>) oO fy a Aa0 ~D2a 1) mm - now Hi ro) Het ZH MHe iB M@yaw a : Zonwnnm i. € > ™% fa © oma hoOUN fi A surveillance camera is fo- cused on.a cell door at Upstate Correctional Facility in Malone, , N.Y. Through the windo in the cell door, seen from a distance, two figures dart back and forth. It is difficult to determine what's going on until the voices are © heard. "Say uncle, motherf----er, say uncle," a man's voice demands. There is a muffled reply. "Say | win," the voice screams once more. Again the response os barely audible. Then, for the next 15 minutes, the two struggle with each other, their bodies flying from one end of the cell to the other. Finally, a guard arrives and watches the altercation through the window. After several minutes, he calls another guard, and the two of them witness the fight with no thought of inter- vening. By now, one of the inmates has been beaten to a _. « pulp and is almost unconscious. The cell is splattered with blood. Minutes later, six more guards arrive, along with a supervisor. . But they-refuse*to’enter-the«cell: until ‘the. victorious inmate slips his hands through the door to be handcuffed. Like the other two guards, they are all white. The fighting inmates are Black. While they await a response to their order, the don white smocks and plastic gloves. . They debate the situation, occasionally laughing about the ‘carnage on the other side of the - Steel door. When the rumble is -completely over, they move as a group into the cell, grab the ‘semi-conscious man and flop -him on a gurney. He is a bloody Could g mess, and within a few hours he will be dead. . With the injured man removed, they throw his mattress, pillow and other bloody articles out the door. They wait a few minutes and then the other inmate is ordered to the door, handcuffed, searched and taken away. - All of this happened on May 12, 2000. Last week, via telephone from the Clinton Correctional Facility, Donnell Brunson, one voice on the videotape, told his version of the incident during a conference call with his lawyer, Earl Rawlins, and the Amsterdam News. The problem started, Brunson said, when he was placed in a cell with a hostile inmate doing life for murder who repeatedly made sexual advances. "In our cell, the toiled and shower are open and you are not allowed to hang anything," Brunson ex- plained. "So each time I used the toilet or the shower, he would comment on my body, telling me I had nice legs and a shapely butt. I knew of his reputation for stabbing people, so ‘I knew. I had to be careful around him." The man had often bragged about his time in "The Box," a special housing unit comparable to solitary confinement, Brunson continued. "He had been sent there for beating one of his bunk mates," he said. “That is what he told me and during the hearing following his death, documents were presented to show what he said was true. "He also told me he had been in prison 16 years without a woman, and he wanted me to take care of his sexual needs." In 1938 their was a man named Luke Jasper Best that was reared near Ballard Crossroad on a farm Owned by his father. Luke worked in tobacco, cotton, and com, He finished grade school and he wanted a business of his own So, on weekends he would go to Crossroad where there Were four grocery store . At that sine pearls had few cars, Luke if wait around the store hi see anyone needed a ride to Greenville or Farmville. If so, he took them where they wanted to 80 for 35 cents per trip and round ‘tip for 70 cents. For approxi- ' Mately three years this was his 18 ie “Ee reenville and Bonners Lane | Darden and y area. Later in life, Luke chose to venture into Cab business. He never finished high school, but that’ never stopped him from wanting his own business, Later he purchased a better cab car. The cab number was no.34, He drove for a period of time and certain areas in the city he was not allowed. He was not allowed in The Riggs House, East Carolina College, and the Bus Station, He especially wasn’t allowed to pick up students that came in on the 4:30a. m. bus. Finally, Mr. Best consulted a lawyer, (Calvin Dish) — his priviledges. His path was finally cleared, Luke owned his own cab busi- ness in the name of City Cab, Being the first African American cab driver in Greenville, he en-. Best, countered several problems, He refused to give up! Latler he moved to Bell Cafe on Albemarle Avenue, where he became estab- lished. Luke's business grew by uards have prevented it? NEW YORK AMSTERDAM by-HERB BOYD is Brunson recalled.’"l told him F< | wasn't with that, that I didn't go. tha, way. As time went on he kept making sexual remarks, and: he even touched me a couple of ‘times. I told him to keep his hands off of me." When Brunson learned that he had a time cut and would be leaving soon, completing his nine-monthj sentence, his cell- mated became more aggressive. "He told me he was tired of } being a nice guy," Brunson said, | "and that when the lights went | out, my butt was his. Knowing this, | decided to keep my light on until | knew he was asleep. "It was about 2:30 in the morning and | had the light on and I was reading a book," Brunson went on to say. "Then he got out of his bed and cut the light off. The cell has two lights, one big one and one night light near my. bunk. Each time he cut my light off, I cut it back on. Finally, he stood in the middle of the room and said, "It's time to get it on." I told him if we have to fight, he'd have to come to me. He did, and the fight was on." re ac ¢ Brunson said that when a fight breaks out in a cell they don't come in until it's over. "With this in mind, I knew that if he knocked me unconscious he was going to rape me and possibly give me AIDS that wiuld kill me anyway. I knew I was fighting for my life," he said. "We were fighting and he penned me down in the shower," Brunson related, "and he was choking me and kicking me. | was able to get free for a moment and then he grabbed me by my hair-l wear dreads-and ANAFRCAN ANERICAN MAN Mr Luke Jasper Best leaps and bounds and hired many drivers and high school students as dispatchers. The business excelled and he bought his own place and became known through- out the County. He also had contracts with many businesses, such as the airport, and American Red Cross. Luke’s desire was to go foward! He made a great success! The City Cab is still in business today. They have nine drivers, ten cars and many dispatchers, Residing on the corner of Albemarle and Martin Luther King Drive. Services are 24 hrs a day 7 days a week, Luke’s motto was “A Winner Never Quits and a Quitter Never Wins!” On September 30, 1993, Mr. Best The business still goes on aay by his family and one brother, Even a th Luke had Hales mec ora thoughts, and greatly missed. Neighbor Council’ that later Ramada plaza Hotel. At 6:30 ft 3 a li tg atid imine Sih de tice Rk ilies i cael became the NC Human p.m. to 9:00 p.m., a Banquet C . . Relations Council. He is also —_will be held honoring "The Life élebration a former board member of the and Legacey of Dr. Andrew _ of the ws of Governors and East od (a sHayth cet Justice i Carolina Univeristy. en e, the Banque pene The planning Speaker. Also, selected par- Legacy of Committee has scheduled on ticipants will provide 3 min- Dr. Andrew A. Best —_—_ March 30, Friday afternoon, utes of presentations of Dr. 6:30 p.m. - 9:00p.m. at the Best's achievements of selected On March 30, 31 and —-Ramada Plaza Hotel of activities. On April 1, at 4:00 April 1, "Friends of Andrew...» Greenville, a teception BOnOt=..c:-PeMs, A MUSICALCOMe gi Best", coun fegional state "ING UF DESt'and jany Suc- Ceryreng POE and national health care:par- cesses. Participants will have ; held at Cornerstone Missionary ticipants will honor Dr. the opportunity to say “thanks' Baptist Church honoring Dr. Andrew Best. A local family and to share their stories and Best's rel accomplish- practice doctors with 46 years experiences with Dr. Best ments and work, of medical practice. Dr. Best Music and other entertainment ___ Invitations will be has provided the county, state —_—_will be provided. On March mailed to s throughout and nation with leadership in 31, Saturday morning, 9:00 the country to attend the ban- many human services areas. a.m. - 12:00 noon. The quet. However, the reception =; As a health/medical care Annual A.A. Best . and saicaleedgaous concert is leader, he assisted the former | Comprehensive Commuinity open to the public. chancellor, Dr. Leo Jenkins Health Screening will be con- Contact Persons are : with the establishment of the ducted. Volunteers from dif- Dr. Donald €. Ensley, 744- East Carolina University's medical school. He is known throughout the country as one of the founding fathers of the medical school. Additionally, Dr. Best served on the first state "Good ferent public health programs and medical students and local physicians will assist. Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m., a se- lected exhibit of Dr. Best's medical and community activi- ties will be on display at the 1109 (O), 355-9669 (H), Ms Gracie Vine, 816-7959 (O), 355-6572 (H), Mrs Shonoda Bullock, 328-4400 (W), 321- 5879 (H) “HUMANITARIAN” A TRIBUTE TO “Lillie Reid” Daughter of the late Mr. and became very active during the School were organized, After Mrs. Wille Monroe, the mother _time that the church was located _ the church moved to its present of Charetta Walls and the grand- —_ on railroad street and Rev. Tilllet_- location, Lillie got approval from mother of Billie Walls, was born _ was the pastor. She was instru- __ then Pastor Griffin to let her run in the town of Rowland, North mental in helping to organize a day camp to provide a safe ; Carolina in 1934, She is the and maintain the scouting pro- Christian environment for chil- oldest of ten children, three boys gram along with the late Bro. dren that became a great success. and seven girls. She finished James W, and Sis. Magdalene Lillie also got approval to start a high school at Southside High Grimes with Mr. Ray Parker as Christian environment for chil- School in Rowland NC and com- the scout master. Lillie worked dren that became a great success. pleted college at Fayetteville hard to help keep the scout min- _Lillie also got approval to start a State University with a BS de- istry in focus. She organized the Christian childcare ministry that in Elementary Education, girl scouts and provided many would provide services to the She worked in the Greenville outdoor as well as indoor learn- —_ parents in the church and the city schools as a teacher and li- . ing experiences that taught the community. She named it “The brarian for 25 years. students behavior, and survivor Children’s Learning Tree” and ‘Being a lover and a promoter _ skills many times using her own then it was “Billie After School of children, Lillie always stayed resources. There were times Children’s Center” nga willing, ready and able to sup- when she along with some of her . She served her family, friends, port and encourage children. friends, would go and visit the church and community well. In She encouraged them to learn —__ boy scouts during the weekend —_addition to all that above, Lillie and allowed them the opportu- of their camping trips to help out and her husband started a cater- nity to excel in whatever task if needed, This dedication ' service called Occasional they tried to undertake. earned her several awards for her ights which was also well re- After marrying the late hard work. ceived by the community, family Charles Reid, Lillie took it upon Under the pastroship of the late and friends, She has : herself to help raise her neph- Rey. O'Kelly Lawson, in the from teaching due to health si eg cena ane plaka a Aa ntenl problems but that has not ‘ losing their ts, Under n encouraging a group ! } Taian Ged paidance, cach OF concerned members to attend the them finished high school and, Nj ' several of them completed their college educations’. ha i ess Ceca 1 0} ae i - Missionary veer Church, one oe s leer was to Uncle Brock, ‘1 saw that 1 was ing. £ one who loves me dearly, | took advantage of my — ed me when in frocks, — a ceased — “g — sent me presen yearly. aid before him every plan, | | asked him for — I th He said, “I'll help you all | can, My lo But you ‘must be persistent.” But I’m determined yet to fly, Onward.and up forever. ¢ who oe us sly | Long. remembered it will be, How my heart rejoiced; I’1l not retreat, I will advance, : When this answer came to me;_. I’ll gain my expectation; eer te ede chance, by G.R. Whitfield” | did not eat a meal for days. _‘I’ Il master situations. Although | was quite healthy; With mind all raptured and When a boy my thoughts would amazed. | packed for Philadelphia. Correction . Issue / Feb 16th - Feb 23rd — a 106 Wig MCE bi oe oe y ; I ‘longed for education, But scanty means as we may say, Had blocked the situation. My yetcome there was a Very 44. GR whitfield's name was . 4 . ; grand, rinted as Mr George Raymon :went to union to begin, He knew I had no money; Whitf eld. In correction his name lientered there delighted; Placed $50 in my hand, is recorded as Mr George Roscoe “There I made many friends, | felt relieved but funny. Whitfield. Please do accept our . But found my life w was blighted. | left for Lincoln full of glee, _ My progress both i in books and | janded and was greeted, thought, | found it just the place for me, While there was ordinary; | here was kindly treated. most humble apologies. 2 A POEM : fs Tn tones of Uncle’s voice. 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