The Honorable Andrew Young
Hello again!
Life has been very interesting lately. Classes have been consistently meeting in person, leadership at my Institution is in the process of changing, lots of people are gearing up for homecoming, and the season is changing. I’m a lover of hot weather, but it is evident by the temperatures that the summer season I so dearly love has officially passed.
Last week my great grandmother passed away at 100 years old. I don’t not write this to bring forward feelings of sorrow, but I would like to express some highlights from her remarkable life. During the last decade of her life, she remained sharp and active. She worked out until age 97, ate solid foods of her choice with no help, and she was able to recall much of her life. She was truly remarkable. Her life was so much more that what I have shared, but I won’t stay on this subject any longer.
This week, my colleagues and I were tasked with researching Dr. Andrew Young in the archive. We watched an hour-long interview that discussed his youth as well as his professional life.
Andrew Young was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He developed a great focus for his academics early on. He graduated from Gilbert Academy at 15 years old and proceeded to receive an education from Dillard University for a year. After that, he went on to learn in higher education at Howard University in the fall of 1948. He received is BS in biology in 1951. He later went to attend Hartford Theological Seminary to earn his divinity degree.
During his time in higher education, he met many people who influenced him. One name that he mentioned in his interview was his college roommate Emanuel Latunde. He was said to have been very disciplined, well mannered, and intelligent.
In most of young’s professional life, he served as a pastor. He was also mayor of Atlanta (1984 – 1990), a United States Ambassador to the United Nations (1977–1979), and a civil rights activist along side Martin Luther King.
In Young’s interview, he was asked about planning for the civil rights movement. Young responded that lots of planning was done, but much of their time was spent reacting to unforeseen happenings. He even mentioned their venture to Albany, GA, my home town. Although he did not expound in it, I will provide a little back story. Albany Georgia is said to be the only city where Dr. King “failed” in his efforts with civil rights movement. Law enforcement in Albany did not allow much room for Dr. King to utilize his platform. He was put in jail immediately along with nearly 500 other activists. The law enforcement also made sure not to use harmful force. This watered-down King’s efforts completely. I have no doubt that this experience with odd and unforgettable for all involved.
In Young’s political ventures, he recalls receiving endless support from his community. In November of 1972, Young along with Barbra Jordan were elected the first black congressman since reconstruction. He made a statement that the election at the time did not seem ass historic as it came to be. From this comment, I concluded that Mr. Young is a very live in the moment kind of guy. He recalls the election day being very rainy and his supports still showed up to the polls which ultimately resulted in him receiving the position.
Mr. Young has married twice in his life time. First to Jean Childs Young, and second, his current wife Carolyn Young. He Ms. Jean Childs Young had two children: Andrew young III and Paula Jean. Today Andrew young spends his time doing public speaking, he is an author, and family man.
