors about some of the programs that you have here. Namely the black studies program and I'm delighted to see that Brandeis has been able to set an example that I think many other colleges throughout the

nation could follow. But I have been in recent months very closely related to and involved in. Politics. I have been in the political arena. I did not win the congressional seat that I was seeking but I would like to make one correction. In the introduction. The head really was not blooded. I might say that the oppositions was. And it came as something of a surprise to them because it was the first time in 18 years. In that area. That they had had to work. Had to put out money and had to fight. And I will say this. That Myrlie Evers

head. Is high. I'm proud of. All of those who worked and supported us feel the same way and I hope in my remarks that I'll be able to explain to you why. But I cannot help but say now. That that was only the beginning. Of being in that political arena. And I found that once being in. You do continue to hear that bell. And it means that you come out fighting again. That is if you believe strongly enough. In what you are working and fighting for. So all I can say. Is watch out. That you'll be hearing more. About that political career. I don't feel that one have to be very radical or. Really

very scholarly to come to the conclusion that. Our American democratic system isn't working too well. One need only refer to a few items for at least six years we've been involved in a very cruel and a senseless war The people of this country have said clearly that they did not want that war to expand yet it expanded the people said they wanted it to end. It has not ended. The people have indicated over and over again that they are imposed to inflation but prices continue to go up. People have said over and over again that they want an end to pollution. We continue to pollute with very little action. People have clearly indicated that they want.

An end and an end now to discrimination and to intolerance and this too continue. I think it's safe to say that people as a whole want an effective arms control. We've had none and it might also be safe to say that many would like to see a limit on some of our other commitments. I think it's pretty clear that we can also say that the consumer wants protection and I can go on and on with other items but very few of these things are really coming about. And I think with what we thought happened on the 3rd of November we have come to realize that perhaps those people who watch television

and not quite as ignorant and blissfully stupid as many think that they are that they are concerned and that they indeed will make up their own minds as to how they are going to vote. What we all agree I think that changes need to be made that changes need to be made so that we can explore so that we can see if that the American system that we hear so much about really can be improved if it can be improved to the point where this American dream that we hear so much about is no longer a myth but that it becomes

a reality. Perhaps Thomas Wolf put it best when he said to the seekers of America that American dream that in this country a man could work could be could become whatever his manhood would allow him to do and be. And we have found that it has not worked out that way. And there are those who say it never can. But there have been those who have given their lives time and effort and say yes it can be improvements can be made. And those people both minorities who have been denied that right. To really come in fit into that

so-called mainstream of American life can do so but with our ever increasing awareness. There is lots of questioning as to which is the right way to go about solving some of the problems that we have and how can we as disadvantage and I put that word in quotes because the word disadvantage not only applies to minority groups but it applies to all Americans who don't have the chance to work to learn and to build together. But how can we best come together and bring about the changes that are so needed in American life today.

Yes we have watched with interest many of us have participated participated in activities that started out that worked extremely well in trying to bring human decency. To bring justice and fair play to all mankind. We took part in the very beginnings of some of the very beginnings in Mississippi. We saw this movement spread throughout the south. We saw the approach of nonviolence spring forth and we saw progress but slow and painful and with a tremendous price being paid by so many people for what

seemed to be so little. And then the restlessness the restlessness of the youth who pointed a fingers at adults and said if you had done what you should have done all along the way it wouldn't fall to our responsibility to try to straighten things out. And those young voices who cried out for freedom and justice now. And then we found with those promises not being kept that their dream festered It became a sore and it boiled over. And I think that it's been a sad commentary on America. American life. Those in power and those of us who say we care and who have committed that we find that we in this country are not prompted to

move to action until we are really forced to do so. The money the quick programs that are poured into areas in order to keep people calm for summer. Or Band-Aids with hope of keeping things quiet for a while longer. And we have seen the various factions break off and those who say that violence is the only way to get the changes that are necessary and those who say no it can come peacefully. And those of us who are searching for other ways and think that perhaps just perhaps there might still be hope

through changes in our political system. There has been an ever increasing awareness of the need among minorities to try to get the strength and the power that's necessary to be able to lift themselves up and that that is coming through political means and through the power of a different kind that green power. I was asked a question by a reporter just shortly ago. If I felt that perhaps things were moving faster that more gains were being made. Political gains were being made in the South than they are in other parts of the nation.

I can't be exactly sure about that but I do know one thing that with my going back home every other month of my being constantly in touch with what's going there. The politics involvement office thinking will be something to watch and accomplishments will be made there. There have been many frustrating experiences among blacks who have aspired for political office with some of the things the problems the obstacles that are facing them. Not only that of money not only that of Gerrymanded districts but many other things as well. And I'd like to share with you

just a few moments some of my experiences in trying to get into that political arena. I was approached in the middle of March and asked if I would run for Congress in the 24th congressional district in California. That's an area Los Angeles County. It's about 40 miles from one end to the other which is quite a monster which tried to get around and campaign in. When I was asked if I would do this I found myself overcome with laughter because I simply couldn't see why anyone would ask me to run in a district like that. It had been my home for some 6 years but let me give you a few of the statistics. It's a population there of about 500,000 people

the black population is 3%. The Mexican-American percent is about 4 It's an area that is strongly Republican. As a matter of fact the Democratic registration the 37% And then there was the other fact that along with it being ultra conservative that it's somewhat of a home and a haven for the John Birch Society for the Minutemen and I said why on earth me? Of course there were lots of reasons given to me. Your qualifications. People know you. You're committed you can do a job. Thats nice to hear. But I also realize somewhere that it was an area that no other Democrat wanted

to tackle. I took it on and I took it on for a number of reasons. One that it was a challenge. Secondly there were things that needed to be done in that area. It's an area where you can find anything that you would like to. One of the richest towns in America. San Marino is in that area. You can find some of the best schools there you can find some of the poorest. You can find extremely well-to-do people. You can also go into some pockets of that area. And you find young children who are running around without decent clothes without shoes, with their lil stomachs bloated And it reminds you somewhat of the pictures that you see or that you saw

of children in Biafra. You find a great deal of unemployment there. But you find find. That those people those minorities who are trying so hard to lift themselves up to improve their quality of life have very little way of doing so. The jobs really aren't available to them. And they have to go miles and miles into Los Angeles to try to find a livelihood. And then when they do most of the money that they make is spent in transportation back and forth. And then with those areas that are so neglected. It's reaching the point where the lid is just about to boil

off. Something needs to be done. All of the people of that area need to be represented. And just not a few. And then there was another reason that around this campaign it would be a chance. Yes for the Democratic Party as such to really get on the ball again because they have not had anyone to win in 18 years. And as a result of that. Had simply given up and said it's no need of doing anything. You simply put a token candidate up, let the name be on the ballot and let it go at that. And I said that will never do. Not here that we will work and try to build a structure and it also serve another purpose and

that's one of being able to present to those people who have been forgotten those who were neglected or those who were beginning to lose faith and had little or no hope a chance to pull together to unify and to build a base from which to spring from for other elections that were going to take place in the local areas. And yes there were many problems involved with that. And I must say that color was one. Because there were people who really didn't say anything about it. But the looks said it. A few who murmured the campaign literature that was put out and there believe it or not was also the problem even more so perhaps of being a woman.

I've been asked where I stand on the women's liberation movement but that was one area in which I found. I had the most difficulty. But this was an area that had been gerrymanded for one particular party one particular group. That was the problem of trying to get money in which to reach the people of that district. The figure that given on the amount of money that necessary to have a campaign, a congressional campaign, an aggressive congressional campaign is $100000. We fell far short of that. But in all it turned out to be a campaign. A grass root campaign. Or people coming together working, putting in time, and

effort. But that's just the brief story of one black person trying to win an office. Or trying to get to Washington so that one voice. Could perhaps make some changes. That one person caring and committed could help to improve the quality of life for others. And there are many more who ran this year. There will be many more who will continue to run because as I have traveled from one end of the country to another. As I have found groups, disenchanted groups of both blacks, whites, and browns are searching for some answer. For some way that we as individuals and as groups can

make some const- some constructive changes. It has eventually come around to being politically active whether running for office or not. And one of my greatest concerns in all of this. And it boils down to one thing when we ask ourselves what kind of world, what kind of country do we really want? It boils down to how much are you willing to give to make it what you want. There is too much apathy among us. There are too many of us who are willing to point a finger and to accuse and who are not willing to work to try to bring back our try to bring about constructive changes. I was

asked by someone why is it that you think there are not too many black people participating in Earth Week in Earth Day. Why is it that they don't seem to be interested in protecting our environment? Why is it they aren't interested in doing something about pollution? Those people who are interested about doing something about pollution they're interested about the health of themselves and their children when they are living in rat infested homes. When they have boarders. by the thousands in terms of roaches and other insects about the garbage that's piled up. Yes but they're also interested in doing away with

another kind of pollution as well and that the pollution of minds in America today. That that we have seen coming down from people in high office those who have promised to bring us together. Who have merely caught us by the backs of our neck brought us to together all right. With heads clashing. Yes. Interested in doing away with that kind of pollution too. But when we get down to all of it we do have a choice. And I'm the understand from someone that perhaps we have more than one and we can have a choice. A revolution. A choice of repression. A choice

of reform. And it's left up to us as to which we will have and again. For those who have been disturbed about our environment. Those who have been disturbed about Kent State and Jackson State. Those who have been concerned about living conditions of people. And then we find when there is a chance to really work to dig in. And yes do some of that not so glamorous work. That as soon as the sky's clear we find our way to the beaches. We find our way to the ski resorts. We find our way to the Country Clubs and the golf courses.

What kind a world. What kind of America do we want. Is it really like to be what was been predicted or what has been predicted by some of the experts that this era of the 70's will be a time in which Americans will have become so accustomed to violence. So accustomed to murder and assassinations, so accustomed to the sufferings of other human beings that it simply becomes a way of life. We lose all interest in caring and wrap ourselves totally and completely in our own needs and our own wishes. Is that what we are to become? A nation that looking for one thing. For escape? That was one word that

came forth to me time and time again the first of the year. Every magazine, every newspaper that you would pick up you could look at the advertisement and see one word escape. The airlines jumped on board and they used the word escape, escape to Honolulu Escape where have you. the bird with the golden tail. The dress designers also jumped on board they designed clothes to escape in. Some went so far as to say that why not have NO clothes to escape in. Use body paint and the theme reoccurring over and over again. Was escape. And not meaning to sound like the voice of

doom. But it is something that we as individuals, as a groups must realize that the destiny of all of us rests in our hands. That those groups. Who have not received fair treatment those who are trying to pull themselves up. Those who are interested in trying to help his fellow man. Must realize that it takes involvement. It takes dedication it takes commitment to work to plug in to continue to do that even when it no longer seems

glamorous. Even when you are turned away. That it's only through pursuing those goals that accomplishment really comes. No amount of legislation no amount of money that can be appropriated can really do the job for for Americans. We as a whole will have to do that. And in searching for answers and for ways with this system that we have that needs to be changed that needs to be improved

upon. We do have the method. We do have the Strength. If only we will use it. Let's turn to ourselves and get the job done. It can be done. We must do it. Thank you very much. (applause) [host]: Mrs. Evers will now entertain Some questions uh generally on the subject of politics. Anything else you care to ask. Any questions? The question was what percent of the district did I win?

We won 34.5% of the vote. The Democratic registration as I said is 37 percent. That's the largest percentage that any Democrat has been able to win in 18 years as an overall picture it might seem to be a small uh, percentage of the vote. But for that particular district it was extremely uh well it was extremely high amount of the vote. (Applause) And I might say without any money. (laughs) Well let me answer that by saying I think that the pol- uh black political machine as such uh, is in the process of really uh, Searching and trying to find which way that

it should go from this point. There is great dis-uh, enchantment with both the Republican and the Democratic Party uh parties uh. There have been a number of meetings black politicians throughout the country to try to come together. take an in-depth look at what's happening and to see if it's really feasible to try to form another party of their own or party with the young people or party with the poor people uh just where they should move from here on out and that's something that hasn't been decided yet and I don't know if it will be even by 72. Yes. Well for one thing scattered throughout the country black politicians are just beginning to come into their own. Uh

It's something that is relatively new of this particular period in American life and uh, it's just the beginning of unification and a really working to build uh sl-. Slates of which they can work from and support from. There will be one uh, interesting year in Mississippi next year when every office I believe is up for grabs. And uh there is a slate being worked on now but the emphasis in the black community has usually been or at least through this period of time of registering and voting! Simply that. And now the emphasis is going deeper than that of not only registering and getting out and voting but also putting up your own candidates as well. And I think we'll continue to see this develop, uh, as time moves along.

I have to disagree with you, uh slightly there because I don't feel neces- that its necessarily so that the blacks vote on the local issues the same way as the other part of uh the populace does. One of the problems. Involved here. Is that black people for so long have felt that their vote really isn't going to make a difference one way or the other and they don't come out in numbers necessarily to vote on local issues but they will come out for the national issue than the national candidates. I found that to be so more than the other. In my election where the white people stand? Of course

I had to have had support to get uh, percentage that I did bed- because My district only has 3% uh, black, uh, black population uh. So quite a bit of that had to be white vote. Yes I did have a great deal of uh support among both Democrats and some Republicans. It was a first in that particular area where a black person had run. Was something of a novelty at first it took quite a bit of doing of going around and talking to groups both friendly and hostile. Uh, in order for them to see the candidate so they could realize that you would not bite that kind of thing because they were Suspicious. Many of them were but there were also those who gave me a great deal of support and I must say that in this

campaign we had uh. People from all ethnic groups, were from the 3 groups and we also had young people from uh the elementary school level through the senior citizens who were also working. But it was something new for that district it hadn't happened before. And had been an adjustment for many of the people. Some of the campaigning was uh racist. of sort Sort on the other part such as the telephone campaigns that the place of calling and saying a vote for Myrlie Evers is a vote for the Black Panthers um and they used a few other things along with color. But uh. As a whole I had to have some support there in the support that I did have was strong. Question was Have I held an elective office before? No this was my first

time in running for an elective office. Are you referring to being elected to an office in between the time I run again? Well. There possibly would be some other other office open. But I will say this I intend to be involved in California politics uh whether I am in an elective office or not until '72. Because as you might know uh. The California district will be redistricted. They will be changed. We will have 5 additional districts added to what we already have. And there is the possibility of uh running uh, for Congress or some other office again. I have no plans to run off and jump into another campaign right now I'm still recuperating from the last one. But I will be involved and actively involved uh, so that

I can maintain the base that I have for the next time around. Yes, mhmm I'd be delighted to. (laughs) My opponent. Is a man who was the number two man of the John Birch Society a few years ago. His name is John Russalo. He had run for Congress in another district and had won a few years ago and served one term. Uh He is best known for his affiliation with uh, with the John Birch Society in that area. He was the opponent and uh, had a very very well financed campaign. And I must say one thing about him however he was smart

in the sense that he had nothing but the nicest of things to say about me. It was always dear sweet gentle wonderful Mrs. Evers was doing a very good job at the colleges where she is. She's a wonderful mother for her children. And that's where she should be. Uh (laughs from crowd) The question was. If I can pinpoint one big problem in my district am I right? And what would my solution be? Well let me take the. Perhaps the largest problem of the district at this particular point and that's the unemployment uh, problem. Most of the people. Well a large segment of the population depends on the aerospace industry. Um With the cutbacks that have taken place many of them have been turned off of uh

their jobs. I would uh, I had envisioned using the resources of the federal government along with the uh help and assistance of state and local governments in setting up a kind of reconversion uh plan certainly I don't feel, I hope that we will not be involved in wars. Uh uh For years to come and, uh, we must take into consideration those young men that have come home and those that we hope will continue to come home that will add to the unemployment problem there. No plans have been devised, presented at all to try to turn the space industry into a peaceful uh kind of production instead of a wartime production and I would like to see funds coming into those areas where the plants file reconversion

plans. I have talked to many of the people in the aerospace industry and they have freely admitted that there are ways of using those plants that already, already there that could provide jobs for people. Lets take for instances after airframe housing that would add jobs would also help to eliminate another problem that we have in the District which is housing especially for the poor. Rapid transit which is another big problem in that area that uh there are ways that the aerospace industry could be used to help eliminate that problem uh. but actually boils down to plans being filed by that industry by the various plants and getting aid and assistance from the federal government for instant reconversion which could be worked out almost immediately and that's one of the

areas that uh, I would certainly try to put time and effort into right in the beginning and also to bring in some of those people who live in that area who are simply left out in the cold. As far as getting any job even maintenance jobs in those industries at all. okay Well it couldn't be that many people have gotten lost uh, when they went to Congress uh, simply because they chose to get lost. That uh, perhaps it was something of a personal gain for them. That commitment was not there uh. That they really followed kind of traditional lines in which a freshman congressman. So it's not supposed to be seen

not to speak not to try to present move and look out for the people of his district as well as in his remarks tried to uh, do what one can in words to try to help the trend in which the country is going. I think it depends on the individual. Sure there's a big problem of one person making massive changes and I don't say that that can be done. But I think with someone who is really committed and determined. That a strong voice will be listened to even if it's a freshman voice. And that perseverance can get something done for that particular district. I don't think any one person can come in and uh solve the problems or make a big impact not the way the structure is set up at the time. But there is something that one can do if one will persevere.

If there's a Democratic takeover in '72, what kind of changes will come about? Good question. I really don't know what kind of changes will come about I can't answer that but I do see regardless of whether. It's a Democratic takeover or if the Republicans are still in office that more emphasis will be placed on solving some of the domestic problems. Uh uh, with emphasis being placed there perhaps more so than on foreign matters. What will perhaps if uh the two factions had gotten together in agreement and had the chance to decide on one.

I assume they would have one or the other. Uh that it is a possibility that uh, that vote would have uh, eliminated uh, Mrs. Hicks and they would have had a better representative there. I don't know, again tha-that's a kind of thing that. I think we'll see more exploring or more of happening of a kind of coalition between groups to try to get the best person in. I'm not that familiar with um, the race here but it could well be uh, similar to the one that took place in the California uh congressional seat where the minority community. In the seventh district congressional district which is in Northern California; Berkeley decided that they wanted a black

representative. The person in the office was a white liberal. They were able to work together to the point where they were able to unseat him and get uh, the black uh, candidate in. And came very close to losing that particular uh seat and they would have had a much worse person representing them if this had happened. Uh Fortunately it didn't happen there. But I do see this is a basis for trying to get a kind of coalition going between people to try to decide as to uh the best candidate or the one that uh, the best that can represent them that can really win. Whether it's going to work out I don't know because I see more and more minorities who are determined to

have their own representative there regardless. Or put them up on the ballot regardless of whether they win or not. Yes. The question was What are the possibilities or what do I see as the possibilities of electing a black governor or senator from the state of Mississippi? I'm not quite sure Mississippi is ready for that (laughs) yet but uh The black people of Mississippi are ready for it. Uh they are working on the slate now and uh I'm not quite so sure that uh one of the mayors, black mayors of a town in Mississippi will not be running for governor of the state of Mi- of Mississippi next year. We might look out for that uh. Whether the support uh will be strong enough uh will be one thing.

And it's also something else too even though we work long and hard for registration and voting. And I'm referring here to blacks. That its one thing that has to be done we must keep in mind and that is being registered. is not necessarily the end of it. It's something we've got to learn and that's to get out and vote. To use that vote and if that happens with some uh 40% of the populace being black. And I mean and registered that there might be a good chance of getting a black governor or black senator uh next year. It's going to be interesting to see. Yes. How do I manage to be moderate with what has happened? Well I, first of all I don't consider myself uh, a moderate really uh. I consider myself um.

A militant but a militant of uh, another kind that perhaps we don't uh think of in terms now uh. One who is determined come hell or high water to do to help to improve herself, her children, the lives of her people, and to move out regardless of the cost. And the cost has already, one price it's already been paid but willing yet to go a step further and to do whatever is necessary uh in order to bring that about of course. I do hope that that will be a nonviolent way. And you say you are curious about how I am the way I am with what has happened in my background. I must admit that there are times and there have been times when I have been extremely tempted to strike out

to strike back and I am referring here in violent terms because of what has happened in my family. The h-hatred has been there uh. The loss of faith hope. it's all been there and there are time when things happen across the country to my people and to other people that that little feeling rises up. I'm human. It's there. It always will be there. It makes me more determined to do whatever I can do to help. But the reason I am the way I am and why I have not struck out in violent terms. All of that credit goes to my husband. Medgar Evers who was totally committed who was

dedicated who was beaten, who was shot at and even in the face of all of that knowing that he probably would have to give his life somewhere along the line continued to say that it was all worth it and that the only way to be able to fight the evil was by working was by trying to understand and by bringing people together. That has carried me through and during the times when I felt that I could easily go the other way. I had his three children that were there. That needed guidance, that needed help, that needed assistance in finding their rightful places in America and remembering again what he said that these are my children. I'm working to have a better place for them and for other children.

You teach them to fight. You teach them not to give up. You keep the faith and do it in a way that I can be proud of you.