RACE DIVERSITY: BIG RALPH

REVIEW BIG RALPH: REFLECTIONS OF A BLACK POLICE CHIEF
By Dr. Michael L. Clemmons
18 April 1997


Brother Carl:

I've just finished reading your recently published work. Big Ralph: Reflections of A Black Police Chief. I know that it's a disgrace that it's taken me a while to do this. But life's just been crazy. Just as I think I'm about situated to take on a new project I realize that I have to grade papers, or do work for some committee, etc. I also wanted to be sure to take the time to share my reaction with you in writing.

From our recent conversations I am aware that you had some problem with the printer, and as you know, this can be a very sticky process. The work has a nice book cover and the "Foreword” by your sister (Big Ralph's wife) is a particularly nice touch. She must be especially proud that you have done this work on her husband. I, too, am proud of all of your hard work. We both know that writing is a process that takes a great deal of time and energy, but in the end, it's all worth it, despite the critics! We also know that we need to do more of the recording and analysis of our own history and experiences.

The introductory chapter does a good job of laying out the historical context of Big Ralph's experience. The matter of the historical development and conditions of Black people in the U.S. without question affected his legacy. You deal with some very key and "sensitive issues. It is indeed important that Black scholars take a critical look at the nature and quality of Black leadership. I think this is one of the keys. You'll recall that in the final days of the planning for the Million Man March there was much controversy generated in the media regarding who would be there and who would not, and why and why not. As usual the media played a very divisive role and attempted to make some fairly powerful suggestions to viewers about who was "the leader of Black people (historically Whites have had great influence in the "selection" of Black leadership). But the Million Man March, I believe, reflected a breakthrough for Black politics. There was a spirit and acceptance among the brothers there that in fact there are differences of opinion among Black leaders, which if properly channeled, could be very productive for the Black community. I think that Black people have moved beyond passivity and are no longer willing to allow Whites to designate a single leader and define our process of political development. I think too that we now realize that there is a spectrum of Black leadership that MUST learn to work together to combat some of the new manifestations of racism, particularly at the institutional level. In my opinion, each has something positive (I hope) to bring to the table: also, the various organizations more or less have their specific areas of expertise, and if this can be effectively coordinated somehow, there could be greater efficiency in the process of Black political and socioeconomic development. The issue of public school integration in my view continues to be a pressing matter. My opinion is that not much, overall, was accomplished in the way integration of public school's following Brown. However, the case was symbolically significant in that the highest court in the land at least expressed the opinion that "separate by equal" was no longer to be the law of the land, I think that enforcement in general of Brown has been fairly lackluster. Although I have not systematically investigated the topic, my impression is that Black people and the public and in general have allowed the issue of school integration to take a back seat in relation to others pertaining to social advancement such as employment, housing, etc. But the fact of the matter is that education has been the "great equalizer" in the U.S. Ironically, it seems that the present national trend toward the establishment of neighborhood or community schools is a low-key move back to the days of Plessey V. Ferguson. We know, of course, that housing patterns in general continues to reflect segregation, so the move to community schools will necessarily have the effect of re institutionalizing segregation. Even though I'm not keen on the idea of my children being bussed, I think that this movement needs to be followed carefully. In many of the Black Belt communities in the Deep South Whites have virtually withdrawn from public schools in order to maintain the long-standing tradition of the region. We'd better keep our eye on this. Also, I think that African Americans need to build more private educational institutions at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. This can ago a long way (assuming success) in Black leadership development and the teaching and learning of Black youth.

I can't really address the theories of Thurgood Marshall since I've read very little of his work. I remember hearing in a recent report that Marshall functioned as somewhat of a "double-agent" back in the days of the civil rights movement. Certainly his role was a sensitive one and he, of course, was very political and ambitious. I've heard some argue that if Marshall had not taken this approach that the impact of the NAACP's legal strategies and his career would have been fairly limited. As you know, J. Edgar Hoover was SOB! I can see these views but I haven't yet come to any firm conclusions about Marshall. I do think it's fair to give him credit for his positive contributions as well, and if nothing else, he was certainly better than Clarence Thomas.

You take a very interesting approach to the examination of the life and times of Big Ralph in that key periods in the history of African Americans provide the backdrop for this biographical work. It is not surprising to me that this work (like some of your other work that I have seen and heard) is generating some controversy, and stirring up emotions in Tennessee, particularly Chattanooga, due to the "sensitive" nature of some of the subjects explored. For example, raising questions about the destruction of the efforts of the Black Panther Party in Chattanooga and the fate of its leader Ralph Moore, as well as the persistently hot topic of the racism prevalent in the Chattanooga Police Department as Big Ralph progressed through the ranks. These issues, in my opinion, are matters that are relatively universal in the Black urban experience. For example the problem of police brutality, racism and discrimination in fire and police departments, particularly in large and medium sized cities is well-documented in the social science literature. Problems at the level of municipal governance are especially telling in regards to the ongoing dynamics of race in the U.S. Your assessment that there has been a decline in the quality of leadership in the department since Big Ralph passed perhaps is striking a chord with too many. Also, I'm not surprised that your assessment of the drug money situation is torching a few nerves.

Those who disagree with your assessment and opinions will frequently try to defame and discredit not only the work, but you personally. For me this is unfortunate because it shuts down the opportunity for the free expression, of ideas and debate. People in general need to learn how to disagree and communicate while facing the truth. I think that some of the reactions that you shared with me are indicative of the general state of race relations. Too many White folk have not yet come to grips with the wretched legacy of slavery, and you and I both know that Black people continue to suffer socioeconomically and politically from the exigencies of "the peculiar institution." And of course, there are Blacks who become frightened and insecure when someone finally has the fortitude to stand up and run a line that is contrary to that promoted by the media and White elites in general. Black people have not yet received from this nation and apology or reparations for the injustices that have been heaped upon us. I think it flows, therefore, that facing the truth (or at least another view) would likely be difficult because so many have learned too simply to believe what they are told by the powers-to-be.

I was glad to hear that you plan to publish a second edition, in the future which would include an index. The service of a copy editor could be especially useful in helping to prepare the index as well as provide general editing of the work. There are some places that could be tightened up some, but another good proofreading would take care of it.

I think that the work may be used in at least a couple of different ways. First, it could be adopted for classroom use by professors who teach courses in local and state (Tennessee) history and politics colleges and universities. The spiritual quality of the work though could turn some people off. Even though the work is biographical, converge of some of the key periods and issues in Black history in relation to Big Ralph's experiences is rather novel and may be an innovative way of capturing students' attention. Moreover, the exposure and treatment of the issue of race and inequality in the work is particularly timely. In my experience, students (White and Black) seem increasingly willing to deal straight up with the matter of race. Most are genuinely concerned about the world and the quality of people relations. Interestingly, and perhaps contrary to popular belief, they are willing to take responsibility for coming up with solutions. However, it seems to me that there is a pervasive sense of powerlessness among people in general and among African Americans in particular, which lends itself to apathy and maybe even despair.

Carl, I trust that you'll find the comments outlined above useful. I think that you've written an important work that can help to shed light on the situations faced in the past, and now by Black people in Chattanooga and throughout the U.S. I am sure that there are many progressive people who will concur with your assessment. Again congratulations!



Peace,
Michael Clemmons