ESTHER COOPER JACKSON AT 101: THE STORY CONTINUES

As I highlighted in my earlier blog post, Esther Cooper Jackson 101, Esther Cooper Jackson is an impressive woman who was on the front lines in the throes of the civil rights movement. She spearheaded the esteemed publication Freedomways, which for nearly a quarter of a century showcased the talents and beliefs of prominent African American writers, artist and theorists.

Our engaging conversation was enriched with casual mention of some of the historical giants we associate with these times. Here are a few of Esther’s memories.

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Many of the planning meetings for Freedomways took place at the home of Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois and Shirley Graham Du Bois, two of Esther’s closest friends and colleagues. At the time, they lived at 31 Grace Court, Brooklyn. The Du Bois’ were able to afford their lovely home because its previous owner — playwright Arthur Miller — set it at an affordable price. Miller was an ardent supporter of Dr. Du Bois’ work, and when he was ready to sell his home, he made it possible for the couple to be the purchasers.

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In the course of our conversation, Esther mentioned some of the impressive people who were part of her life. Several times, she referenced actor, singer and activist Paul Robeson. In 1942, Esther was instrumental in persuading Robeson to participate in a Southern Negro Youth Congress (SYNC) conference in Tuskegee, Alabama. Although Robeson had a strict policy to avoid performing in the South because of the segregation of the audiences, he was amenable to participate in an event that was designed to bring black and white youth together.

Esther remembers the magic of that evening.

“Hundreds of people came out to fill the auditorium. They were farmers, steel workers, coal miners, and others. There was no segregation or arrests that night. It was a historic event.”

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In February 1968, Esther was among the organizers of a celebration for the 100^th birthday of Dr. Du Bois. The special guests at this Carnegie Hall event included Dr. Martin Luther King and James Baldwin. Freedomways published a photo of Dr. King and Mr. Baldwin, which was the only known picture that the two took together. Sadly, following this celebratory evening, Dr. King headed to Memphis, where he was assassinated two months later.

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Esther shared wonderful stories about the union meetings for mine and steel workers that were led by her husband James (Jack) Jackson and Pete Seeger. When they came out on stage, Jack carried Seeger’s guitar. The audience knew that there were two featured guests, one black and one white. One was an orator and the other a musician. The general assumption was that the white man would speak and the black man would perform. The audience was always caught off guard when Jack handed the instrument to Seeger and stepped up to the podium to begin his speech.

Esther remained personal friends with Pete Seeger throughout his life.

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In 1964, Esther received a letter from Michael Schwerner, a young, white, civil rights activist from New York who was working in the South. Michael wrote to request ten copies of Freedomways for a library he was setting up in Meridian, Mississippi. Before Esther had the opportunity to acknowledge her delight in offering this contribution to the library, there was news of Michael’s disappearance. He had been in Philadelphia, Mississippi, along with James Chaney and Andrew Goodman, to register African Americans to vote. They had been murdered, and it took nearly two months before their brutalized bodies were found.

Following their murders, Esther spent time with Andrew’s mother and corresponded with Michael’s father.

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On August 26, 2017, an illustrious group of activists and scholars gathered to celebrate Esther’s 100^th birthday. The event was held at the W.E.B. Du Bois Research Center at The Hutchinson Center for African and African-American Research at Harvard University.

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Despite her many accomplishments, Esther remains humble. She is absolutely tickled to learn that I was able to find a copy of her biography, James and Esther Cooper Jackson: Love and Courage in the Black Freedom Movement, in my local library. She is delighted that young people periodically stop by to meet her. She is genuinely interested in hearing others’ opinions: while speaking with her, she frequently responds, “Ah yes … I can see what you mean.”

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Although she is disturbed about the pervasive racism and negativity in our country today, Esther Cooper Jackson is mindful of all that has been accomplished during her lifetime. In the early 1900s, she was raised in segregated Arlington, Virginia. In 2008, she had the opportunity to cast her ballot for an African American man for President of the United States.

Still, so much more needs to happen. Esther’s life serves as a model for how change occurs. Her unwavering determination and unrelenting courage inspire us to continually chip away at the injustice and work towards a society that is more respectful and humane.

(The black and white photos are Jackson photographs that appeared in James and Esther Cooper Jackson: Love and Courage in the Black Freedom Movement.)