The Civil Rights Movement occurred in a relatively short period of time, over the 1950s and ’60s. Its aim was to put an end to the centuries of persecution blacks had as slaves and under Jim Crow. For such a short period of time, the movement achieved a great deal, putting an end to racial discrimination under the law.
Unfortunately, the movement was unable to put an end to the economic discrimination blacks faced, and as a result segregation, although not enforced by the law, is still a reality. Many chose to fight economic discrimination as well as in other areas.
Although the Gateway Arch will be commemorating its golden anniversary this month, I wonder if Percy Green will be honored at these celebratory events. I spoke with Mr. Green and he said, as of now, he has not been invited.
Much has been documented about the life and career of this civil rights and human rights icon, but so much more is not known.
In the February 17, 2011 edition of The St. Louis American, Rebecca S. Rivas told a portion of Green’s story. She wrote, “On July 14, 1964, Percy Green II did what most St. Louis residents have pondered at least once. He climbed up the side of the St. Louis Gateway Arch.
“The Arch was still under construction in 1964, so Green and a white college student, Richard Daly, climbed up the ladder that was meant for the workers. They climbed to about 125 feet high and then stayed up there for five hours as an act of civil disobedience. Their goal was to make the community aware that no African-American workers or contractors were hired for the Arch project. They succeeded.”
Arch 50 Fest will be celebrated on Saturday, October 24. Other commemorative activities will be held, including a Meet the Builders event on Wednesday, October 28, featuring the men who built the Arch in the 1960s.
Will Percy Green be invited?
Many media have acknowledged and detailed how Green left CORE (The Congress of Racial Equality) to start the Action Council to Improve Opportunities for Negroes (ACTION). Countless have recognized his acts of civil defiance and protests against the Veiled Prophet organization and Jefferson Bank in a struggle against employment traditions that motivated other civil rights activities. He has paid a price that few can imagine or want to experience.
However, few remember the movements Green either organized or participated in against several local radio stations that discriminated against their African-American employees. He also organized and campaigned against and for the St. Louis Public Schools and some board members, either elected or appointed.
A wax figure of Percy Green’s likeness is in the Griot Museum of African American History, and a portion of his story was represented in the Call to Consciousness play “Unsung Voices of Black St. Louis.” Though his images are often in newspapers and magazines, and his lawsuit against the McDonnell-Douglas Corporation was reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court, Percy Green is still relatively shunned by certain elected officials and civic organizations.
Do you think Percy Green should be included in the 50th anniversary celebration of the Gateway Arch? We will be watching.
Please watch the Bernie Hayes TV program Saturday night at 10 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 5:30 p.m. on KNLC-TV Ch. 24. I can be reached by fax at (314) 837-3369 or e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net.
