“She came to my family member’s funeral.”
“She helped me with a problem I was having.”
“I needed help from the trustee and she was there.”
“She always greeted you with a smile.”
“She stood up for our people.”
That’s some of what people said last week about Julia Carson.
The eight days between the Dec. 15 announcement of Julia’s death and her burial with the full military honors of the United States was a jumble of emotions, not just for me, but also for our entire community.
Our “Afternoons with Amos” radio show and TV newscasts were filled with tributes to Julia Carson from those she helped and those who supported her over a remarkable 36-year political career.
Her red campaign signs adorned neighborhoods. People wore red I Love Julia buttons. IndyGo bus signboards displayed “Thanks Julia” and as her casket passed through the community, hundreds waved, saluted and stood at attention.
Julia was 33 when first elected to the Indiana Legislature in 1972. A couple of generations of African-Americans grew up to know Julia, support and vote for her. Julia nurtured her base by staying true to her roots, the forces that shaped her, her God and her people.
The ceremonies honoring Julia Carson mixed simplicity and pageantry. In an extraordinary courtesy, Gov. Mitch Daniels, Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman and their staffs, led by top aides Tony Kirkland and Virgil Madden, convened the machinery of government allowing Julia the extraordinary tribute of lying in state in the Statehouse Rotunda. After Abraham Lincoln, just eight Hoosiers have had that honor, with Julia Carson the first woman and first racial minority.
Transporting the departed by horse carriage is a tradition in the African-American community and national funerals. Both traditions merged as Julia’s flag draped casket was part of a military procession and community embrace from her Park Avenue house to the Statehouse.
It was the darkest time of morning, just before daybreak, when Julia’s family, neighbors, the powerful she made, campaign supporters and just plain folks gathered in front of her house.
Except for clicking camera shutters and whirring TV news helicopters overhead, there was dead silence as the Army and Air National Guard honor guard carried Julia’s casket from the hearse to the caisson. As they did, dawn broke. At that moment, Julia Carson ceased being a community heroine and became a national heroine.
At the Statehouse, the governor and lieutenant governor, sans coats, stood in 30-degree weather, hands over their hearts, as Julia’s casket was brought inside.
I marched into the Statehouse with the family. State workers watched solemnly, many leaning over the third and fourth floor balconies. Top state officials, including Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. SueEllen Reed, along with prominent Democratic and Republican legislators and officials gave their tribute and respect.
Teams of two soldiers stood watch as thousands streamed past Julia, resplendent in a soft pink suit, in a casket adorned with the seal of the House of Representatives.
Friday night’s packed memorial service in the Statehouse’s south foyer featured living Black history icons Rev. Jesse Jackson and former Gary Mayor Richard Hatcher along with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.
Speakers at both the memorial service and the funeral extolled Julia’s personal, humanitarian and political generosity. They included Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan, Tavis Smiley, Birch and Evan Bayh and very personal remembrances from Gov. Daniels who spoke of Julia’s kindness when his father died and Mayor Bart Peterson, who wouldn’t have been mayor without her.
It was inevitable that the politics of succession would surface during the sad week. It was hinted at during Friday’s memorial service, but came out into open at the funeral as the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus; Congresswoman Carolyn Kilpatrick brought politics out into the open.
Declaring that she’d spoken to Julia in her final days, Kilpatrick said that it was Julia’s “wish” that her grandson Andre succeed her.
Kilpatrick’s words struck like a bombshell inside Eastern Star church and were greeted with strong applause. While I couldn’t see their faces from my broadcast vantage point in the rear of the church, others told me of the stunned reaction Kilpatrick’s words had on the faces of Julia’s would-be Democratic successors.
They were all present at the services: County Treasurer Mike Rodman (the only publicly declared candidate), state Reps. Carolene Mays, Gregory Porter and David Orenlichter, former Democratic Party Chairman Robin Winston, former State Health Commissioner and Wellpoint executive Dr. Woodrow Myers, City-County Councilwoman Joanne Sanders. They, along with Andre Carson, are the players in what will be a contentious process to select the Democratic candidate in special election (probably in March) to complete Julia’s 2008 term and in the May primary for the congressional term starting in 2009.
One other political note. While Mayor Peterson, who was very close to Julia, had prominent roles in Julia’s memorial service and funeral, his successor, Greg Ballard, surprised many by what he did.
The mayor-elect came to the Carson home, watched her casket placed in the caisson and marched the entire three-mile procession to the Statehouse. Ballard arrived at Eastern Star for the funeral around 9:15 a.m. and stayed throughout. Many Black leaders and Democratic Party honchos were stunned by Ballard’s two extended appearances of respect. Ballard continues to confound perceptions and expectations.
Finally, a word about flags. While hundreds of American flags throughout Indianapolis were at half staff in honor of Julia’s death; scores more refused to follow Gov. Daniels’ order to lower flags in respect and honor of a fallen member of Congress.
The governor’s order, made the day Julia died, covered state facilities. But there were egregious lapses. I had to call IUPUI’s top brass last Wednesday when I saw that IUPUI hadn’t lowered their flags. “Afternoons with Amos” listeners called out Wal-Mart, Shortridge and Arlington high schools and the Marion County Juvenile Center among other offenders. After my calls, the flags were lowered.
Major places refusing to lower their flags: Glendale Mall, Murat Shrine, Tyndall Armory and virtually all Indy car dealers.
Many who violated the Flag Code by refusing to lower their flags are those who’d demand a Constitutional Amendment banning flag burning and desecration. But they exhibited flag desecration by refusing to follow custom and code by lowering Old Glory in honor of Julia Carson.
Shame on them!
Happy New Year and see ‘ya next week!
Amos Brown’s opinions are not necessarily those of the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. You can contact him at (317) 221-0915 or by e-mail at ACBROWN@AOL.COM.
