Former mayor delivers story of love during slave times
by Courtney Scholari
reporter

Tales of a love between slaves and achievements of blacks in the United States highlighted a SE Campus presentation last week.
Elzie D. Odom, former mayor of Arlington, narrated Lift Every Voice, a documentary featuring photographs of his great-great-great grandparents.
The documentary was created by Linda Frazier, SE associate professor of history. SE Campus students assisted Frazier with editing and portraying some of the characters.
Lift Every Voice is the story of Jim and Winnie Shankle, two slaves who fell in love on a plantation in western Mississippi. They were married in a ceremony recognized by the slaves but not by the masters. When the owner discovered the marriage, he sold Winnie to a Texas slave owner. Four hundred miles separated them, but Jim ran away and traveled the distance to find his bride.
Winnie’s owner bought Jim from the Mississippi plantation owner so the couple, who eventually had six children, could stay together. After the abolishment of slavery, Jim purchased 4,000 acres of land in southern Texas and named it Shankleville. Still in existence, this small town annually celebrates Jim and Winnie Shankle.
Tying his presentation into the SE Campus celebration of Black History Month, Odom moved from his family history into a broader discussion of blacks in the United States.
U.S. history is filled with blacks who “resisted the wind of discrimination,” he said.
Odom recognized the achievements of Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, known civil rights activists.
“Martin Luther King’s civil rights activism will echo forever in American history,” he said. “Rosa Parks’ strong will and tired feet sparked a 381-day bus boycott.”
Turning to sports, Odom reminded students of the black athletes who made definite changes in the United States. Early athletes, such as Jackie Robinson and Wilma Rudolph, have served as role models for following generations, Odom said.
“[Rudolph’s] struggles have spurred black athletes to be in the front line of American sports,” he said.
According to Odom, Althea Gibson, a tennis star, paved the way for Arthur Ashe and Serena and Venus Williams.
Musicians, Odom said, have also had a great impact on American society.
“Stevie Wonder—he is blind, but he has never missed a beat,” he said.
Odom believes these blacks and others should not be forgotten.
“Their accomplishments, both small and large, are equal in strength and should be recognized not only for Black History Month but all year long,” he said.
Although he served in the postal service for 30 years and was the first black mayor of Arlington, Odom said he has had to overcome racism and bigotry.
One of the toughest times, Odom recalled, was when he had to tell his children their family had to leave a restaurant instead of eating there.
“I still do not have a good reason why [we had to leave],” he said.
Blacks are no longer restricted from public places, but they still face prejudice and discrimination, Odom said.
“Even now, though, there is still an adversity we as a city must overcome,” he said.
During a question-answer session, one student asked Odom why Arlington still does not have a public transportation system.
“I was told we will attract those kind of people,” he said. “I never knew of a bus as being a good getaway vehicle.”