E-Vangel Newsletter
February 11, 2013
Pastorgraphs: “A Living Legend”
[During this, the tenth year of the E-Vangel Newsletter, I will
reprise a few of the early Pastorgraphs. Today’s Pastorgraph is from
February 22, 2005, with minor edits. I mentioned my experience at
Rosedale High yesterday in Integrity Academy, and in my recent book. That
experience would not have been possible without the help of Dr. J. Y. Trice,
Rosedale’s mayor, pastor, educator, and legendary Mississippi Delta grassroots
political leader. A little over a year ago, at age 90 the Cleveland-Bolivar
County Chamber of Commerce honored Dr. Trice for having made a significant
lifetime contribution to the life and economy of the Mississippi Delta. I met
Dr. Trice in my senior year at Delta State (1969-70). He changed my life for
the good.]
Dr.
J. Y Trice is a Renaissance man, a Great Mississippian: educator, minister,
statesman, and enabler. I will never forget the contribution he made to my
life.
It
was spring semester 1970 at Delta State, my senior year. I was completing my
Bachelor of Science in Education degree, and this was my semester for student
teaching. The Dean called me to his office. I knew he had either very good or
very bad news. “William,” he began, “we have a special request to ask you. We
want you to do your student teaching at Rosedale High.” Without saying another
word, I knew what the Dean was asking of me. You see, Rosedale High was 100%
African-American. This was 1970, and most schools in Mississippi had not yet
integrated, delaying the inevitable as long as possible. I would be the only
Anglo among all the students and faculty at RHS that semester.
Rosedale
sits near the Mississippi River, about half way between Memphis and Vicksburg
in Bolivar County. I know Rosedale well. It is a lovely town, almost lost in
time; a throwback to the best of the Old South. Ante bellum homes adorn the
city, cotton fields are still a major presence, magnolias line the roadways,
and no one seems to be in too much of a hurry, especially in the hot
Mississippi Delta sun.
In
one moment, the whole “civil rights movement” became very personal. In a
strange twist, it looked like I was going to “integrate” Rosedale High. I had
observed from far too close the slayings of three civil rights students near
Philadelphia, MS, and the assassinations of Medgar Evers in Jackson and Martin
Luther King in Memphis. I had seen some of my fellow students stage “sit ins”
to protest the war in Vietnam, blocking the college President from his office.
Heck, I was no activist. I just wanted to “live and let live”.
My
student teaching at Rosedale turned out to be one of the best things that ever
happened to me, thanks to Dr. Trice, who, as Superintendent of Education, took
me under his arm, smoothing the way, expecting the students and faculty to
treat me with respect. They did. I only wish every student teacher could have
had a Dr. Trice.
In
another venue, a small black girl singly integrated a school in the Deep South
amid the daily insults of white segregationists. Escorted to school by the
National Guard, she looked down at the ground as she entered the school each
day. One day, she stopped and looked up before continuing into school. A newspaper
reporter, following the sensational story, asked the little girl why she looked
up. “Every day as I go to school, I look down, because I am praying for all
those people who hate me so much. Today, while I was praying, I heard God say
‘Look Up’. I looked up, and saw Jesus with his arms outstretched, and I knew
everything was going to be alright.” Then she said, “I just wish those people
who say such ugly things to me would just look up, and see Jesus, and know
everything is going to be alright.”
Thank
you, Dr. Trice, for helping me “look up”. I will think of you as I return this
week (February 2005) to Yazoo City High School, my alma mater, and address the
students and faculty in the New South…new, and better, because of leaders like
The Rev. Dr. (Mayor) J. Y. Trice. And the little girl was correct; things are
(finally) turning out alright!
Pastor
Bill
From the
Quote Garden:
“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby
commend the distinguished and laudable service and contributions of Dr. Juniper
Yates (J.Y.) Trice to the State of Mississippi, acknowledge him as a living legend and
extend most sincere wishes for continued success in all of his future
endeavors.”
~ HR28, 2010 ~
“Integrity
Academy”
REMINDER: “Integrity Academy” will continue for two more Sundays in
February at 9:00 to 9:45. This Sunday’s topic will be: “Your Character: Why You
Do What You Do!” We will look at the role of habits, motives and moral fiber in
building your character and integrity. You are invited to attend, and learn how
to begin your journey to a life of integrity, happiness and success. Those who
complete the course will receive a “Certificate of Integrity” and The Integrity
Toolkit. For details call the church office (619) 284-9205 or respond to this
email.
Christ United Methodist Ministry
Center
“Christ
in the Heart of San Diego”
3295
Meade Avenue - San Diego, CA 92116 - (619) 284-9205
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