BSC to Host Historical Drama
About 19th Century
WV Civil Rights Pioneer J.R. Clifford, Esq.

(Bluefield)—A most significant chapter in West Virginia history will come to life on November 30 when Bluefield State College hosts an historic reenactment based upon the life and work of J.R. Clifford, Esq. A seminar and discussion on issues of "Race, Law, History, and Educational Policy" as seen through the life of Clifford, West Virginia's first African-American lawyer and Civil Rights pioneer, will precede the historical drama. The seminar begins at 3 p.m., November 30 in the Hebert Gallery/Harris-Jefferson Student Center, with the historic reenactment program to take place at 7:30 that evening in the Basic Science Auditorium. There is no admission charge to either program, and the public is encouraged to attend.

This "living history" presentation focuses in the 1898 courtroom proceeding during which Clifford won a landmark civil rights and education case before the West Virignia Supreme Court of Appeals, on behalf oa a Tucker County (WV) African-American school teacher, Mrs. Carrie Williams. In that case the State Supreme Court declared that "discrimination . . . .because of color alone, as to privileges, immunities, and equal legal protection, is contrary to public policy and the law of the land.

J.R. Clifford will be played by Bluefield actor and historic reenactor Joseph Bundy. State Supreme Court Justice Larry V. Starcher will portray Justice Marmaduke Dent, who wrote the Court's opinion in the Williams Case. Dr. Brucella Jordan of Ansted will play Carrie Williams.

Sponsors include the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, Bluefield State College, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission, the West Virginia NAACP, and the Minority Lawyers Section of the West Virginia Bar Association.

September 28, 2004

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