Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 December 1998 — Page 2

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J»AQE A2

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY,

DECEMBER

4,1998

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U.S. Postal Service plans to

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issue Malcolm X stamp

The U.S. Postal Service announced recently it plans to issue a stamp in 1999 honoring Malcom X (El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz) as the 22nd stamp in its Black Heritage series. One of the most influential African-American leaders of the 1960s, Malcolm X helped shape the debate about race relations and strategies for social change. The stamp features a photograph taken by the Associated Press at a press conference in New York City on May 21,1964. The Postal Service began the Black Heritage series in 1978, as a way to commerate the individual achievements of African Americans. Other honorees in the series are: Harriet Tubman (1978); Martin Luther Jr. (1979); Carter G. Woodson (1984); Mary McLeod Bethune (I98S); Jan Metzeliger (1991); and Madame C. J. Walker (1998). Other stamps in the Black Heritage series include: Bejamin Banneker Whitney Young Jr. Jackie Robinson Scott Joplin Sojourner Truth Jean Baptiste DuSable James Weldon Johnson A. Phillip Randolph Ida B. Wells WE B. DuBois Percy LeVon Julian Dr. Allison Davis Bessie Coleman Ernest E. Just Gen. Benjamin O. Davis

HONOR Continued from A1

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'Whitfield shared several things in •common. They worked long hours rfv low pay, with no retirement. 'vTney were dedicated and they also Mfere the targets of hate mongers r that permeated the city at this time. I “It saddens me today as we -honor Officer Whitfield, a day on jthe threshold of the 21st century, ;that we brothers and sisters still ^confront the same hate and prejufdice that Officer Whitfield and tOfficer Raftery did at that time. ]The bullet that struck Officer tWhitfield on June 18,1922 stings 2each of us today as much as though rwe were there.” ; Deputy Chief Robert Allen Ishares Kestler’s concerns. As an ^African-American he feels that it £is time to look beyond the color ^barriers. Especially when it concerns the Indianapolis police de-

partment.

t “As an African-American I am -proud that we have righted a wrong fthat should have been done the day 2he died,” said Allen, “but as we •know the city was Klan held, racist and all those things. We know !that all those things that we suf•fered in 1922 can be erased, and {done and over. “We can no longer : look at color as an officer, we have

to look at blue.”

According to Mayor Goldsmith, the success of the city is based largely on the dedication of its public servants. He feels that the city : is built on it’s great diversity and fthat same diversity will aid it’s suc-

cess in the future.

Whitfield’s death, at a time (when racism seethed, was not (something to be overlooked. He fwas a pioneer of sorts, in the movefment to integrate the police force. •He had the courage to go outside toe boundaries set for Black offic- . It is possible that he knew before he accepted his new assignment that it was a suicide mission, maybe he decided to go ahead and aocqit the offer because he thought it could help bring about the end

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WILLIAM WHITBLlll M 18 8 5 • >.; “ 1 y c mmt

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services. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” said Rep. Julia Carson (DInd.) “I’m just disappointed that the community was not present today because (this event) underscores the courage of a Black officer before it became popular to^ be courageous and Black on the Indianapolis police department.” Whitfield finally received a memorial equal to that of his white counterparts. His story is finally Officer Whitfield WM awarded to*l*«o» the Medal of Velor. » l n,bl : ,h « l H,s * rave h f finally received a proper mark. of racism. Whatever the motive. However, too much time has many observers felt that i.t was passed to appeal for help in solvabout time. ing his murder. “Certainly it’s long overdue,”' “My grandparents told me a states Frank Anderson, U.Sj long time ago that the dead do not Marshall, Southern district. “He rest in an unmarked grave,” reshould have had the recognition . marked Officer Allen. “I hope toyears ago. But back in the 20s> day that officer Whitfield is restthings were a lot different than they* ing in peace knowing that his felare today. We’ve come a long way low officers have upheld his in issues such as this. I think the honor.” times were an explanation for (the The ceremony ended with a flag oversight).” folding detail, a bugler and a 2L“I think the unfortunate thing gun salute and the revealing of about it is, it didn’t come to fmi- Whitfield’s tombstone, which read: tion until just recently,” added “William Whitfield...first Black Deborah Saunders deputy chief of Officer to make the supreme sacthe downtown district and special rifice in the line of duty.”

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