Black power--Michigan--Detroit

Mike Hamlin and Joann Castle Papers

drice — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 15:59:07 -0400

Michael Charles Hamlin was born Oct 17, 1935. He graduated from Ecorse High School and attended the University of Michigan on a scholarship. He enlisted in the Marines, working as a firearms instructor until he was discharged in 1960. He worked as a delivery truck driver for the Detroit News, where he met Kenneth Cockrel and John Watson. He later worked for Wayne State University’s newspaper, “South End.” Mike Hamlin was active in political groups such as the Black Workers Conference. He was a founding member of the League of Revolutionary Black Workers and served as an officer. He also organized the black radical newspaper, “Inner City Voice.”

Joann Carole Castle was born May 30, 1937. In 1957 she married Donald J. Castle, Chairman of the Catholic lay organization Hourglass, with whom she had six children. After their marriage ended in the early 1970s she began attending Wayne State University. Both Hamlin and Castle were active in the Motor City Labor League (MCLL). Hamlin was a founder of the organization and Castle worked for a period as a coordinator. Both attended meetings of the Control-Conflict-Change group of the Ad Hoc Action Group of Concern Citizens.

The papers consist of records from Mike Hamlin and Joann Castle’s involvement in MCLL, largely through the Red Squad files of police surveillance that documented meetings, personal actions and information. The collection also includes articles, clippings and correspondence from the controversy over the Archdiocese Opportunity Program to aid the impoverished in Detroit and the Hourglass group involvement to support self-determination of African Americans in the late 1960s. Joann’s thesis on the Community Health Associations is also included.

H. Merrill Jackson Papers

pneirink — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 08:49:56 -0500

H. Merrill Jackson was a social scientist who had an academic career from the 1950s through the 1990s. In 1953 Jackson conducted research on Vietnamese and African communities while abroad in Paris and Vietnam. From 1969-1970 he performed fieldwork in West Africa and the Caribbean and was a research fellow at the University of Ghana. Jackson joined the faculty at Wayne State in 1970 and taught at Monteith College in the Science of Society Division and with the School of Social Work. This collection contains Jackson’s research on relational theory, social change, folk and urban society, and peasant society. Also well represented is Jackson’s interest in marginalized groups, Black Power, and race relations. The collection also contains fieldwork from his time in Vietnam, France, the Caribbean, and West Africa and documents his pedagogy at Wayne State University’s Monteith College. The collection includes articles and working papers by Jackson; scholarly articles by his contemporaries; manuscript chapters on relational theory and related interviews with Robert Thomas; and course syllabi and lecture notes.

Edward Vaughn Papers

srafferty — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 14:38:26 -0500

Edward Vaughn was a participant in the rise of black consciousness that began to proliferate in the 1960s. He opened Vaughn’s Bookstore in Detroit in 1965, the second black bookstore in America, and it was well known as disseminator of books and information on African American history. Vaughn also became involved in Forum 66, Black Star Co-op Inc., was part of the 6th Pan-African Congress, and a number of other organizations promoting African American culture and Detroit community. Vaughn later became involved in politics at both a city and state level, serving as a Michigan State Representative, Executive Assistant to Mayor Coleman Young, and ran for other office including the Detroit City Council. After retiring from political office Vaughn moved back to his hometown of Dothan, Alabama and became more heavily involved in the NAACP, including serving as President of the Dothan/Wiregrass Branch. Vaughn also spends time writing plays and promoting local theatre.

In Memoriam: Grace Lee Boggs (1915-2015)

eclemens — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 11:56:02 -0400

The Reuther Library mourns the passing of our friend, the incomparable Grace Lee Boggs.

Boggs was a writer, philosopher, mentor, and an outspoken activist for many causes, including civil rights, workers’ rights, Black Power, environmental justice, feminism, and community empowerment. To many, she seemed a force of nature – always working, organizing, teaching, and inspiring others to think critically and improve the world around them. Her philosophies evolved constantly throughout her life, but one thing held true from the beginning to the end: her faith that positive social change was possible if people were willing to work together. read more »

Subject Focus: Black Revolutionaries

eclemens — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:21:12 -0500

The Reuther Library celebrates African American History Month with a brief look at resources in our collections that deal with the topic of Black revolutionaries. We define Black revolutionaries as persons or groups whose goal was to create a positive change in the lives of African Americans through radical action. The means to this end varied from person to person, organization to organization - the action could be carried out with words or through armed conflict, the desired results could be equality for all or separation of races all together. The following resources chronicle the struggle for identity and equality and highlight the rich legacy of social and political activism and reform within the various revolutionary movements. read more »

(27974) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Brown (Al-Amin), Undated

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:55:25 -0500

Jamil Al-Amin (H. Rap Brown), at far left, walks with two other men in what appears to be a bus station.

(27950) Angela Davis, Speeches, Detroit, 1974

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 03:02:18 -0500

Activist Angela Davis participates in a rally at Detroit's Cobo Hall.

(27951) Angela Davis, Speeches, Detroit, 1974

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 03:05:37 -0500

Activist Angela Davis addresses the crowd during a rally at Detroit's Cobo Hall.

(27953) Angela Davis, Speeches, Detroit, 1972

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 03:16:58 -0500

Activist Angela Davis addresses the crowd at an unidentified Detroit rally from behind a screen of bulletproof glass.

(27954) Angela Davis, Speeches, Detroit, 1972

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 03:20:01 -0500

Activist Angela Davis addresses the crowd at an unidentified Detroit rally from behind a screen of bulletproof glass.

(27965) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:49:41 -0500

Police officers surround the National Coalition to Combat Fascism in America's Community Center located at 3376 16th Street (near 16th and Myrtle) during a confrontation between the members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD) and Detroit Police.

The confrontation began when two police officers attempted to issue ordinance violation tickets to two men who were selling newspapers on the sidewalk. The accounts of what happened next vary, however, a fight broke out between the officers and members of the crowd that had gathered, back-up was called for and shots were fired. The result was a nine 9-hour siege involving nearly 100 police officers in which four police cars were destroyed by Molotov cocktails, one police officer was wounded by shrapnel and Patrolman Edward Smith was killed by a shotgun blast to the head. 15 young defendants, seven men and eight women, who had barricaded themselves in the Headquarters were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.

(27955) Angela Davis, Demonstrations, Detroit, 1971

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 03:27:33 -0500

Members of the activist group Detroit Youth Against War and Fascism hold banner that reads "The people will free Angela Davis and Ruchell Mage" during U.S. president Richard Nixon's appearance at Cobo Hall.

(27956) Carmichael (Ture), Political Rallies, Detroit, 1966

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 03:42:48 -0500

Stokely Carmichael (later Kwame Ture), makes an appearance at a "Meet the Candidates Rally" at the Jeffries Homes/Project. The rally was called on behalf of the candidacies of Kenneth V. Cockrel, who was running for state representative of the 11th district, and Rev. Albert Cleage (later Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman), who was running as a Democrat for the 13th district congressional seat.

(27957) Carmichael (Ture), Cleage (Agyeman), Political Rallies, Detroit, 1966

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 03:48:20 -0500

Stokely Carmichael (later Kwame Ture) and Rev. Albert Cleage (later Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman) make an appearance at a "Meet the Candidates Rally" at the Jeffries Homes/Project. The rally was called on behalf of the candidacies of Cleage, who was running as a Democrat for the 13th district congressional seat, Kenneth V. Cockrel, who was running for state representative of the 11th district.

(27958) Cleage (Agyeman), Shrine of the Black Madonna, 1973

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 04:52:04 -0500

The Rev. Albert Cleage (later Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman), political organizer and founder of the Shrine of the Black Madonna, speaks before a crowd at an unidentified event.

(27959) Cleage (Agyeman), Shrine of the Black Madonna, 1962

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 05:03:53 -0500

The Rev. Albert Cleage (later Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman), political organizer and founder of the Shrine of the Black Madonna, poses for a portrait at his desk.

(27960) Agyeman (Cleage), Shrine of the Black Madonna, 1976

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 05:08:48 -0500

Rev. Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman (formerly Albert Cleage), political organizer and founder of the Shrine of the Black Madonna, poses for a Detroit News photographer in front of the Shrine of the Black Madonna Cultural Center and Bookstore.

(27961) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Headquarters, Detroit, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 05:16:45 -0500

An exterior view of the headquarters for the Detroit Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), located at 611 Continental. A banner on second story reads, "National Committee to Combat Fascism."

(27962) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Headquarters, Detroit, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 05:20:19 -0500

An interior view of the headquarters for the Detroit Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), located at 611 Continental. Chuck Holt and Ronnie Irwin sit behind a desk.

(27963) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 09:07:30 -0500

An exterior view of 3376 16th Street, the National Committee to Combat Fascism in America's Community Center, after the confrontation between Detroit Police and members of Detroit's Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD).

Note: Police entering the building wear gas masks and the front window is broken, possibly because canisters of tear gas were used.

(27964) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:42:12 -0500

Police officers and local media swarm outside of the National Coalition to Combat Fascism in America's Community Center located at 3376 16th Street (near 16th and Myrtle). At center, left is newspaper columnist Nadine Brown, who served as an intermediary between the Black Panthers and the Detroit Police during the 9-hour siege.

The confrontation began when two police officers attempted to issue ordinance violation tickets to two men who were selling newspapers on the sidewalk. The accounts of what happened next vary, however, a fight broke out between the officers and members of the crowd that had gathered, back-up was called for and shots were fired. The result was a nine 9-hour siege in which four police cars were destroyed by Molotov cocktails, one police officer was wounded by shrapnel and Patrolman Edward Smith was killed by a shotgun blast to the head. 15 young defendants, seven men and eight women, who had barricaded themselves in the Community Center were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.

(27966) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:59:37 -0500

An unidentified man is arrested during a confrontation between Detroit POlice and members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD).

(27967) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:07:23 -0500

Acting mayor, Mel Ravitz (at center), addresses the crowd gathered during the confrontation between Detroit Police and members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD).

The confrontation began when two police officers attempted to issue ordinance violation tickets to two men who were selling newspapers on the sidewalk. The accounts of what happened next vary, however, a fight broke out between the officers and members of the crowd that had gathered, back-up was called for and shots were fired. The nine 9-hour siege that followed involved nearly 100 police officers, and resulted in four police cars being destroyed by Molotov cocktails, one police officer being wounded by shrapnel and Patrolman Edward Smith being killed by a shotgun blast to the head. 15 young defendants, seven men and eight women, who had barricaded themselves in the Community Center were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.

(27968) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:14:15 -0500

The remains of four police cars, burned by molotov cocktails and stripped by an angry crowd during a confrontation between members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD) and the Detroit Police.

The confrontation began when two police officers attempted to issue ordinance violation tickets to two men who were selling newspapers on the sidewalk. The accounts of what happened next vary, however, a fight broke out between the officers and members of the crowd that had gathered, back-up was called for and shots were fired. The nine 9-hour siege that followed involved nearly 100 police officers, and resulted in four police cars being destroyed by Molotov cocktails, one police officer being wounded by shrapnel and Patrolman Edward Smith being killed by a shotgun blast to the head. 15 young defendants, seven men and eight women, who had barricaded themselves in the Community Center were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.

(27968) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, Brown, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:28:50 -0500

Nadine Brown, reporter and columnist for the Michigan Chronicle, addresses the press during a confrontation between Detroit Police and members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD). Ms. Brown served as an intermediary during the 9-hour stand-off and is credited with bringing the event to a peaceful conclusion by persuading most of the BPPSD members to come out of the Community Center that they occupied.

The confrontation began when two police officers attempted to issue ordinance violation tickets to two men who were selling newspapers on the sidewalk. The accounts of what happened next vary, however, a fight broke out between the officers and members of the crowd that had gathered, back-up was called for and shots were fired. The nine 9-hour siege that followed involved nearly 100 police officers, and resulted in four police cars being destroyed by Molotov cocktails, one police officer being wounded by shrapnel and Patrolman Edward Smith being killed by a shotgun blast to the head. 15 young defendants, seven men and eight women, who had barricaded themselves in the Community Center were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.

(27970) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:12:03 -0500

Police officers and local media crowd the scene as members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD) are led to a police wagon after a 9-hour stand-off. At center, left is newspaper columnist Nadine Brown, who served as an intermediary between the Black Panthers and the Detroit Police.

The confrontation began when two police officers attempted to issue ordinance violation tickets to two men who were selling newspapers on the sidewalk. The accounts of what happened next vary, however, a fight broke out between the officers and members of the crowd that had gathered, back-up was called for and shots were fired. The result was a nine 9-hour siege in which four police cars were destroyed by Molotov cocktails, one police officer was wounded by shrapnel and Patrolman Edward Smith was killed by a shotgun blast to the head. 15 young defendants, seven men and eight women, who had barricaded themselves in the Community Center were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.

(27971) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:17:37 -0500

Members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD) are loaded into a police wagon after their 9-hour stand-off with Detroit Police officers comes to an end.

The confrontation began when two police officers attempted to issue ordinance violation tickets to two men who were selling newspapers on the sidewalk. The accounts of what happened next vary, however, a fight broke out between the officers and members of the crowd that had gathered, back-up was called for and shots were fired. The result was a nine 9-hour siege in which four police cars were destroyed by Molotov cocktails, one police officer was wounded by shrapnel and Patrolman Edward Smith was killed by a shotgun blast to the head. 15 young defendants, seven men and eight women, who had barricaded themselves in the Community Center were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.

(27972) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:19:46 -0500

Members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD) are loaded into a police wagon after their 9-hour stand-off with Detroit Police officers comes to an end.

The confrontation began when two police officers attempted to issue ordinance violation tickets to two men who were selling newspapers on the sidewalk. The accounts of what happened next vary, however, a fight broke out between the officers and members of the crowd that had gathered, back-up was called for and shots were fired. The result was a nine 9-hour siege in which four police cars were destroyed by Molotov cocktails, one police officer was wounded by shrapnel and Patrolman Edward Smith was killed by a shotgun blast to the head. 15 young defendants, seven men and eight women, who had barricaded themselves in the Community Center were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.

(27973) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Huey Long, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:50:28 -0500

Huey Newton, at center, at an unidentified location.

(27975) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Chuck Holt, Undated

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 15:06:50 -0500

Chuck Holt is escorted through an unidentified location by a police officer.

(27976) John Watson, Ken Cockrel, South End, 1969

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 15:16:47 -0500

John Watson, editor of the South End student newspaper, speaks with Kenneth Cockrel.

(27978) Republic of New Afrika (RNA), Robert Williams, Sr., 1969

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:38:23 -0500

Robert Williams, Sr., president of the Republic of New Afrika (RNA), poses for a photograph at an unidentified location.

(27979) Republic of New Afrika (RNA), Robert Williams, Sr., 1969

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:50:28 -0500

Robert Williams, Sr. speaks to reporters during a visit to Detroit. At left is his wife, civil rights activist Mabel Robinson Williams.

(27980) Republic of New Afrika (RNA), Williams, Henry (Obadele), Moore, 1969

eclemens — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:11:06 -0500

Members of the Republic of New Afrika (RNA) hold a press conference. In view are Robert Williams, Sr. (at mic), Mabel Robinson Williams, Audley "Queen Mother" Moore, Milton Henry (Gaidi Abiodun Obadele) and Richard B. Henry (Imari Abubakari Obadele).

(27981) Republic of New Afrika (RNA), Milton Henry (Gaidi Abiodun Obadele), 1963

eclemens — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:19:26 -0500

Portrait of Pontiac lawyer Milton R. Henry (later Gaidi Abiodun Obadele).

(27982) Republic of New Afrika (RNA), Milton Henry (Gaidi Abiodun Obadele), 1967

eclemens — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:35:19 -0500

Milton R. Henry (Gaidi Abiodun Obadale) at a forum with (from left) the Rev. Hubert G. Locke, former administrative assistant to the Detroit Commissioner of Police, and Newsweek reporter John Dotson.

(27983) Republic of New Afrika (RNA), Milton Henry (Gaidi Abiodun Obadele),1969

eclemens — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:50:29 -0500

Attorney Milton R. Henry (Gaidi Abiodun Obadale) is interviewed by WXYZ-TV reporter and anchor Vendex F. (Ven) Marshall the day after the infamous police "shoot-in" at a Republic of New Afrika (RNA) meeting at the Rev. C. L. Franklin's New Bethel Baptist church.

(27984) Republic of New Afrika (RNA), Imari Abubakari Obadele (Richard B. Henry), 1969

eclemens — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 11:10:03 -0500

Imari Abubakari Obadele (Richard B. Henry), co-founder of the Republic of New Afrika (RNA), speaks with reporters from Detroit news stations.

(27985) Republic of New Afrika (RNA), Imari Abubakari Obadele (Richard B. Henry), 1969

eclemens — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 11:15:16 -0500

Imari Abubakari Obadele (Richard Henry), co-founder of the Republic of New Afrika (RNA), answers radio and television reporters's question sat a news conference.

(27986) Republic of New Afrika (RNA), Chokwe Lumumba, 1974

eclemens — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 12:44:52 -0500

Portrait of Chokwe Lumumba and his wife, Anasa.

(27987) Republic of New Afrika (RNA), Chokwe Lumumba, 1974

eclemens — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:06:15 -0500

Chokwe Lumumba, Detroit Consul for the Republic of New Afrika (RNA), speaks to a reporter. Behind him is a bulletin board filled with clippings that feature the RNA.

(27989) Nation of Islam, Malcolm X, Meetings, Detroit, 1962

eclemens — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 16:21:06 -0500

Malcolm X (formerly Malcolm Little) speaks to a reporter from the Detroit News regarding the Nation of Islam's national protest meeting that is to be held at Olympia Stadium the next day.

(27991) Nation of Islam, Malcolm X, Meetings, Wayne State, 1963

eclemens — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:37:14 -0500

Malcolm X addresses a packed house during a lecture sponsored by Wayne State's Independent Socialist Club. The lecture was held in Room 101 of State Hall and had over 400 students in attendance.

(27992) Nation of Islam, Malcolm X, Meetings, Wayne State, 1963

eclemens — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:41:06 -0500

Malcolm X addresses a packed house during a lecture sponsored by Wayne State's Independent Socialist Club. The lecture was held in Room 101 of State Hall and had over 400 students in attendance.

(27993) Nation of Islam, Elijah Muhammad, Meetings, Detroit, 1965

eclemens — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 09:15:52 -0500

Elijah Muhammad, leader of the Nation of Islam (NOI), speaks before a crowd at Detroit's Cobo Hall.

(27994) Nation of Islam, Elijah Muhammad, Meetings, Detroit, 1965

eclemens — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 09:19:01 -0500

Elijah Muhammad, leader of the Nation of Islam (NOI), speaks to the crowd at Detroit's Cobo Hall.

(27995) Nation of Islam, Muhammad Mosque No. 1, Detroit, 1965

eclemens — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 09:24:16 -0500

An exterior view of Muhammad Mosque No. 1, located at 11529 Linwood Avenue, Detroit.

(27977) The South End, Newspaper, 1969

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:28:43 -0500

The masthead of Wayne State University's student newspaper, The South End, during the tenure of editor John Watson (1968-1969).

(32638) Kenneth Cockrel, Milton Henry (Gaidi Abiodun Obadale), Detroit, 1969

eclemens — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 10:15:54 -0500

Attorneys Kenneth Cockrel and Milton Henry (Gaidi Abiodun Obadele) at an unidentified event.

(32643) Kenneth Cockrel, Police, STRESS, Rallies, Detroit, 1972

eclemens — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 11:07:22 -0500

Attorney Kenneth Cockrel addresses the audience at an Anti-STRESS (Stop the Robberies and Enjoy Safe Streets) event in Detroit, Michigan.