Congressman John Conyers has joined the Ancestor/Angels Leaving Some Mighty Big Shoes to Fill

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

We lost a giant yesterday, October 27, 2019, when we lost Congressman John Conyers - the Dean of the House of Representatives.  He was one of my personal heroes - so I admit that I took it personally when the announcement came across my screen.  It's one of those times when I subconsciously wanted to throw my computer across the room - partly in anger, and partly because I was so hurt at the loss of this great, stalwart champion for Black people and Black causes.
 

Congressman John Conyers  1929-2019

This is  the year 2019 -  the 400th year since the brutal kidnapping of millions of Black people from Africa, transporting us across the Atlantic ocean, and forcing us into 400 years of slave labor, racism, and heinous inhumane treatment.  It is the year that we commemorate our resilience, triumph over tragedy, and accomplishments of our ancestors and contemporaries.  But it appears to me that we are suffering some significant losses in the midst of our triumphs. The loss of Congressman Elijah Cummings a few short weeks ago, and now the transition of Congressman John Conyers, kind of makes if a Pyrrhic victory. 

No one was more aware of that than Detroit's Congressman, John Conyers.  And for that reason, Conyers, along with several other fledgling members of  Congress  - having realized that, even though they were elected officials, they were still experiencing racism from their fellow caucasian congress members - formed the CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS in 1969.

In addition to other historical factoids, it should be noted that Congressman Conyers was also the last remaining member of Congress who had served since the presidency of Lyndon Baines Johnson - and his Great Society - it was then that the Voting Rights Act, the Civil Rights Act, Housing Urban Development (HUD), Medicare and Medicaid, and other positive social programs were formed. 

It was Conyers who demanded a holiday in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968 after his assassination on April 4.  While most think it was because of Stevie Wonder's song, "Happy Birthday To Ya!" that did the trick; few recognized the Motown connections of Conyers, as well as his being the progenitor of the bill that many bet would never come to pass.  And, as usual, they were absolutely wrong.   

The post-Korean War Veteran was an activist from Day One.  He was endorsed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which may have had a bearing on his successfully winning in the 1964 race for Congress.  In 1965, after having been successfully elected to Congress, he hired Rosa Parks as the secretary and receptionist for his Detroit office.  "U.S. Rep. John Conyers, the Detroit Democrat who is the senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, was elected to Congress in 1964, the year the Civil Rights Act was passed. He immediately hired Rosa Parks as a member of his staff. Parks, whose political views mirrored those of the outspoken Conyers, would remain on the congressman's staff until her retirement in 1988."  They remained lifelong friends. 

John Conyers and Rosa Parks during his 1964 Campaign for Congress

Also, it was Conyers who put the issue of REPARATIONS FOR BLACK PEOPLE before the Congress in 1989;  it became known as HR40 in reference to the 40 acres and a mule that had been promised as part of the Emancipation Proclamation.  He consistently brought up the issue of reparations  every year thereafter, while still in office.  He introduced an expanded version of the bill in February, 2017 before the 115th  Congress, calling it the COMMISSION TO STUDY AND DEVELOP REPARATION PROTOCOLS FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS ACT.  It might be noted that the New York Post recently published an article saying that the majority of white Americans were against paying reparations to Black Americans for slavery.  In fact, the article was published 2 days before Congressman Conyers' transition.   Funnily enough,  though, no where in the article did it say anything about the millions of  Africans who later became Black Americans who were likewise just as vehemently opposed to being kidnapped from Africa and forced into slavery.  Nor did it mention the fact that we also did not like the concept of racism, lynching, environmental and education apartheid practiced broadly in the US.  I think Congressman Conyers would have said something similar to that, and proceeded to move forward, totally unphased by the article, to push the agenda forward.

I so admired the Congressman, who always had a pleasant smile and kind things to say.  One third of my family -  on the Dulan side - live in Detroit - but I could never catch up with them.  They had scattered since the 60s, and it was difficult to contact them.  The Congressman promised to have his brother reach out and see if he could locate them.  Of course, with so many constituency issues, it never happened.  But it became our running conversation.  I appreciated the fact that he never forgot to bring it up.  He was such a genteel gentleman.  

He was always the first person on the front row of the Congressional Black Caucus' annual Town Hall Meeting.  If I was lucky, and got there early enough, I got to sit next to him and get the benefit of his wit and wisdom.  The grand old man of the Caucus had seen it all, but was always encouraged by the newly elected congress members - "fresh blood" he called them - who came in with new ideas and renewed definiteness of purpose.  

He had a lot to brag about, but never did - such as having served 53 years in Congress - the longest ever for a Black congress member.  He could have bragged on having helped establish the Congressional Black Caucus, but he didn't.  He did everything he could to expand and enhance it's efficacy and membership.  

One conversations I remember having with Congressman Conyers was about Black candidates for Congress, and the necessity for the expansion of the Congressional Black Caucus membership.  He thought it was great that there were more African Americans running for Congress; but, instead of running against incumbent Black congressmembers who are already in office because it as a "safe bet," they should be running in other areas against those white congressional members who have done nothing to serve the Black constituency.   This would both expand the number of members in the CBC, who currently total 55 members - or 10% of the 535 members of Congress, and bolster their capacity to have an even greater impact on legislation and other issues that impact Black people.

He was disappointed that his proposal for Reparations for Black people ended up being a "study," as opposed to an actual bill.  He considered a study just one step away from "not gonna happen."  I remember him saying, "It's like saying let's don't but say we did."  The problem was, at the time, especially under the Bush II Administration, there was no Democratic majority to push the agenda forward - and there were several Black Democrats who were afraid to even deal with the issue.  Despite this, he continued to consistently put it before Congress.  

It must have been gratifying to have it considered in the summer of 2019 - even though, at present, little more than a sensationalistic televised session of a Congressional hearing featuring Ta-Nehisi Coates, Danny Glover, Dr. Julianne Malveaux and others discussing the necessity and viability of reparations.  Still it was a first that most likely would not have happened had Congressman Conyers not diligently and persistently insisted on keeping the proposed bill alive.  BTW: What's happening at this point with Reparations, CBC?  It's estimated that the reparations would be $1.7 Trillion!  A small price to pay when you consider the 4 centuries and counting Black people have contributed, via blood, sweat, tears to the building of what was once the most powerful Nation in the world. 

Congressman Conyers also used to joke about the Spouses Fashion Show - which, unfortunately, no longer exists.  It got more participants than any other event during the Caucus Weekend.   He used to comment that if it wasn't for that fashion show the turn out would be abysmal.  Of course, he always impeccably dressed as though he stepped out of GQ.  

John Conyers, Jr. 1964

Congressman Conyers served as the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee from 1995 to 2007, and from 2011 to 2017.  He also served on the House Oversight Committee from 1989 to 1995.   "The House Judiciary Committee is a standing committee responsible for overseeing the administration of justice withing the federal courts, administrative agencies and Federal law enforcement entities." - Google   

The Committee on Oversight and Reform is the main investigative committee of the House of Representatives.  They had the authority to issue subpoenas without a committee vote or consultation with the ranking house member.  Interestingly enough, both Conyers and Elijah Cummings have served on this committee - both are no longer with us.    Their subcommittees include: National Security, Government Operations, Economic and Consumer Policy, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and Environment - a powerful Committee indeed.  

Also note that at the time of the allegations against Congressman Conyers, he was on the Judiciary Committee, and had issued a stinging statement against T-rump's proposed Gang Deportation Act:

Sep 14, 2017    House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers (MI-13) today submitted the following statement to the record in opposition to H.R. 3697, the so-called “Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act”

"This House should stop jamming through pieces of the Trump mass deportation plan

M. Chair, H.R. 3697 is yet another exercise in false advertising by the Majority.  Named the “Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act,” this legislation is so over broad that it would lead to the deportation of immigrants with absolutely no criminal record and would apply to individuals with no connection to gangs.In short, this blatantly anti-immigrant legislation casts a wide and dangerous net in furtherance of President Trump’s mass deportation agenda.  I say this for several reasons.       To begin with, H.R. 3967 authorizes the Trump Administration to brand a group of immigrants a “gang” without requiring a conviction or even an arrest. In fact, it would allow individuals to be deported or denied admission based on a mere “belief” –however tenuous – of their connection to unlawful activity.  In addition, the bill’s definition of a “gang” is so broad that it would apply to individuals who clearly are not members of criminal gangs.  I doubt that my Republican colleagues really believe that 5 Christian ministers providing shelter to undocumented immigrants constitute a criminal gang. But by voting for this measure, that’s precisely what lawmakers would turn them into.  The bill instantly places such religious workers throughout America –from nuns to rabbis, imams to priests – into the same classification as MS-13.Finally, we are rushing this deeply flawed legislation through the House today while nearly 800,000 young people – 800,000 law abiding members of our communities – are facing deportation in as little as 6 months. These are young people who are as American as any of us.  They have grown up in our communities, attended our schools, and have become our neighbors, our teachers, first responders, doctors, and lawyers.  But because of action taken by President Trump last week, they now are living in fear and uncertainty. There is a bipartisan bill with overwhelming support across the country that would allow these young people to remain in the United States – the only home most have ever known – and continue contributing to our communities and our economy. But that bill, the DREAM Act, has languished for years.

 But, instead of taking up the DREAM Act, we are rushing H.R. 3697 through just days after it was introduced and without any hearings, markups, or the opportunity for amendment.This House should stop jamming through pieces of the Trump mass deportation plan and instead recommit itself to lifting up the young people of our communities by passing the DREAM act.It is what's right for our economy, our Nation and it is our moral responsibility. I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 3697 and I reserve the balance of my time."

It should be noted that on November 28, 2017, allegations were leveled against Congressman Conyers for sexual improprieties by former staffers.  

Coincidence?  I think not.  

Like so many other allegations leveled against successful, influential Black men when they've stepped beyond the proscribed bounds set by the meanstream, they came against a man whose record had stood the test of time.  Perhaps they knew that, at his advanced age, he would not want to have his record and name dragged through the smut by people whose only interest was how to fill headlines.  And with an Icon like John Conyers, what a field day they would have.  Rather than be fodder for their yellow journalism, he stepped down.  At 88 years of age,  he had more than adequately served his people, constituency and country - he had nothing left to prove.  I also hope the Black media does not regurgitate the meanstream media headlines about an alleged sexual harassment that was never proven.  He deserves better than that.

I also hope, this time we take a different tact on the transition of the great John Conyers to the realm of Ancestor/Angel.  Instead of just mourning his loss, let's celebrate his legacy, and study his life.  He has made such a great impact on Black culture and legacy, it would be a shame just to squander it under a few headlines.  He was a veritable walking human history.  And that legacy still lives.

If you balance the preponderance of his accomplishments against any perceived shortcomings, the scales weigh overwhelmingly in his favor from the most positive standpoint.
As a member of the media who has had the privilege of covering the Congressional Black Caucus for 35 years, I have to say that it was a total privilege and honor to have had the opportunity of meeting this wonderful, Fine Black Man.  

We should/must all honor, treasure, and learn from the example he set and continue to exemplify in our life and times.  The memory and contribution of John Conyers, Jr. lives on.

NOW THAT YOU KNOW

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Stay Blessed &

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria Dulan-Wilson

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