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Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 81 - No. 25 Omaha, Nebraska
Friday, December 13, 2019
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‘A Lens Through Which All Eyes Could See’ The Life and Legacy of Rudy Smith By Terri L. Crawford, JD “It takes vision of the possibilities to attain new levels of experience. Someone with the courage to live his dreams.” – Les Brown On Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m. at Salem Baptist Church, 3131 Lake St., Omaha will assemble to pay tribute to a remarkable man. A man who documented a substantial body of work and set the standard for Civil Rights photojournalism. A man of vision who saw the world through a unique and compassionate lens, and proved to be a suitable person indeed for such a monumental task. Sight is something we experience with our senses. Vision is deeply embedded in our spirit. Perhaps each of us has had a visceral reaction to a beautiful piece of art, a thunderous theatrical performance, or a brilliant photograph that captured the essence of a moment, searing it into our memory, forever suspended in time. Evoking these feelings in the eyes of the beholder is the goal of every master
craftsmen. Omaha, Nebraska was blessed to have such a master craftsman share his lens and his legacy with us and with the world for generations to come. Rudy Smith was a man of the keenest precision, rivaling the masters of creativity when it came to his legendary photography and civil rights advocacy on behalf of our community. His calling came early, at the tender age of 13, when he was inspired by none other than Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on a fateful date in Denver, Colorado at a National Baptist Convention. Rudy recalled being “mesmerized” by Dr. King’s speech. The experience sparked a flame in him that lasted his lifetime. Through his works and deeds, he served the Omaha community and the world at large, with civil rights activism and photographic genius. Smith was moved to action and joined the NAACP’s Youth Council, eventually becoming president of a seven-state region. He participated in sit-ins, protests, and marches at a time when the battle cry was, “Say it loud I’m black and I’m proud.” During
the 1960s, when the country was experiencing change and segregation was still the rule of the day, Omaha was also transforming. It was in this city that Rudy Smith courageously worked to desegregate a popular amusement park. It no longer exists, but his legacy endures. In 1963, Peony Park, now a HyVee grocery store, was a popular gathering place for young people of all ages. The only problem was that Blacks were not allowed entry into the park. During that summer, civil rights activist Rudy Smith and other community leaders participated in three protests over four days, forcing the desegregation of the park. Such discrimination was illegal under Nebraska law. Peony Park was taken to court, found guilty, and paid a fine. It was a victory for all of us due to the courageous efforts of Smith and other young leaders. Through the NAACP Youth Council, Rudy Smith was challenging desegregation at all levels throughout the city during that decade. Under his leadership, the NAACP Youth Council teamed with the Citizens Coordinating Committee for Civil Liberties (better known as “4CL”), protesting job and housing discrimination. They picketed in front of businesses that refused to hire Blacks, displaying signs that read, “Don’t Buy Where You Can’t Work!” Rudy Smith was instrumental in persuading the Omaha World-Herald to examine its own hiring practices. It employed no African Americans except in menial positions. Smith and other “young lions” dedicated to the struggle gathered
to protest the paper’s pattern and practice of not hiring African American employees. The Herald’s production manager invited Smith and his minister in to talk. He told them he couldn’t control union hiring practices, but he could offer nonunion jobs. Rudy Smith accepted his first position with the World Herald working in the basement as a paper sorter. He continued his employment after graduating from Omaha Central High School in 1963 and during his University of Nebraska at Omaha years. He graduated in 1969 from UNO as the first Black graduate of the School of Communications and was promoted to staff photographer with the World Herald as a result of his hard work and dedication. In addition, Rudy Smith was instrumental in the fight for a Black Studies curriculum and the hiring of more Black faculty and staff at UNO. I am personally effected and eternally grateful as a current graduate adjunct faculty member. Not by happenstance, Smith became a master photographer, capturing photographs from the civil rights movement, helping expose the cruelty of segregation and discrimination to a worldwide audience. This allowed Omaha and America to see the power of those images and how they could hurt, but also heal. Rudy Smith’s photography opened up and exposed the ugly reality of poverty and inequity in our city. During the riots of the 1960s, Rudy Smith stood in an almost biblical display of the spirit of
An Omaha Star Returns The iconic star that graces the Omaha Star building, 2216 N. 24th St., is once again burning brightly and it is a sight to behold. The once beacon of hope has been restored as a symbol of strength and resiliency during this exciting time of revival along the North 24th Street Corridor. Omaha Star Interim Publisher Frankie Jean Williams said the Mildred D. Brown Study Center board of directors worked diligently to restore the star to its original glory. She added, “We hope the star will serve as a reminder to some north Omaha residents, and a notice to others, that our community has a newspaper that is here to tell our stories and share our news. We appreciate the support of our readers and advertisers and look forward to serving the community for many years to come.” If you haven’t driven down to 24th & Lake lately, take a ride and see the beautiful holiday lights that reflect a brilliant glow on this historic area of our city.
House Passes Voting Rights Measure to Restore Portions of Law Gutted in 2015 By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia More than four years after sections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were taken out by the Supreme Court and following four attempts under a House led by Republicans, Rep. Terri Sewell’s (R-Ala.) bill to reinstate voting protections has finally passed.
“Voting is personal to me because it was on the streets of my hometown, Selma, that foot soldiers shed their blood on the Edmund Pettus Bride so that all Americans – regardless of race – could vote,” Sewell, who is African American, wrote on Twitter. “I am so proud the House voted to #RestoreTheVote,” she added. The measure, H.R.
4, passed by a 228187 margin, with all Democrats voting in favor while Sewell and Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick counted as the only Republicans to support the legislation. Many are now calling on the Senate to take up the measure. Rev. Dr. William Barber, the president and senior lecturer of See Voting Rights continued on page 2
Rep. Terri Sewell
Miami magazine!
(Terri L. Crawford, J.D; University of Nebraska Omaha, Department of Black Studies Adjunct Professor; Political Awareness and Involvement Chair, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (OAC); Policy Director League of Women Voters of Greater Omaha.)
New Warden Appointed at Youth Facility Diane Sabatka-Rine, chief of operations for the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS), has announced the appointment of Loretta Wells as the new warden for the Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility (NCYF). Wells will assume her new duties on Dec. 23. Wells comes to the post having most recently served as deputy warden at the Omaha Correctional Center (OCC). Her Wells career started at NDCS in 1996 as a correctional officer at that same facility. Wells was promoted to corporal at CCC-O and then returned to OCC where she served in numerous custody positions. In 1997, Wells became a unit case worker and later transferred to NCYF to assist in opening that facility. Wells also has experience in emergency preparedness, and was responsible for providing training and conducting regular audits for the three Omaha facilities. She also has a background in investigation and intelligence gathering. In 2017, Wells was promoted to the position of deputy warden, the position she has held since then. “Wells brings a significant amount of experience to the position of warden,” noted Sabatka-Rine. “She is someone who has constantly sought increased responsibility and management experience. Wells will be a great mentor for the team at NCYF.” In addition to her work accomplishments, Wells has a bachelor’s degree in general studies with an emphasis on criminal justice from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
Jingle & Mingle Omaha’s LaSharah Bunting One of Miami’s Most Seniors – Influential & Prominent Dec. 22. Black Women by Legacy See In the Village for details.
Isaiah stating, “Send me, I will go.” He ventured into the eye of the storm on North 24th Street while the fires were still burning. No white reporters or photographers wanted the assignment due to the volatile racial undertones exploding in the city. Smith was the only photojournalist present to capture the intensity of the riots with his keen eye, clarity and spirit. His Pulitzer-worthy images were displayed on front pages of newspapers across this country. Rudy Smith, like one of his heroes, challenged the existing state of segregation and injustice, illuminating through his photojournalistic lens a new pathway to racial justice and brotherhood. As Latin is tied to the law, so too was his life tied to that which is excellence. We bid you in Latin “bene factum” (well done), Rudy Smith. A life well lived and well done, true and faithful servant, well done.
Kwanzaa Celebration – Dec. 28. See In the Village for details.