Approaching the end of a decade of reckoning, 1968 was a tumultuous year in so many ways, none more so than being the year Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated on April 4th. The leader of a Civil Rights Movement that confronted main stream society and its blatant racist accepted behavior, he had given a speech the night before that referenced black people getting to the promised land (Race Riots, 4:14). The next evening the ‘face’ and savior of the Civil Rights Movement was shot and killed. As the news hit the nation riots broke out in over 100 cities, by the end of the week, 39 people were killed, thousands injured and tens of thousands arrested (Risen). When James Brown took the stage the next night in a city known for its segregation, he could have gone in any direction. In the face of potential trouble he stood up and asserted leadership and pride, his actions that night were as monumental as any individual at the time to help his race and calm the country.
Friday night April 5th, James Brown, a proud black man, was to perform in Boston which had seen riots the previous night in parts of the city. The mayor gave serious consideration to canceling the show rather than risk a sizable crowd of potentially incensed black people in down-town Boston. At the same time canceling the show might produce the very same effect he hoped to avoid. (April 05, 1968). Hoping to entice people to stay in their homes the political leaders were able to enlist public television station WGBH to carry the concert that evening (April 05, 1969). There were some financial arrangements that had to be settled because of some prearranged agreements, but Brown approved. This was the first step of his seizing the moment to instill peace.
After being introduced Brown made sure to acknowledge Kevin White, the young white mayor, as someone who should be supported and helped (James Brown 6:44). As the show neared its end, a young boy appeared on stage, Brown simply asked him if he wanted to dance (James Brown 1:29). This brought others climbing on the stage, which brought out the policemen who were very much present off to the side of the stage. As the police began to assert themselves, James Brown told them to step back and claimed “I will be alright” (James Brown 1:30). As more people climbed the stage it became hard to see Brown. But the whole time you can hear his calm voice, asking the people to step back, telling the police he was fine and they did not need to step up (James Brown 1:31). Considering the tension of the country, the overall contempt by many blacks for white police officers and the police own fear of violence this was a turning point. Despite his calming, polite manner asking the people to clear the stage a few people resisted. At one point Brown states;
“we are black, don’t make us all look bad”. “now wait a minute; now that’s not right, let’s represent our ownself, you make me look very bad, I asked the police to step back and you wouldn’t go back, no that’s wrong. You’re not being fair to yourself or me either or your own race. I asked the police to step back so I could get respect from my own people. . Now are we together or we ain’t.” (James Brown 1:31-1:32).
Considering this event was broadcast across the city of Boston that night, the manner in which James Brown calmly took control, establishing pride in the black people for their own race was significant in the face of what was happening across the country. This could very easily have been a major confrontation between blacks and white police, but the professionalism and self-pride and control exhibited by this extraordinary man, almost chosen for the moment, was a beckon of strength and dignity that helped calm a city and was acknowledged by a nation.
Works Cited
“April 05, 1968: James Brown calms Boston following the King assassination.” History.com, 2009, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/james-brown-calms-boston-following- the-king-assassination Accessed 18 January 2017.
“Race Riots 1968 Pt 2.” Youtube uploaded by Abdul Jalil, 7 August 2008, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8c8muriOPc.
Risen, C. (2008) “The legacy of the 1968 riots.” The Guardian, 4 April 2008 https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/apr/04/thelegacyofthe1968riots
Accessed 18 January 2017.
“James Brown Live at Boston Garden (1968).” Youtube, uploaded by SoulShizzle,
10 October 2011, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BawG-N9_FR8.
