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VOL. 73, No. 1
January 4 - 10, 2024
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COMMENTARY
Elmore Nickelberry
From Garbage Man to Game Changer: Elmore Nickelberry and 1968 Sanitation Workers fought to be treated like humans by Lee Eric Smith lesmith@tsdmemphis.com
In 2024, it’s hard to believe that anyone would feel the need to walk around Downtown Memphis with a sign declaring in all caps: “I AM A MAN.” It says something about the desperation of those garbage men that in 1968 they felt the need to remind people of their basic humanity. Elmore Nickelberry was one of those men who did just that. Nickelberry died just before the new year at age 92, having lived a full life -and living long enough to see at least some of the change that he and the 1968 Sanitation Workers fought for. Lee Eric Note my choice of Smith words above: “Garbage Men.” Nowadays, it’s more polite and sophisticated -- more DIGNIFIED -- to use the term “Sanitation Worker.” But in that time, white garbage men got little respect and black garbage men got ZERO. In an interview with NPR’s “StoryCorp,” Nickelberry and fellow worker Taylor Rogers described the life they and their fellow garbage men lived -- working long hours in the blazing sun or the freezing rain. It was common for those workers to hoist leaky garbage cans on their heads or shoulders --
SEE NICKELBERRY ON PAGE 2
Scan the code to see and hear Elmore Nickelberry talk about the conditions that led to the 1968 Sanitation Strike and Dr. Martin Luther King coming to Memphis to support the effort.
During his inauguration, ministers and faith leaders from across the city “laid hands” on new Memphis Mayor Paul Young, asking God to bless his work. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The Tri-State Defender)
Memphis Mayor Paul Young on Day 1:
‘It’s time for us to step up’ by Florence Howard
Special to the Tri-State Defender
Memphis Mayor Paul A. Young joined the pantheon of African American mayors of Memphis when he was sworn on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2024. at the Cannon Center. And among his very first public remarks, Young announced that he and the Memphis City Council are on “a mission to save our city right now.” “This is a big moment, we will rise or fall,” Young said, before mentioning COVID and other factors contributing to the city’s troubling wave of violent crime. “The city feels like it’s in a crisis… Crime is the topic at every breakfast table,” he continued. “It’s time for us to step up.” Young, a Memphis native, was elected mayor after receiving 28 percent of the vote in a crowded field of 17 candidates, including former mayors and well-known community leaders. More than 85,000 people turned out to vote in the October 5 election. For his inaugural address, Paul Young, the 65th Mayor of Memphis, was joined on stage by his wife Dr. Jamita Smith Young and their two children. During his speech, he acknowledged his predecessors outgoing Mayor Jim Strickland and former Mayor AC Wharton. Young called on every citizen to step up to begin a new chapter in Memphis history and to help make Memphis, with the largest black population in Tennessee, “a stronger city” – “the cleanest” city” with “the fastest growing economy.” Calling for a fresh start and fresh ener-
Memphis City Councilman JB Smiley, Jr. was also installed at the new Chairman of the Memphis City Council. “The city has been stagnant for too long,” Smiley said during his remarks. gy, he challenged his audience. He stated that “we” are standing in the future right now and will become “a stronger, more connected Memphis. “It will happen,” Young said. The ceremony also included the swearing-in of new Memphis City Council Chairman J.B. Smiley, Jr. “The city has been stagnant for too long,” Smiley said, asking that the incoming council be judged by “our efforts” and “not by our predecessors.” Smiley also promised that this council will be “partners in progress” and “will collaborate and work to bring Memphis forward . . . in a more prosperous direction.”
For the first time in Memphis history, women will make up a majority of the council. Memphis City Council members sworn in Monday were: Ford Canale, Chase Carlisle, Edmund H. Ford Sr., Jerri Green, Rhonda Logan, Philip Spinosa, Yolanda Cooper-Sutton, Michalyn Easter-Thomas, Pearl Eva Walker, Jana Swearengen-Washington, Dr. Jeff Warren and Janika White. In groups of three, each council member placed his or her hand on a Bible held by a family member and swore to do nothing to cause others to disrespect their position
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The Tri-State Defender
January 4 - 10, 2024
Page 2
NEWS
“It was rough. We’ve seen some terrible things. Sometimes you cry. Sometimes you get mad. You get up in the morning and say, ‘I ain’t going to work.’ And then, I see my kids. And I look at ‘em. And I had to go to work . . . because that’s the only way I could feed my family.” — Elmore Nickelberry NICKELBERRY
CONTINUED FROM FRONT with smelly slime dripping onto and into their clothes. Sometimes, before they could go into their homes after a hard day’s work, they had to step out of their shoes -- so they wouldn’t track maggots into the house.
“It was rough. We’ve seen some terrible things,” Nickelberry told StoryCorp. “Sometimes you cry. Sometimes you get mad. You get up in the morning and say, ‘I ain’t going to work.’ And then, I see my kids. And I look at ‘em. And I had to go to work . . . because that’s the only way I could feed my family.” How little respect did they get? Before the accident that eventually
launched the strike, there had been another accident that killed a garbage man. The workers complained, but nothing changed. Think about how sick segregation is when YOU GOTTA RIDE IN THE BACK OF A GARBAGE TRUCK -- A GARBAGE TRUCK! -- because you’re black. A few years ago, I touched on this for a video series we did called “History Hidden in Plain
Sight.” As we commemorate his death, take a few minutes to soak in some of Mr. Nickelberry’s lived experiences, the HISTORY he helped create. We’ve posted a few clips to get you started: Certainly, we’re not done fighting for justice and equality in America. “Black Lives Matter” is the new sign black folks are wearing on their
chests to declare their humanity to the world. But think about Mr. Nickelberry and the other garbage men the next time you’re dragging your can out to the curb. And if you happen to see some guys hanging off the back of a garbage truck, take a minute to acknowledge their humanity -- and to thank them.
Surrounded by his family, Paul Young takes the oath to become Mayor of Memphis, the fifth African American to hold the office. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The Tri-State Defender)
Memphis-based jazz legend Kirk Whalum performed during the ceremony -- and took a few seconds to give the new mayor a fist bump.
MAYOR
CONTINUED FROM FRONT and that they would faithfully perform the duties of their office. The inauguration ceremony also featured performances by Kirk Whalum and Effie Johnson, as well as a selection by the Tennessee Mass Choir. In the 202-year history of the city, only four other African Americans have ever been Memphis’ top elected official: • Mayor J.O. Patterson Jr. (1982), • Mayor W.W. Herenton (1992-
2009), • Mayor Myron Lowery (interim mayor, 2009) • Mayor AC Wharton, Jr. (20092015), who also served as Shelby County Mayor from 2003-2009. Mayor Young’s experience in city and county government spans 20 years. In 2003, he began his career as a planner in the Memphis Shelby County Division of Planning and Development. Later, he became a financial analyst and since then has worked in various aspects of city or county government. He was a financial analyst for Community Capital Memphis and has held
In groups of three, the latest incarnation of the Memphis City Council was also sworn in on Jan. 1. Pictured along with family members holding Bibles are: new Council Chairman JB Smiley Jr. (Super District 8-1); Janika White (Super District 8-2) and Yolanda Cooper-Sutton (Super District 8-3). several positions in Shelby County Government, including director of the Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development. An electrical engineering graduate of the University of Tennessee, Young earned a master’s degrees in both urban and regional planning and business administration from the University of Memphis. Before being elected mayor, he served as president and CEO of the Downtown Memphis Commission. Mayor Paul Young’s rallying call to all citizens is: “We Are One Memphis.” WREG TV personality Kontji Anthony served as emcee for the ceremony.
PERSPECTIVE The Tri-State Defender, January 4 - 10, 2024, Page 3
After-School Satan Clubs in our elementary schools? You can’t make this up! by Curtis Weathers
Special to The Tri-State Defender
When the news broke that Chimneyrock Elementary School in Cordova would be hosting an afterschool club called the After-School Satan Club, I was taken aback. The news of their intent elicited immediate and profound concern among parents, school administrators, and the broader faith community. The organizer, an organization known as The Satanic Temple, has tried to downplay the club’s incendiary name and imagery by highlighting wholesome childfriendly activities like toy drives and book clubs or advocating for noble principles like justice and scientific inquiry. For the record, I am a Christian, and I believe in all that is written in the Bible about the existence of the fallen angel Satan. However, this was my first time hearing about the Satanic Temple and its afterschool program. But I’ve learned over the years that if you live long enough on this earth, and you get to a point when you think you have seen or heard it all, along comes a program like The Satanic Temple’s
After-School Satan Club to remind you there is still more to come in life that can shock the senses. I never thought in a million years I would Curtis see a satanic Weathers organization openly and brazenly set up shop in an elementary school building with the intent of indoctrinating elementary school children with satanic beliefs disguised as fun and wholesome educational activities. You simply cannot make this stuff up! Already active in a handful of states – Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, California, and Michigan, the Satanic Temple’s After-School Satan Club is scheduled to begin recruiting children and families at Chimneyrock as soon as next month when students return from the holiday break. The After School Satan Club’s sponsors claim they do not believe in Satan as a magical or spiritual being, but instead use the name as a
metaphor for opposing mainstream religions. According to its website, the church’s mission is to “encourage benevolence and empathy, reject tyrannical authority, advocate practical common sense, oppose injustice, and undertake noble pursuits.” Sounds harmless, right? Let’s be clear, though, packaging activities and lessons under the dark banner of “Satan” cannot be sensibly justified in an elementary school setting, nor should it be passively tolerated. Regardless of The Satanic Temple’s desire to minimize overt spiritual elements or suggest they do not actually worship evil, the decision to invoke Satan in shaping young minds is reckless and an unnecessary distraction that stands to confuse impressionable young boys and girls during pivotal developmental years. As Christians, we are taught that Satan is a liar; in fact, he is referred to in scripture as “the father of lies” (John 8:44). This Prince of Darkness, Satan, embodies the polar opposite of the virtues Chimneyrock Elementary teachers and families strive to model for students daily.
While school leaders have indicated they are constitutionally bound to allow this club equal access, this does not mean public criticism or calls for greater discernment around approving such programming is unwarranted. Memphis-Shelby County Schools Interim Superintendent Toni Williams addressed the new afterschool program, making it clear that she and district leaders vehemently oppose everything about this program even though they can do nothing legally to prevent them from moving forward. During the meeting at the School Board, she and board President Althea Green made it clear that they did not endorse the organization nor support their beliefs. “I do, however, support the law,” Williams said, “and as superintendent, I am duty-bound to uphold our board policy, state laws, and the Constitution.” Satan is the most prominent symbol of evil there is on the entire planet and has no role in the hallways and classrooms of our schools. Parents already have voiced concerns that merely associating Satan’s name with otherwise normal activities like science projects or art
classes risks subtly shifting children’s moral orientation over time, even if it is unintentional. No matter how wholesome the sponsors of this program try to portray their satanic after-school program, it is in no way in the best interest of our children to support or encourage their participation. The school district may be limited in what it can do legally to prevent this organization from operating in our schools, but that does not prevent parents and community members from monitoring its activities and/or vehemently opposing and protesting its existence. So, while facing legal challenges and public backlash across the United States, after School Satan Clubs will continue their efforts to secure space in elementary schools in the United States and across North America. More locations may emerge as they pursue additional applications, but they should not be allowed to operate without persistent oversight, monitoring, and passionate protest. (Follow me, TSD’s education columnist, on Twitter @ curtisweathers. Email me at curtislweathers@gmail.com.)
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The Tri-State Defender
January 4 - 10, 2024
Page 4
RELIGION
Last Day of Kwanzaa shines a light on Faith at Abysinnian M.B. Church The start of a New Year also brings the final day of Kwanzaa, a celebration aimed at helping those across the African Diaspora connect with the music, culture and spirit of the African Continent.
The week-long celebration began on Dec. 26, celebrating principles of unity, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, creativity and purpose. It all concludes with a focus on “imani,” which
The center candle on the Kinara is black and represents the first principle of Kwanzaa, which is “UMOJA” or “unity.” Here, Lula Barnes and a young participant come together to light the candle, from which the remaining candles are subsequently lit.
Omar Baruti offers remarks during the naming ceremony.
means “faith.” TSD Photographer Gary S. Whitlow attended the Kwanzaa celebration at Abyssinian Missionary Baptist Church and captured the spirit of the day.
Renowned Memphis musician and African drummer Ekpe Abioto roused the packed sanctuary at Abyssinian while leading the “Libations to the Ancestors.” This part of the ceremony invokes the spirit of those who preceded us, both in our families and all the way back to The Continent.
Rev. Dr. Earle J. Fisher, Pastor of Abyssinian Missionary Baptist Church, brought a powerful message during a celebration on the final day of Kwanzaa. The annual celebration of African culture and philosophy culminates on New Years Day with a focus on “Imani,” which translates into “Faith.”
After the ceremony, everyone gathered for a photo as a show of UMOJA – unity.
The Tri-State Defender
January 4 - 10, 2024
Page 5
NEWS
Atlanta mayor taps Memphis’ Fouchè as chief communications officer ATLANTA — City of Memphis Chief Communications Officer Allison J. Fouchè will take on a similar role with the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced Wednesday (Jan. 3). Her effective date with the City of Atlanta is Jan. 8. Her duties as chief of communications will include developing long-term communications programming strategies for the Atlanta government and the city’s administration. A news release from Dickens’ office stated the mayor views Atlanta as a group project, and the Chief of Communications’ efforts to engage and inform the public are essential to the project’s success. “Allison is a proven civil servant and communications professional — having navigated a lot of similar territories in Memphis that we have had in Atlanta,” said Mayor Dickens. “As we begin 2024 with new initiatives and contin-
ue our ongoing work, she is well-equipped to engage and inform our communities. “We welcome Allison to our leadership team and look forward to adding her talent to our Administration’s work on behalf of Atlantans.” Fouché most recently served as the Chief Communications Officer for the city of Memphis, where she helped navigate city leadership through several challenges. She also spearheaded the redesign of the city’s website and orchestrated the comprehensive rebranding of the city of Memphis, introducing a new logo and refining the brand position to foster cohesiveness across all City Divisions. Prior to that role, she served as Memphis’ deputy chief communications officer, where she was responsible for the city’s marketing collateral and public relations for the COVID-19 task force and vaccine campaign.
She also has held the roles of marketing manager and community affairs manager during her career with the city of Memphis. “I am honored to take on the role of chief of communications for the city of Atlanta and I am committed to developing innovative communications strategies that not only connect with our community but also contribute to the city’s growth and success. “I look forward to leveraging my experience to ensure transparent and effective communications between the city administration and its residents,” Fouché said. Prior to her career in the city of Memphis, Fouché was a strategic marketing coordinator for Memphis Light Gas and Water Division. She also held communications roles at the National Civil Rights Museum and Chicago Public Schools.
Allison J. Fouchè Fouché is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and earned a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University. She has also earned numerous recognitions for her work, including 2019 Communicator of the Year from the National Association of Government Communicators, 2020 Silver Telly Winner for Local TV General-Public Service/PSA, and 2022 Woman of Impact from the American Heart Association, 2015 American Public Gas Association Marketing and Sales Award and Tennessee Governor Haslem’s Environmental Stewardship Award for Clean Air.
Former U.S. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Dies at 89 Johnson championed STEM, women’s rights, veterans, fair housing, transportation, and the Affordable Care Act throughout her career. By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Former U.S. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, a trailblazer and dedicated public servant, died at 89. Kirk Johnson, her son, confirmed her death on Sunday, Dec. 31. Johnson had been recently admitted to hospice care and left behind a legacy of remarkable achievements and contributions to the nation. Kirk Johnson highlighted his mother’s accomplishments as a trailblazer, public servant, and remarkable family member in a statement that the family released to express their sorrow over her passing. The family acknowledged the mourning of an extraordinary woman while celebrating her life and legacy. “I am heartbroken to share the news that my mother, Eddie Bernice Johnson, has passed away,” Kirk Johnson said. “She was a remarkable and loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother, as well as a trailblazer and public servant. While we mourn the loss of an extraordinary woman, we celebrate her life and legacy. She will be deeply missed.” The younger Johnson said funeral services are pending. Eddie Bernice Johnson was born to Edward and Lillie Mae Johnson in Waco, Texas. She graduated from A.J. Moore High School and earned her nursing certificate from Saint Mary’s College of Notre Dame in 1955. According to the Texas Metro News, Johnson furthered her education at Texas Christian University, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She earned a Master of Public Administration from Southern Methodist University in 1976. Johnson championed STEM, women’s rights, veterans, fair housing, transportation, and the Affordable Care Act throughout her career. She was a founding member of the tri-Caucus (CBC, CHC, and CAPAC) and the Dallas Coalition of Hunger Solutions. Noted Ambassador Ron Kirk highlighted Johnson’s numerous firsts, including being the first African American to serve as Chief Psychiatric Nurse at the Dallas Veterans Administration Hospital. In her political career, Johnson served in the Texas House and Senate, becoming the first African American woman in Dallas to be elected to office. When she went to Washington, she became the first registered nurse to ever serve
in Congress. She was an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Girlfriends Circlets, and Links, Inc. Johnson was the first African American and first female chair of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. She was Eddie Bernice also the first African Johnson American to serve as the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare regional director, appointed by then-President Jimmy Carter. Before her retirement, Johnson’s portrait was unveiled and hung in the Science Committee Room. The program for STEM women has also been named in her honor. Upon her retirement at the end of the 117th session, she was the oldest member of the House of Representatives. The Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford (NV-04) and members of the CBC issued a statement mourning the loss of Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. “Among her many accomplishments in the Texas State Legislature as a nurse and member of Congress, Congresswoman Johnson was perhaps best-known to those close to her as a mother, wife, and friend, and she will be greatly missed,” CBC members stated. “She leaves a legacy and a lifetime of public service that will not soon be forgotten.” They acknowledged her groundbreaking achievements, including being the first Black woman elected to Congress from Dallas and her role as the first African American and first female Chair of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Johnson’s impact extended beyond legislation; she delivered hundreds of millions of dollars toward revitalizing transportation in Texas, notably for the Southern Gateway Project and the DART Rail System. The DART and Amtrak rail centers in Dallas were renamed the Eddie Bernice Johnson Union Station in her honor. Johnson’s multifaceted career included being a mother, wife, and friend in addition to a public servant, leaving a void that those who knew her will feel deeply. “Her legacy as a trailblazer and advocate for justice, equality, and progress will endure,” CBC members asserted.
Arvin Glass in his Masonic regalia. Glass was a 33rd degree Prince Hall Mason and known among Masonic brothers as Sovereign Grand Inspector General.
IN MEMORIAM: Arvin W. Glass, Esteemed Leader and Community Pillar TSD Newsroom Arvin Wesley Glass, known to many of his friends and loved ones as “Clyde,” died December 17, 2023, following a brave battle with cancer. He was 78. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Glass was born on April 6, 1945, He moved to Wynne, Ark., during his teenage years and later served with distinction in the United States Army, achieving the rank of Sergeant. After his military service, Glass embarked on a remarkable career in Memphis, dedicating 25 years to International Harvester and 25 years to Federal Express as a Maintenance Manager. His efforts were pivotal to FedEx’s operational success. Glass was also renowned for his leadership in Freemasonry, serving as the 16th Most Worshipful Grand Master Emeritus of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Tennessee. His leadership extended to over 4,000 members, exemplifying his belief in the power of community and fraternity. Joyce Glass, his loving wife of 44 years, described her husband’s leadership best. “He was a perfect example of the truism
you can’t lead the people unless you love the people,” she said. “He loved people and people loved him back.” In retirement, Glass continued to contribute to his community, engaging in various roles including treasurer of the Bluebird Estates Neighborhood Association and board trustee at Southern Avenue Charter School. He was an active member of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church and devoted to his family and home. Glass had battled cancer multiple times over the years, fighting the disease into remission on three previous occasions. But on Dec. 17, he finally succumbed. Glass leaves behind his beloved wife of 44 years, Joyce; daughters Darriah (Greg) Miller and Komaca Glass; three granddaughters, one great-grandson, and a host of relatives and friends. His life was marked by his commitment to service, leadership, and the love of his community. Funeral services for Arvin Wesley Glass will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, 70 N. Bellevue Blvd., with visitation from 10:00 am - 11:00 am and services following immediately after.
SPORTS The Tri-State Defender, January 4 - 10, 2024, Page 6
The Forgotten Legacy of The Black Man Who Blazed a Trail for Stephen A. Smith and Others to Make Millions Sports Illustrated Names Deion Sanders Sportsman of the Year for 2023 by Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Contributor
New Colorado Buffaloes Coach Deion Sanders has been named Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Year.” After all the controversy that came with his decision to leave an HBCU, Jackson State University, Sanders remains a winner even after a losing season. The Colorado Buffaloes record is 4-8. But the excitement around the Buffaloes, despite the record, led to excitement for all of college football. Even though the Colorado Buffaloes did not make it to Pac 12 championship and have lost their last six games, Sanders’ short time as head coach has brought attention and money to a failing sports program in Colorado. Sanders’ son, star quarterback Shedeur Sanders, did not finish the season for the Buffaloes after a leg injury. But the excitement around Deion Sanders, 56, despite the team’s record, has been undeniable. Sanders’ had already been a legend because of his exceptional skills on the field and his impact on the sports world as a multisport athlete and a charismatic personality. Sanders was the first time two-time Super Bowl champion after winning with the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX and the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXX. Sanders was known for his exceptional speed and coverage skills, which earned him the nickname “Prime Time.” Deion Sanders attended Florida State University, where he played both football and baseball. In football, he played as a cornerback and a punt returner. He won the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back in college football. Sanders was also an outstanding baseball player, playing as an outfielder. He was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 30th round of the 1988 MLB Draft. Even after a season with an unimpressive record Sanders remains optimistic. “Coach Prime” is causing excitement in the same way he did at Jackson State even though the population at Colorado is only 1.3% Black. Sanders is promising improvement next year. (Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent investigative journalist and the publisher of Black Virginia News. She is a political analyst who appears regularly on #RolandMartinUnfiltered. She can be contacted at LBurke007@gmail. com and on twitter at @LVBurke)
Art Rust Jr. is their Curt Flood for those hosting talk shows about baseball and other sports. And, like most baseball players who reap the spoils of modern economics thanks to Flood, sports talk show hosts rarely, if ever, extend a thank you to Rust.
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
In the glitzy world of sports talk radio, where mega-contracts make headlines and charismatic hosts dominate the airwaves, there is an unsung pioneer whose name rarely echoes through the halls of fame. As Tom Brady secured an industry-leading $375 million contract with Fox Sports, surpassing his legendary playing career earnings, and Jim Rome and Stephen A. Smith rake in tens of millions annually, there’s rarely a nod to the trailblazer who laid the foundation for this now lucrative profession — Art Rust Jr. Rust was born in Harlem on October 13, 1927, and died in 2010 at 82. He was a maverick who changed the game of sports broadcasting. A graduate of Long Island University, Rust embarked on his broadcasting journey in the 1950s at New York radio station WWRL. His career included stints at WNBC, WMCA, and WINS Radio before he emerged as a pivotal figure with his groundbreaking show, “Sports Talk.” While today’s hosts thrive on multi-million-dollar contracts and extensive coverage, Rust’s era was vastly different. Before the 1980s, sports talk radio and general sports coverage were limited to brief segments on the evening news and sporadic radio shows. Salaries barely covered the gas and tolls it took to arrive at a dusty Manhattan studio. Rust’s “Sports Talk” was a game-changer, giving fans a platform to engage in conversation for three hours every night. Not to mention, guests would include legends like Muhammad Ali, Sonny Liston, and Joe DiMaggio. The “Walking Encyclopedia of Sports” finally had his moment in the spotlight during the tumultuous 1981 player/owner strike in baseball. Initially hired to host the Yankees pre-game show, Rust was on air every night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the summer strike, which birthed an all-sports talk radio show that captivated disheartened baseball fans and laid the groundwork for the likes of WFAN, which emerged in 1988 with an allwhite crew and not even a mention or an invitation to Rust. “Unlike today’s Sports Radio format, ‘The Art Rust Jr. Show’ was a lot more fan-friendly,” noted Steven C. Owens in an earlier piece for Medium. Rust’s wife, Edna, was an integral part of his journey, and her sudden passing in 1986 led him to honor her memory at
the end of each show with a heartfelt “Good Night, Edna Baby.” Rust’s impact remains undeniable. While Sirius XM’s Chris Russo, who got his big break at WFAN alongside Mike Francesca and others, raked in millions, Rust set the stage for their success. Steve Somers, a host at WFAN, acknowledged Rust’s role in shaping the station. “He certainly set the groundwork and the foundation for WFAN,” Somers asserted. Rust affectionately referred to left-handed pitchers as “portsiders” and Yankee Stadium as “the big ball orchard in the South Bronx.” In his 1976 book, “Get That N****r Off the Field!” he recounted experiences of being a Black man in the world of baseball, highlighting the racial challenges he faced. Longtime listener Alex Belth recalled listening to Rust in the early 1980s and how he tried to get up the nerves to call in and ask if Reggie Jackson would hit 500 home runs. “For years, I listened to Art Rust Jr. His voice was knowing and sure,” Belth recalled. “I felt safe in his company. Yeah, and Reggie got those 500 dingers, too.” In an era where sports talk hosts command staggering salaries, there’s little reminder of Rust, a Black man who sowed the seeds that both white and Black sportscasters are reaping. Some equate today’s hosts with baseball players who fail to recognize former St. Louis Cardinal great Curt Flood. Flood won seven consecutive Gold Glove Awards beginning in ’63 and hit better than 300 in six of his 12 years with St. Louis. Flood was also a key contributor to the Cardinals’ 1964 and ’67 World Series championship clubs. Flood, who, upon being traded to the Phillies on October 7, 1969, took a stand that would effectively end his career and change the sport forever.
Art Rust Jr. He penned a letter to Commissioner Bowie Kuhn in which Flood began his fight against the reserve clause, which bound a player to one team unless that club chose to trade or release that player. Free agency didn’t exist, so Flood decided to challenge the system. After Kuhn refused to grant Flood free agency, Flood filed a lawsuit against the Commissioner and MLB, alleging a violation of antitrust laws. The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court in 1972, and justices ruled 5-3 in favor of MLB. No active players stepped out to testify—or even attend—the trial in support of Flood. However, in 1976, the reserve clause disintegrated, and the groundwork for free agency as we know it today was laid. “The fact that Curt Flood, one of the best all-around players of his generation, was willing to risk it all for others is one of the greatest displays of personal sacrifice known to the sports world,” said Tony Clark, the executive director of the MLB Players Association, in an interview with MLB Network. Flood’s fight forever transformed baseball economics. The average salary of an MLB player in 2023 was $4.9 million, or about ten times the amount Flood made over his entire 15-year career. Art Rust Jr. is the Curt Flood for those hosting talk shows about baseball and other sports. And, like most baseball players who reap the spoils of modern economics thanks to Flood, sports talk show hosts rarely, if ever, extend a thank you to Rust.
“Unlike today’s Sports Radio format, ‘The Art Rust Jr. Show’ was a lot more fan-friendly.” — Steven C. Owens