Watching DNC and remembering Julian Bond

Guest Column

As I watched the reception Jesse Jackson received on the first night of the Democratic Convention, I couldn’t help but be transported back to my early days as a reporter when I covered a speech by Julian Bond who, many believed — wrongly of course — would one day stand as the first successful Black candidate for president.

I still see him that night as a young man, eyes wide as they searched the crowd, skin taut and veins throbbing as he worked to keep his expression under control. It was 1970 and this icon of the Civil Rights and anti-war movements had come to red neck country to speak to a crowd that mostly did not want to hear his message.

What they mostly wanted to do was stand against him. Given the rumors, some were probably there in the hope that they might see him die that night.

The wind was rife with threats. A phalanx of lawmen had been called out to surround and protect him. The venue was beyond steamy — a combination of the sweat of hundreds of bodies and the hot rain that had pelted everyone who had entered.

Despite the warnings of my editor to keep my distance and my wits about me, I found myself elbow to elbow with him as his circle of guards pushed us through the masses and propelled him toward the podium.

I wasn’t surprised by the grim expressions on their faces. This was, by all reports, a dangerous evening. But I was astounded to see that behind the watchful, officially protective eyes of some, a deep and angry hatred lurked. Faces projected the message loud and clear: tonight they might need to die for this guy — and they despised him, and they despised his message.

One of them stared straight at us and spit on the ground where Bond was to walk.

There was a horrendous odor arising from our little circle. I’d never smelled it before nor since, but clearly it was the scent of fear — sharp, acrid, all encompassing.

As we were nudged even closer together, our eyes locked. His were dark, wide, watchful — filled it seemed with a combination of dread and determination — with perhaps just a touch of resignation.

I don’t remember the specifics of what was said that night, but I will never forget the courage of the man as he squared his shoulders, gave a little shrug and went forward to speak his mind.
Things have changed since that long ago night.

Bond died in August 2015. He did live to see another Black man become president. A Black woman now seeks to do the same. And Jackson, who had fought many of the same battles he had, received a reception that was in sharp contrast to Bond’s so many decades ago.

But I couldn’t help but wonder: in the recesses of too many American souls, how much has truly changed?

Carol Kneeland is a correspondent for The News and lives in North East.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Millerton News and The News does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

Millbrook Scout completes Eagle Scout leadership work to benefit Angels of Light

Celebrating the completion of his Eagle Scout leadership project to benefit Angels of Light on Friday, March 21, Jayden Loibl, 17, was joined by Angels of Light co-Executive Directors, Lori Cassia-Decker, left, and Danielle Mollica.

Photo by Leila Hawken

MILLBROOK — Capping a lifetime of scouting achievement, Jayden Loibl, 17, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout, completing a community project to handcraft outdoor benches and tables for the local nonprofit Angels of Light building at 28 Front St.

In addition to overseeing the construction of sturdy benches and tables that invite passersby to try them out, Loibl’s major project also created a Love Lock Pillar, and finished off the project by making stencil templates of the nonprofit’s logo to be used to identify the space and invite visitors.

Keep ReadingShow less
Amenia approves sidewalk projectalong Route 44
Amenia Town Hall
Photo by John Coston

AMENIA — Pedestrians will soon be able to walk safely between Broadway and Beekman Park, now that a construction contract has been awarded.

The planning process continued for many months, culminating in an invitation to bid. The Town Board voted unanimously at its regular meeting on Thursday, March 20, to select the lowest bidder, clearing the way for work to begin.

Keep ReadingShow less
Science confirms: It was a cold winter

Spring has officially arrived with freezing night time temperatures forecast through the first week of April.

Photo by Krista A. Briggs

Victoria Kelly, Cary Institute Environmental Monitoring Program Manager and Senior Ecologist, prepared this report.

MILLBROOK — Since 1988 the weather station at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in the Town of Washington has been keeping track of our local weather — precipitation, temperature, wind, air quality, etc.

Keep ReadingShow less
North East Fire District focuses on budget, spending

The North East Fire house on the south side of Century Boulevard.

Photo by Krista A. Briggs

MILLERTON — The commissioners of the North East Fire District recently held their monthly meeting at the firehouse to discuss their current needs and general business.

Discussion centered around the current work on the 2025 budget and proposed expenditures, which ranged from upgrading their heating/cooling system to the possibility of replacing car no. 3.

Keep ReadingShow less