Home > Talk of East Texas > Archives > 2008 > August > 27 > Entry
Obama paves way for local black leaders
Barack Obama is set to become the first black candidate to accept a major party nomination for U.S. president.
It will be a moment of pageantry and fanfare. It also will help the local community understand that black Americans have the ability to lead and should have that ability here, according to James Johnson, a pioneer in local black politics.
Who are black East Texans who have led in the community?
Comments
By James Williams
August 28, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
Mr. Johnson is to be commended for the work he has done and continues to do. I was born in Longview, but have not lived there for years. I return periodically to see the old homestead and visit with relatives and friends.
During the summer of 1948, I remember Mr. Johnson as a teenager when he won a 1948 Plymouth during a drawing at the Rembert Theater. A part of First Baptist Church currently occupies the space where it was located. When his number was called, he was in the balcony. He yelled that he had the “winning ticket”. He was told to come downstairs to verify his claim. I will never forget the names he was called by some of the audience that occupied the main floor as he went to the stage. After his ticket was verified he calmly walked out with dignity trying not to antagonize anyone.
Mr. Johnson you have accomplished much since our days at Prairie View A & M University. Keep up the good work.
By Linda
August 28, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this
Mr. Booty, needs to look at Johnson after 1970. Come back to Longview and get out and talk to people in the African American community. Money and power changes people.
We live in a multi-cultural society now. It’s no longer 1970, and Jimmy Carter is no longer running for president.
By Willie Booty
August 27, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
I was a student of Mr Johnson back in the late fifties and early sixties. He was a strong teacher and leader and it looks like he’s continued on this path. I urge him and the rest of the black leadership of Longview to continue to foster more leaders liker he and Mr Bailey. Although I haven’t lived in Longview since I left in 1964, I try to keep up with what’s happening there through my family. God bless all who doing the work and making me proud of my hometown…
Willie J. Booty Womack - Class 1964
By Bill
August 27, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
LOL.
By MAllen
August 27, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
James Johnson a “Pioneer”. I can only when remember when he was accused of dumping toxic chemicals at the Gregg County Airport. Also, remember talking to a lady that rented from him and our conversation on absentee ballots in South Longview.
Some of you may think of him as a pioneer, but I think of him as a race hustler. He caused a lot more problems than solutions for Longview. Does he lay awake at night dreaming on how next to divide Longview.