MichiganBulletinOnline

The Hurricane Takes Albion College by Storm

By Dianne M. Hicks

Rubin “Hurricane” Carter came late, but he was well worth the wait!  The author of “The 16th Round: From Number 1 to Number 45472", visited the campus of Mid-Michigan’s Albion College. More than 1,200 people patiently waited in Goodrich Chapel for Carter's weather delayed entrance on February 4.

Rubin “Hurricane” Carter is a remarkable man, a man of incredible mental and spiritual power! We were well compensated for the hour plus several minutes deferred beginning as Carter kept us mesmerized for nearly two hours.

He graced us with an inspiring message entitled, “The Power of Love” that will have us pinching ourselves for days to come. Being in his presence was like witnessing an inexhaustible reservoir of human strength and energy.

From the time that Carter was introduced, he took us on a journey of remembrance and unlimited knowledge that we will remember for the rest of our lives.

Carter’s professional boxing career began in 1961, and his fast and ferocious style made him a crowd favorite. Five years later, while preparing for a World Championship fight, he was arrested along with John Arnold Artis, a young man Carter befriended with a ride that fateful night, for triple murder.

But since his initial stop and arrest, Carter has steadfastly maintained his innocence. Regardless, both he and Artis were found guilty of the murders. Carter sentenced to three life terms, narrowly escaping the electric chair.

Upon his publication of his autobiography in 1974, and two key witnesses who admitted they had lied at the trial. Carter’s case attracted international attention. He became the darling of human rights activist and was immortalized in the Bob Dylan song, “Hurricane.” But even though Carter was granted a new trial, injustice was repeated because of a vendetta that a detective had against him. However, Carter never gave up, after the crowds faded a New York City born Black teenager, Lesra Martin, read Carter's book and convinces his Canadian guardians to take up the ex-boxer's cause.

Finally in 1985, a Federal judge freed Carter from prison. After 22 years the indictment was officially dismissed.  Later, The World of Boxing Council awarded Carter the World Championship Belt at its 30th convention in Las Vegas.

Currently, Carter’s story, as detailed in his book, has been released to the silver screen.  His saga is depicted by actor Denzel Washington in the movie "Hurricane” that was filmed in Paterson, N.J., at Rahway State Prison and in Toronto, where Carter now works to free others who have been wrongly convicted.

He is the Executive Director of the Association In Defense of the Wrongly Convicted (AID-WYC), which was founded in 1993.  Carter’s belief in the power of forgiveness and love has enabled him to turn his life around. He had to learn to recognize his own self-worth.

This is an indelible power that very few of us take time to discover within ourselves. Many of us fail to self-search to the point of capturing this essence that God has placed in each one of us to resurrect and use. Some complain and blame others for their lot in life often missing the blessing that is in store for them.

Other people don’t take time to find out why they are here on this earthly journey. Carter reminded the audience that we all have a mission to accomplish, and that we are unique with a unique purpose. We are here to make a difference in this life before going on to the next plateau.

Carter’s message targeted the youth. He feels that young people are the guardians of the keys to the future. Carter challenged them to find what they must do with that task placed before them. He pointed out the youth , like all of us, will be held accountable for bridging the gap between love and hate if America is to survive.

The former boxer said love is the answer - the love of your fellow man. One of Carter’s main quotes is, “Hate put me in prison, but love broke me out of prison.” The essence is love in which Carter believes very deeply. Carter has a friendly, caring personality, however, he answered questions with a sometimes sharp and direct approach that would not allow for him to be misunderstood or misquoted. He’s learned how to survive and transcend the very system that put him behind bars. Carter emerged from prison to stand as a shinning example of hope. He taught all of us to never give up no matter what!

Carter's speech was part of a recognition of Black History Month, sponsored by Albion College Black Student Alliance, the Muslim Student Network, the Umbrella Group and the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Longtime area activist takes helm

The Black Child and Family Institute, a nonprofit community agency dedicated to providing programs aimed at strengthening children and families through mutual respect and responsibility, recently appointed Ernie L. K. Boone its Executive Director.

Boone, a long time activist in Lansing’s African American Community, is the former Director of Delinquency Policy and Program Development for the State of Michigan Family Independence Agency (FIA) Office of Delinquency Services. He retired from state service in 1997 and has been serving as a counselor in a Lansing School District pilot program operated by Camp Highfields for the past year.

“We are pleased and excited to acquire someone with Boone’s professional background and demonstrated commitment to children and families,” said BCFI Board President, Anita Turner. “We’re confident that he’ll provide the leadership necessary for BCFI to continue to enhance its ability to deliver high quality services to the Lansing community.”

Boone began his tenure January 31. He replaces Dr. Ronald Gillum, who resigned in December to take a position at Davenport College.  Boone brings to the position an extensive background as an administrator in government programs, including 25 years with the Michigan Department of Social Services (now FIA), and a three year stint as assistant director of the City of Lansing’s city Demonstration Agency (Model Cities).

BCFI, located at the site of the former Genesee St. elementary school, 835 W. Genesee, offers a variety of services for children and families.  Among the programs and services offered by BCFI are an extensive after school tutorial program for elementary and middle school students, a story hour for pre-school children and parents, a parent club, computer education for adults, smoking prevention/cessation classes for youth, a comprehensive full day summer school program, adult education literacy classes, HIV/AIDS education, and recreation and cultural expression programs.