National Black Convention

Forty years ago, from March 15 though March 17, 1974, the second National Black Convention was held at Robinson Auditorium in Downtown Little Rock. Following a successful and much-lauded first convention in Gary, Indiana, in 1972, the Little Rock convention proved a much more contentious affair. Organized by Black Nationalist poet Amiri Baraka, along with co-chairs Mayor Richard Hatcher of Gary and Congressman Charles Diggins of Detroit, one of the most controversial decisions was not to invite popular charismatic leader Jesse Jackson along. But Jackson turned up anyway. Amid the controversy and infighting, perhaps the most poignant part of proceedings was an honorary plaque presented to Little Rock civil rights activist Daisy Bates at Central High School. “Mrs. Bates stood weeping as the delegates gave her a sustained, heartfelt standing ovation,” reported the Arkansas Gazette. I’m John Kirk, of the UALR History Department, and this has been an Arkansas Moment.