Indiana House Commemorates 50th Anniversary Of National Black Political Convention – The Times Of Northwest Indiana

A historic gathering of black leaders and up-and-comers held 50 years ago in Gary recently was commemorated in the Indiana House by one of the thousands of men and women whose lives were forever changed by the event.

State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, said his participation at the National Black Political Convention was one of the greatest highlights of his life.

“The energy and unity at the convention sparked a turning point that encouraged black Americans to take a seat at the table and affect change in their local communities,” Smith said.

The convention ran from March 10 to March 12, 1972, and drew some 10,000 people from across to the country to the Steel City, led at the time by Mayor Richard Hatcher, one of the first big-city black mayors and the father of current state Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary.

Convention participants discussed the need for political activism, identified ways of encouraging more black Americans to run for public office, and issued a manifesto demanding fundamental changes to the nation’s politics, economics and culture.

The impact of the convention was immediately felt in Indiana where a record number of black lawmakers were elected to the General Assembly in 1972, among them state Sen. Rudy Clay; and state Reps. Robert Freeland Jr. and Jewell Harris, all Democrats from Gary.

Altogether, records show 39 black legislators from nine Indiana counties have served in the Statehouse in the half-century since the convention, including the 14 current members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus.

In addition to Smith and Ragen Hatcher, the black caucus members hailing from Northwest Indiana are: State Sens. Eddie Melton, D-Gary; and Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago; and state Reps. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago; and Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond.

“There is no doubt that organizations like the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus formed as a result of our predecessors advocating for change at the National Black Political Convention,” Smith said.

“I’m proud to co-author a resolution honoring an event that led to a significant shift in racial equity in the political process,” Smith said.

House Resolution 31, adopted unanimously on Feb. 28, recalls the history of the National Black Political Convention and celebrates its achievements, including the more than 10,000 black Americans that today hold elected office at all levels of government.

At the same time, Smith observed the work of the National Black Political Convention to generate meaningful societal change still goes on.

“The same issues we were fighting for 50 years ago — an end to police violence, equal voting rights, access to quality education and economic opportunities, continue to show us that progress must be made,” Smith said.

“It is important for the next generation to reflect on the success and obstacles of their predecessors as we continue to organize and address today’s political and social challenges.”