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Activist Sandra Ever-Manly Wants the Records of "The Port Chicago" Mutineers Expunged:
In February 1998, Sandra J. Evers-Manly received a certificate of recognition from the California State Assembly for her work in bringing together a group of African American Seamen who served in Port Chicago, California during World War II. She has been leading a national write-in campaign and movement to have the President of the United States recognize the men who served in Port Chicago and expunge the record of those unjustly convicted of mutiny and/or who received less than honorable discharges by refusing to work with explosives after 320 of their fellow servicemen were killed in an explosion. 202 of the men who died were African American.
Michael Jai White ("Spawn"), Duane Martin ("Scream 2") and David Ramsey ("Con Air") star in "The Port Chicago Mutiny," a drama based on these actual events during World War II. The NBC world premier movie raises questions of honor, heroism and courage during wartime.
Interview with Sandra J. Evers-Manly:
Q: You have a regular job in addition to doing your volunteer activist work?
A: That's correct.
Q: Your regular job is a corporate director for Northrop Grumman Corporation but you are also the president Founder of the Black Hollywood Education and Resources Center based in Los Angeles? Is that the organization that brings you to this project?
A: Yes, that organization is a non-profit organization I started three years ago to assist American African film makers and students interested in the entertainment industry-to learn the industry and provide grants and other inked services to emerging filmmakers. And also, we try to do educational programs. After years of researching "Port Chicago," I felt it was an ideal project for us to undertake.
Q: When did you first hear about this project?
A: I first learned about "Port Chicago" in 1990 through my neighbor. Every Saturday, I would down to his home to get to know him and talk about how life was in the past. I found out that he was a seaman during WWII in Port Chicago. Every Saturday, I became more intrigued about this place called Port Chicago because I found out that I grew up about 10 miles from there. I knew about the town of Port Chicago, but I didn't know it was a military base during WWII nor did I know about the major blast that took place and that it was a major ammunition port for black seaman during the 1940's. I will never forget one of the stories he told me. He said he felt it was honorable to drop out of school to help fight in World War II. he said when he got to Port Chicago, his first reaction was "Oh My God! I won't be killed at war. I will be killed right here in Port Chicago." He said racism and treatment of black seaman were so frightening.
Q: You first learned of this in 1990, but at what point did you actually get involved?
A: Over the years I had thought about doing something and never did. I went home to Pittsburg, California, where I grew up, which is close to Port Chicago and began to find out more about it. I read the book by Dr. Robert Allen. In 1997, while planning what we would do for 1998 with the Black Hollywood Education and Resource center for Black History month, I thought "wow, wouldn't this be an ideal time to recognize the men that served in Port Chicago. So I set out to try to find as many of the blast survivors. I tried the Navy but got no help there. My neighbor, Bud, had lost contact with a lot of the remaining survivors. And then I contacted Dr. Robert Allen who teaches at UC Berkley and he gave me the names of three survivors and said to start there. I sent out letters to a number of individuals and was able to get two answers-Mr. Robinson living in Los Angeles and Robert Routh, both who had been in a documentary that had been done by an NBC affiliate out of Northern California. They basically did not have any contact with any other survivors. Dr. Allen called me again with a list of 30 men, the majority from Oakland he said I might want to call. So, I started writing 30 individuals, and a lot of letters cam back. Half of them said, "deceased, deceased, deceased." I was discouraged and thought, "Oh my God, a lot of these men have passed away without any recognition." Then, I came across a man by the name of Morris Soubelt out of Oakland. I had found out that he had been stationed at port Chicago for a number of years, and he gave me a list of individuals to call. I reached a total of 12 survivors. First of all, a number of the men were shocked about wanting to do something about Port Chicago. These men were fearful in that no one ever wanted to recognize the contributions of black seaman who served in Port Chicago. They had always been treated, whether they were convicted of mutiny or not, as criminals. So a number of men were really apprehensive to talk to me. Some refused the first time. I sent them each a letter about the Black Hollywood Research Center, what we do, and how we wanted to bring them to Southern California to honor them during Black History Month. Eventually after talking to them and their family members--about ten times each to finally get them on board--all 12 agreed to come in February 1998 to be honored. So we brought them along with their spouses or a family member to Southern California Science Center. We worked in conjunction with Assemblyman Rod Wright who is the assemblyman for that district. He allowed us to use one of the facilities to honor the men. We flew each of the men in. The bulk of them were here in California, two came in from Cincinnati, and one came form Oklahoma. And then we also brought in Mrs. Joseph Small from New Jersey. Her husband was considered the "ring leader" of the individuals who were convicted of mutiny. We wanted to pay tribute to him. He was one of the first individuals who wrote a book and had been willing to talk to Dr. Allen, when he started research for his book. A number of men, when Dr. Allen wrote his book did not want to be listed on record or refused to talk. They would not allow Dr. Allen to record them or interview them. But, Mr. Small did and we wanted to honor him because he was a beacon of light during a dark, dark era. I had no idea he had died until I contacted his wife about the program.
Q: What was the name of Dr. Allen's book?
A: Dr. Allen's book was called, "The Port Chicago Mutiny."
Q: After you had all of these men assembled, and you honored them in Los Angeles, what was the next step?
A: Several things happened. Have you ever got yourself involved with something that has become a part of you that keeps growing bigger than what you ever imagined? After we got Assemblyman Rod Wright involved, he said, "Wow, I think it's time to see if we could recognize these men in the State Capitol." We honored the men, and the next day, following the Los Angeles tribute, we flew them up to Sacramento, where for the first time, they were recognized at the State Capitol in a very moving tribute. Some of the men had never gone to the blast sight in 54 years, so we took them to Port Chicago following the Sacramento ceremony. It was a real emotional return for many of the men because some of them hadn't been there since the blast--not for 54 years. After that, we felt the we needed to start a national write-in campaign to try to get the President of the United States to recognize the contributions of these men. We strongly believe that this is a group of unsung American heroes who served their country with honor and distinction, but this country hasn't recognized them. We contacted Congressman George Miller, the Congressman in Northern California, to get the president of the United States, to expunge their records. In 1994, he started a major effort with Congressman Pete Stark and former Congressman Ron Dellums, both of Northern California, who had asked the Navy to review the convictions, and overturn them based on what they felt was racial prejudice. In January of 1994, the navy refused to overturn the conviction and as a result, that effort was stalled, but during the process, Congressman Miller was able to get a memorial established in Port Chicago for all men who lost their lives. Many of the men who were part of the original 258 who refused to load ammunition after the July 17, 1944 blast, received negative marks on their discharges, but there were a group of 50 men who were convicted of mutiny. We want to see their records expunged. All that the 258 men who refused to go back to work ever wanted was information on how the blasts occurred and change so that another blast wouldn't happen again. They had been working under unsafe conditions. We are advocating for all the men who receive convictions and negative marks on their discharges to receive honorable discharges and recognition for their honorable service, which helped win the war.
Q: How many of them actually went to prison?
A: 50, but 258 before the 50 were imprisoned on a barge like slaves. So, it started with 258, and then it went to 50. Yes, 208 went back to work after being told they would be killed by a firing squad.
Q: And the 50 served for roughly how long?
A: One or two years--it varied. A number of the 208 were shipped out to sea after the incident. A lot of them lost contact with their fellow seaman because of being placed in different parts of the fighting world.
Q: Where is this expungement now as we speak in early 1999?
A: A couple of things have happened. Certainly, we have the aggressive letter writing campaign going on, and as a result, Congressman George Miller feels that we have gotten additional congressional people who have signed on to join with him to get the records expunged. Also, he noted because of the grass roots efforts this time, the issue has gotten the attention of the White House. In addition, we were able to get a joint resolution out of the State California assembly and senate, which went to President Clinton asking him to intervene on behalf of the men. So through the efforts of Assemblyman Rod Wright, this was the first time in California a joint resolution was presented and passed with both Democrats and Republicans.
Q: Is this now sitting in President Clinton's hands?
A: This is now at the White House. What has happened since this time is that meetings have taken place with members of the White House who received a copy of the joint resolution and another letter from Congressman Miller, I can say that members of the White House staff are now looking at this case once again. In addition to that, we had a meeting with a law firm in Washington D.C., which is now looking at working with us from a pro-bono standpoint. We now want to take a legal route. That's kind of where it stands right now.
Q: So it's sitting right now with President Clinton.
A: I can say that it's certainly at the White House, and that they are very knowledgeable about it. Members of his staff have met with individuals who are trying to get their records expunged.
Q: So, we don't know when there will be any kind of answer on this?
A: That is correct.
Q: Why did this story, which certainly has dramatic possibilities, take so long to get made into a television movie?
A: You can also ask, "Why it is not in our history books?" Why is it that it took my adult life almost to learn about this incident? I didn't know about this story, and I grew up right near Port Chicago. I think that has to do with basically the history of our country. When it comes to race relations, when it comes to things that have happened in the past, America has not done a poor job documenting the history of black people and other people of color in our country, and I think that this is no exception. Do you realize this is the largest Military disaster on American soil? Bottom line, race.
Q: How did you feel watching this film being made?
A. I think one of the things that are so wonderful about this story is director Kevin Hooks. One of the first individuals who wanted to do this story was his father, actor Robert Hooks, but because of Hollywood's lack of interest, it wasn't done, and a number of other people over the years have tried unsuccessfully to get Dr. Allen's book made into a movie, as well, now it's a reality. So I think it's great that this story is finally being told after 54 years. It's close to the 55th anniversary. It's an unbelievable story. It's story that deals with some great men who served their country. So it was remarkable to be on the set and finally know the story was going to be told. Revelations Entertainment and NBC should be commended.
Q: What do you hope this movie accomplishes after it's been shown on NBC?
A: These heroes should be recognized. A great injustice was done in 1944, and we need to overturn that and bring about justice. I think it was Dr. King who once said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to freedom everywhere." I think the men of Port Chicago are victims of injustice and it's our responsibility, as a society, to make that wrong a right.
Q: Is there anything else you want to add?
A: One of the points is we talk a lot in this country about race relations. This year we've heard a lot about the President's panel on race and the President's initiative. I think in order for us to deal with our future, we've got to deal with the past. This incident is one of the greatest injustices of our past. From an educational standpoint, our children need to know about these men and that they are very honorable and amazing individuals if you meet them. Everyone in our country also needs to know these men's contributions to World War II. They helped in that victory. Lastly, I think everyone has a responsibility to make sure we recognize the diverse fabric of this country and I think that's what this is all about. That's what our movement and Port Chicago is about-- that we recognize our amazing history and make sure that everyone's counted. Lastly, July 17, 1999 will mark the 55th anniversary of the blast. We lost one of the men who had cancer. He told me all he wanted was to be recognized by his country for his work in Port Chicago, and service to this country. He wanted his records expunged. I do not want to lose any more of these precious men before they receive recognition. After all, they joined the Navy more than 55 years ago. All they wanted was to serve our country by going to the war. Instead, they were denied that because of their skin color, black. America must correct its wrong so that we can bring about some of the healing and unity which is greatly needed in our country today.