Thursday, February 10, 2011

Plainfield's Own Black History Figures

Do you remember The Rev. Frank Allen, a Garveyite who once led the local NAACP branch?

How about Freeman Whetstone? Westry Horne?

What can you tell the current generation about Everett Lattimore?

Plainfielders have their own chapters of black history, written by those named above and others who contributed to the community through the 20th Century.

Plaintalker is interested in your anecdotes about those who fought for civil rights, housing, education and economic parity in the Queen City.

Looking forward to your stories!

--Bernice

2 comments:

  1. One man that should definitely be remembered is Richard Roundtree who was the Vice-Principal at the Hubbard School when Everett Lattimore was the Principal. This was right after the riots. Richard Roundtree was a man who brought people of all kinds together. He respected each person as an individual, demanded respect in the school, and was a true mentor to young people in Plainfield. All people in education should follow his lead.

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  2. Mr. Roundtree was the principal at Cedarbrook School when we moved here in 1982. In fact, he's one of the reasons we did--we met with him and were impressed with his professionalism and his commitment to all of his students. After we arrived in Plainfield and put our son in Cedarbrook School we found that Mr. Roundtree made it his practice to be outside of the school every morning to make sure the kids got in safely. His illness and passing were a real loss not just to the school but to the district and the entire city of Plainfield. We need more like him!

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