Arthur Johnson R.I.P. - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

MickeyMac · 11-03-2011, 12:13 PM

DETROIT – Human rights activist, educator and arts advocate Arthur Johnson died Tuesday after an extended illness, prompted in part by the debilitating effects of Parkinson’s disease. In more recent years, Johnson was best known as a university administrator. He retired as senior vice president of Wayne State University in 1995 after 23 years in various high-ranking posts.

But his impact was perhaps greatest as a stalwart soldier in the battle to end racial discrimination in housing, public education, restaurants and other public places in Detroit – the adopted home he came to love and fight tirelessly for after moving to the city from Georgia in 1950. He was born in Americus, Ga., and educated at Morehouse College and Atlanta University, both in Atlanta.

Johnson was a trusted adviser to Mayor Coleman A. Young and a comrade of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Johnson and King graduated in 1948 from Morehouse, a historically black college.

“Art rose from poverty to prominence, largely on the strength of his intellect, integrity, determination and compassion for all people,” said longtime friend Judge Damon Keith of the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. “He’s a man of absolute integrity, loyalty and commitment to this city and community.”

“There was nothing too small or too big for Art to step forward if he thought it was in the best interest of this city and the constituents he served,” said former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer. “And he was one of the most level-headed people you ever want to see. His demeanor was such that he was never loud or boisterous; he was always very measured and effective.”

Archer said Johnson’s memoir, “Race and Remembrance” (Wayne State University Press, $24.95), published in 2008, ought to be required reading for all Detroiters.

“It is a must-read for our young people because it gives a flavor of the challenges many black people faced living in the city of Detroit, not to mention his own personal challenges; yet he went on to triumph and make this place a better place for all of us,” Archer said.

The national NAACP recruited Johnson to Detroit in 1950 to become its executive secretary. As the organization’s top staff person, Johnson held the post for 14 years. Under his leadership, the organization became one of the most respected in the nation.

He was president of the Detroit Branch NAACP from 1987-93.

Johnson was one of the creators of the Freedom Fund Dinner, which continues to be one of the largest fundraising events of any civil rights group.

“He was a man of high integrity and commitment to civil rights,” said civic leader Mary Blackmon, a former board member of the Detroit branch. “He epitomized what a leader should do in helping to make the NAACP responsive to the community, as well as fighting on behalf of the community as a whole. He used whatever resources he had to elevate the mission of the NAACP.

“And he was able to do things others couldn’t do because people respected him so much.”

Johnson also served as deputy director of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission. In 1966, he was appointed assistant superintendent of the Detroit Public Schools, becoming the first African American to hold the post.

A huge fan of the arts, Johnson viewed opening the arts to the masses as an extension of his civil rights work.

He was on the board of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and pushed for diversity within the orchestra on stage and among the people attending the concerts.

He encouraged the DSO to perform works of African-American composers, and encouraged the organization to hire African-American musicians and conductors.

“Arthur Johnson, for many years, has been the catalyst for accessibility and inclusion for the entire community to the full breadth of the arts experience in Detroit,” said Wayne Brown, director of music and opera for the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, D.C

MickeyMac · 11-03-2011, 12:14 PM

I am taking a class called African Americans in Michigan, and one of the assignments is to read Johnson's memoires. Right about the time we started this, he passed away.

Penny Lane · 11-04-2011, 10:42 AM

Detroit and the whole USA need more people like him!RIP Mr. Johnson

11-03-2011, 12:13 PM	#1
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	Arthur Johnson R.I.P. DETROIT – Human rights activist, educator and arts advocate Arthur Johnson died Tuesday after an extended illness, prompted in part by the debilitating effects of Parkinson’s disease. In more recent years, Johnson was best known as a university administrator. He retired as senior vice president of Wayne State University in 1995 after 23 years in various high-ranking posts. But his impact was perhaps greatest as a stalwart soldier in the battle to end racial discrimination in housing, public education, restaurants and other public places in Detroit – the adopted home he came to love and fight tirelessly for after moving to the city from Georgia in 1950. He was born in Americus, Ga., and educated at Morehouse College and Atlanta University, both in Atlanta. Johnson was a trusted adviser to Mayor Coleman A. Young and a comrade of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Johnson and King graduated in 1948 from Morehouse, a historically black college. “Art rose from poverty to prominence, largely on the strength of his intellect, integrity, determination and compassion for all people,” said longtime friend Judge Damon Keith of the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. “He’s a man of absolute integrity, loyalty and commitment to this city and community.” “There was nothing too small or too big for Art to step forward if he thought it was in the best interest of this city and the constituents he served,” said former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer. “And he was one of the most level-headed people you ever want to see. His demeanor was such that he was never loud or boisterous; he was always very measured and effective.” Archer said Johnson’s memoir, “Race and Remembrance” (Wayne State University Press, $24.95), published in 2008, ought to be required reading for all Detroiters. “It is a must-read for our young people because it gives a flavor of the challenges many black people faced living in the city of Detroit, not to mention his own personal challenges; yet he went on to triumph and make this place a better place for all of us,” Archer said. The national NAACP recruited Johnson to Detroit in 1950 to become its executive secretary. As the organization’s top staff person, Johnson held the post for 14 years. Under his leadership, the organization became one of the most respected in the nation. He was president of the Detroit Branch NAACP from 1987-93. Johnson was one of the creators of the Freedom Fund Dinner, which continues to be one of the largest fundraising events of any civil rights group. “He was a man of high integrity and commitment to civil rights,” said civic leader Mary Blackmon, a former board member of the Detroit branch. “He epitomized what a leader should do in helping to make the NAACP responsive to the community, as well as fighting on behalf of the community as a whole. He used whatever resources he had to elevate the mission of the NAACP. “And he was able to do things others couldn’t do because people respected him so much.” Johnson also served as deputy director of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission. In 1966, he was appointed assistant superintendent of the Detroit Public Schools, becoming the first African American to hold the post. A huge fan of the arts, Johnson viewed opening the arts to the masses as an extension of his civil rights work. He was on the board of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and pushed for diversity within the orchestra on stage and among the people attending the concerts. He encouraged the DSO to perform works of African-American composers, and encouraged the organization to hire African-American musicians and conductors. “Arthur Johnson, for many years, has been the catalyst for accessibility and inclusion for the entire community to the full breadth of the arts experience in Detroit,” said Wayne Brown, director of music and opera for the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, D.C

11-04-2011, 10:42 AM	#3
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,280	Detroit and the whole USA need more people like him!RIP Mr. Johnson
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

11-03-2011, 12:14 PM	#2
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	I am taking a class called African Americans in Michigan, and one of the assignments is to read Johnson's memoires. Right about the time we started this, he passed away.