In introducing the award, Council Member Charles Barron described
Clarke as "not only one of the greatest historians, but an activist and
a pan-Africanist. He was one who lived and was willing to die for the
liberation of his people." About Mrs. Clarke he commented, "They say
that aside every great man is a great woman - and sometimes even in
front. So we're honored to have her here today."
Victor Robles, Clerk of the City Council, then read the proclamation.
It begins:
"WHEREAS: The Council of the City of New York is pleased and proud to
posthumously honor Dr. John Henrik Clarke for his exceptional life,
legacy and achievements to our nation; and
"WHEREAS: Dr. John Henrik Clarke's contributions to our nation and to
the African family are truly inestimable; his thoughts and opinions have
influenced several generations of African American leaders, and he is
considered by all accounts a pioneer in African heritage and Black
studies programs nationwide; and
"WHEREAS: An eminent historian, Dr. Clarke helped shift, refocus and
ultimately quantify our understanding of the African and African
American experience; as a scholar, his work has long been regarded as
central to African American curricula in universities across the
country."
The
proclamation goes on to state that Dr. Clarke was born in 1915, the
oldest son of Alabama sharecroppers. In 1933 he left the south for a
life of scholarship and social and political activism in New York.
Endowed with a rigorous, probing intelligence, he soon became involved
in social reform movements and joined a number of influential study
circles, such as the Harlem History Club and the Harlem Writers'
Workshop. He went on to study history and world literature at both New
York and Columbia Universities. He also developed important and binding
associations with prominent 20th century historians and social thinkers,
including Arturo Schomberg, Willis Huggins and William Leo Hansberry.
The proclamation continues, "In addition to his scholarly work, Dr.
Clarke was a prolific and gifted storyteller whose creative genius was,
in a word, staggering. He published more than fifty short stories, wrote
or edited over thirty books, contributed numerous articles and
conference papers on African and African American history, politics and
culture in leading journals throughout the world."
It concludes, "A self-taught, pan-Africanist academic who, along with
his wife, Mrs. Sybil Williams Clarke, made possible the conditions
within which the critical discourse of the African and African American
experience was given voice, truth and power, Dr. John Henrik Clarke was
a scholar, historian and mentor to thousands, a man whose legacy of
achievement will continue to influence and resonate deep within the
hearts and minds of future generations."
Mrs. Sybil Williams Clarke was then invited to say a few words. She
stated, "Today is a great day for all of us. I come from the island of
Jamaica and for you in this room who may not know the history of that
part of the world, Dr. Clarke said that he discovered in his studies
that the islands of Jamaica and Haiti laid the economic foundation for
Europe as it is today."
She said, too, "We are a people who come from all parts of the world.
Each one of us has worth and we should recognize in each other the
humanity that is in all of us, the genius that lies in every human being
if he's given a chance to fulfill it."
She closed by directing to the African American members of the City
Council an important saying of her husband: "Every person who has the
ability to lead or to participate in government should answer the
question, 'How will my people stay on the face of this earth?'"
The award ceremony concluded on a very nice note with the words of
Dr. Yosef ben-Jochannan - who is affectionately known as Dr. Ben. He
said, "You cannot speak truly about mankind unless you speak about
Egypt. The textbooks have to speak of Egypt because of Dr. Clarke and
others. I say we all need to speak lovingly about each other, and in
order to do this, study the works of Dr. John Henrik Clarke."
t a recent meeting,
the New York City Council awarded a proclamation posthumously to the
much beloved and respected Dr. John Henrik Clarke. His widow, the
Jamaican-born Mrs. Sybil Williams Clarke, accepted it, with Dr. Clarke's
life-long friend, the renowned Egyptologist and historian Dr. Yosef
ben-Jochannan, standing beside her.
