Black Georgia legislators have suffered a storied past filled with bigotry. The first offense occurred in 1868 when state senators Aaron A. Bradley, George Wallace and Tunis G. Campbell Sr. and thirty state representatives elected to serve in the Georgia legislature were expelled approximately two months later because they were black. In 1980, the six-foot tall bronze historic marker acknowledging the 1868 expulsion was vandalized.
Recently, the marker was restored and the Georgia Black Legislative Caucus (GBLC) held a rededication ceremony to honor these politicians and heir contributions.
Beginning March 31, there will be a new exhibition at the Auburn Avenue Research Library titled “Georgia Legislative Black Caucus: Remembering Our Legends and Honoring Our Torchbearers,” highlighting the plight endured by the Georgia Legislators. It will showcase the extensive collection of rare documents and personal papers that depict the impact of social, political, economic and moral issues past on current Georgia legislators.
We extend an invitation, from the Azalea City Chapter of The Links, Inc., to the general public to come out and view this historical exhibition at the Research Library on Auburn Avenue. This is a very treasured exhibition, especially for young people; and the history revealed through the papers and other materials donated to the exhibit by members of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus offer to the public an opportunity to never forget the Legislators who started the journey in 1868 and passed it on to our present day legislators. We must never forget,” shares Michele S. Gandy, president of the Azalea City Chapter of the Links, Inc. They organization spearheaded the exhibition.
A ribbon cutting for the exhibition will take place on Sunday, April 15, 2012, at 3:30 p.m. The Azalea City Links will sponsor a “White Glove Affair” reception that follows the ribbon cutting. –yvette caslin
