Undeterred in the Face of Terror: The Story of My Grandfather, Reverend J.D. Hunter and the "Courageous Eight".
Will Owens III
Entrepreneur ??/ 10X Author ?? / RE Investor ??/ Philanthro ??????/U.S.M.C Veteran ??/Prototype Dev ??/Serial Inventor??Inventor of "Sekurex", "EZ-Bulb" and "Slide Soket" (Pat.Pend) / Life Univ. Alum??.
John Davidson Hunter, or J.D. as he was known, wasn't just a man who witnessed history unfold in Selma, Alabama. He was my grandfather - a trailblazer who carved a path toward justice long before the national spotlight was shone on the city's struggle. To truly understand his legacy, we must delve into the perilous world he navigated, a world where every act of defiance carried the weight of unimaginable consequences.
?J.D.'s commitment to equality wasn't confined to Sunday sermons. In the 1940s and 50s, he served as the President of the Selma NAACP, a position that was far from a safe haven. He championed the rights of blacks who faced a prejudiced legal system, bringing in attorneys from Montgomery and Birmingham when local representation was nonexistent and unreliable. In one instance, Rev. Hunter called in an attorney to represent a black soldier falsely accused of rape, and whom the authorities tried to frame. The attorney worked on the case and eventually got the soldier off.
?Certain acts of defiance such as these were met with fierce backlash. J.D. was blacklisted (disapproved by Whites and some Blacks) and largely considered a “troublemaker”. Yet, J.D. stood resolute, his actions fueled by an unwavering belief in justice and a burning desire to dismantle the walls of discrimination and segregation.
?In 1954, alongside 28 other black citizens, J.D. petitioned the Selma school superintendent to integrate all segregated schools. This petition was submitted before the landmark decision of Brown v. Board of Education. Initially, hundreds of names were on the petition and were published in the local newspaper “The Selma Times Journal”. All who were identified and refused to take their names off the petition were fired, threatened, and harassed. Only 8 names were left (thus the name the “Courageous 8" was born).
This seemingly simple act was a declaration of war against the deeply entrenched racist system. The consequence? Blacklisting for decades, cutting him off from credit, loans, necessities, and economic opportunities. But J.D. refused to be broken. He found alternative means to survive such as becoming a top insurance salesman, he formulated and sold remedies to common problems such as arthritis, he made cologne and even cake flavorings (lemon and vanilla- which he made at home from chemicals he ordered.
His wife, my Grandmother Lucille C. Hunter, a pillar of strength in her own right, worked as a Practical Nurse (P.N.) for over 30 years at Vaughn Memorial Hospital until she retired. She would make quilts, herbs, crochet blankets and sell fruits and vegetables from her garden to make sure the family always had food on the table. The Ku Klux Klan would repeatedly phone my grandmother, inquiring whether J.D. intended to remove his name from the petition. Her response was a firm: "No." In response, they menacingly threatened, "We're coming to torch the house and eliminate everyone, including the children.
Armed with her trusty "One Shooter," she would steadfastly declare, "I'll shoot first and inquire later," affirming her resolve to stand her ground. My grandmother and grandfather would often spend sleepless nights, anticipating the Klan's arrival. Yet, they never materialized. My grandmother's unwavering courage played a crucial role, complementing my grandfather's efforts. Without her, his accomplishments would have been diminished. She epitomized true resilience—a steadfast ally in the fight and a true rider.
?In 1956, the Governor banned the NAACP, further tightening the screws on J.D.'s activism. But his spirit remained undimmed. The Courageous 8 would still meet in secret at barbershops, churches, and even each other's houses. He was one of the eight courageous individuals who dared to launch a voter registration drive in 1963, a move that was considered deadly by many. This act of defiance paved the way for Dr. King's arrival in Selma. It was these 8 who invited Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Selma which ultimately culminated in the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
?However, the price he paid was immense. He was blacklisted from all jobs and was denied credit and loans. This forced him to drive 100 miles from Selma to Montgomery for work at least 3 to 4 days out of the week. His first house was burned to the ground mysteriously, his car cut off the road and flipped while driving in a KKK-orchestrated attack, and his electricity was constantly cut off at his residence for several days for no reason at all. Sometimes the neighbors would run extension cords to help out. They lived under the constant threat of violence. The Klan later called their group the "Crazy Eight," highlighting the immense danger they faced in their pursuit of justice. Yet, they persisted, their courage a beacon in the face of unimaginable darkness.
?J.D.'s story isn't just about a single courageous act; it's a testament to the immense sacrifices made by countless individuals in the fight for equality. He served as a two-time City Councilman. While a Councilman, he accomplished much ensuring that water and sewage lines were extended to black neighborhoods. He forced the city to pave streets in the Black community, before then, only a few black streets were paved. He proposed and facilitated the passage of various laws and ordinances that helped the black community.
He hosted a radio program called the “Family Hour” for more than 30 years. He edited two black newspapers which were “The Selma Citizen and Selma Mirror. He also was the first black member of the Selma Water Board. His tireless efforts earned him recognition from President Clinton on March 5, 2000, while commemorating the 35th Anniversary of the historical “1965 Voting Rights March from Selma to Montgomery. But the true measure of his legacy lies in the countless lives he touched and the hope he instilled in his community.
?Reverend J.D. Hunter wasn't just a man who lived through history; he helped shape it. If it wasn’t for the Courageous 8 laying the groundwork in the 1940’s I do believe this country would be in a different place.?His story is a stark reminder that the fight for equality often comes at a heavy price, a price he and countless others willingly paid to pave the way for a better tomorrow. As we read his story, let us not forget the sacrifices made and let their courage inspire us to continue the fight for justice in our own time.
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Events:
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?Sources:
?Alabama State University. "‘The Courageous Eight’ traveling exhibit to premiere at ASU." WSFA, 16 Oct. 2019, https://www.wsfa.com/2019/10/16/courageous-eight-traveling-exhibit-premiere-asu/.
King, Lauren. "Key figures from Selma to Montgomery civil rights marches where activists faced violence." USA Today, 21 Mar. 2023, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/03/21/selma-montgomery-civil-rights-marches-key-figures/11420930002/.
领英推荐
Tabernacle Baptist Church. "Our History." https://tbcselma.org/church-history/#htbc-justice. Accessed [date].
"Selma-to-Montgomery March." National Archives, https://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/vote/selma-marches. Accessed [date].
"Rev. J.D. Hunter lived a meaningful life." Selma Times-Journal, 22 May 2003, https://www.selmatimesjournal.com/2003/05/22/jd-hunter-lived-a-meaningful-life/.
This is video footage of President William Jefferson Clinton delivering remarks on the 35th anniversary of the 1965 voting rights march at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. President Clinton thanks to Rev Hunter at marker 46 minutes and 20 seconds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QDEh7stIi8
About the Author:
Will Owens III is the grandson of Reverend J.D. Hunter and carries his legacy close to his heart.
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