Charles Neblett
Charles Neblett | |
---|---|
Birth name | Charles Neblett |
Born | 1941 |
Origin | Cairo, Illinois, Russellville, Kentucky United States |
Genres | A cappella |
Occupation(s) | Singer, civil rights activist, magistrate in logan county, kentucky |
Instrument(s) | vocals |
Years active | 1962–present |
Charles "Chuck" Neblett (born 1941) is a civil rights activist best known for helping to found and being a member of The Freedom Singers.[1][2][3]
Early life and activism
Neblett hails from
The Freedom Singers
The Freedom Singers were a creation of SNCC, and the group's goals were the same as its parent organization's.[5] They were formed in Albany, Georgia two years after SNCC, in 1962, with four original members. Neblett sang bass, performing with soprano Rutha Mae Harris, alto Bernice Johnson (now Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon), and tenor Cordell Reagon.[6] The first tour was planned by SNCC and lasted from December 1962 to August 1963.[7] The group's schedule was a busy one, and they sometimes sang as many as three concerts a day. Their venues included parties, churches, protest marches, universities, and even jails all over the nation.[4] The Freedom Singers were valuable to SNCC as one of their most successful fundraisers, but being a member was not always safe. Even in the north they sometimes ran into violent opposition, including Klan demonstrations during concerts.[5]
The group's repertoire consisted of freedom songs that had been written or adapted for the movement, including "We Shall Overcome", "We Shall Not be Moved", and "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize".[6] After the tour, the original group disbanded and was carried on by others. Beyond the 1980s the original four reunited to sing several times. The singers remained lifelong friends.[4]
As a member of the Freedom Singers, Neblett traveled through more than forty states and 100,000 miles, traveling mostly by station wagon.[citation needed] In 1963, the group performed at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.[6]
Other civil rights involvement
Neblett was a SNCC field secretary 1961–1966.
In all Neblett was arrested 27 times for his involvement. In jail he suffered much inhumane treatment, putting up with rotten food, beatings, and uncomfortably high temperatures. During this time he found strength in singing, and even composed while he was incarcerated.[1]
He has worked in the so-called "Black Bottom" neighborhood in Russellville Kentucky, preserving homes of black Civil War veterans, and helping young people to research their Civil War ancestors. He served as the first black elected magistrate in Logan County, Kentucky.[4]
Family
Charles and his wife Marvinia have four children, Khary, Kwesi, Komero and Kesi.[8] Charles' brother, Chico Neblett, was also involved in non-violent protest in Illinois.[5]
Chico Neblett was a Field Marshall for the Boston Black Panther Party until May 24, 1969, when he was "purged" from the Party along with Rene Neblett. The Neblett's were purged due to differences in the Panther Party's ideology and Chico Neblett's values that were affiliated with his SNCC background.
Contributions in later life
He was inducted into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2010.[9] That same year he was present at the 44th Annual Folklife festival at the Smithsonian. In 2014, he was a guest of President Barack Obama at the White House. Neblett was among many notable performers and sang with Rutha Mae Harris, Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, and Bernice and Cordell Reagon's daughter, Toshi. By this time, Cordell Reagon had died. Neblett also helped Michelle Obama run a workshop for approximately 200 children, among whom were Sasha and Malia Obama. Neblett was impressed with his reception at the White House, saying that he "realized the work done in the past was actually respected."[8]
References
- ^ a b c Asim, Jabari (May 17, 2004). "Charles Neblett, Fighting for Our Rights". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
- ^ a b "Music: Freedom Singers". Bernice Johnson Reagon. Archived from the original on 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
- ^ a b c d e f "Former Freedom Rider recalls civil rights movement at UW-W." Janesville Gazette [Janesville, WI] September 28, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. November 6, 2015. Web.
- ^ a b c d "Russellville's Charles Neblett: Founding Member of the Freedom Singers". WKU radio. February 11, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Seeger, Pete, and Bob Reiser. Everybody Says Freedom. W.W. Norton and Company Inc., New York City,1989. Print.
- ^ a b c "SNCC Freedom Singers 1962–1966". BlackPast.org. 9 March 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
- ^ Paige Rose, Leslie. (2007). The Freedom Singers of the civil rights movement: Music functioning for freedom. Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, 25(2), 59.
- ^ a b "Neblett a Special Guest at the White House" The Loga Journal February 10, 2010. November 6, 2013. Web.
- ^ "Announcing 2010 Inductees to KY Civil Rights Hall of Fame". Kentucky.gov. 2010-10-15. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
External links
- SNCC Digital Gateway: Charles Neblett, Documentary website created by the SNCC Legacy Project and Duke University, telling the story of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee & grassroots organizing from the inside-out
- Charles Neblett at the Jodi F. Solomon Speakers Bureau
- Stansbury, Amy (2013-02-14). "Civil-rights activist sings for freedom". Evening Sun. Archived from the original on 2014-05-05. Retrieved 2014-05-05.