 "Photo: Aaron Gould/ The Olympian")
The Black Historical Society of Kitsap, Inc. recently gave a presentation on “The Sinclair Park Project” at Olympic College about segregation in Bremerton during the 1940’s.
Dianne Robinson from the organization demonstrated the interactive CD to students and others on Feb. 9 in the North and South Conference Rooms in the Bremer Student Center.
“This was a great opportunity to let others listen to the stories of what Bremerton used to be like, and how far it has come,” said Robinson. “It used to be significantly different than what we’re used to today.”
February is the time nationwide that Black History Month is celebrated, honoring many of the prominent leaders and figures who helped the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, including Martin Luther King, Jr.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, or NAACP, began in 1909 with the intent of eliminating racial discrimination and helped pave the way for equal rights amongst all people in the country.
The Sinclair Park Project highlights many of these problems our country was faced with during this transition, in which many blacks were treated unfairly.
“Times were much different back then,” said Robinson. “This was a time when African Americans were relocated to specific areas and didn’t get the same treatment as most people.”
Several people were present during the presentation that lived in Bremerton during that time, including Abigail Mills, a woman who felt the mistreatment of that time.
“I went to the doctor once when I had the measles,” said Mills. “They didn’t even want to see me. They wanted nothing to do with me.”
The CD tells of how thousands of blacks were recruited to the Pacific Northwest to work in the civil defense industry, and how segregation followed them.
“Our mission is to research and promote the rich history of African Americans in Kitsap County,” said Robinson.
Founded in 1982, the Black Historical Society of Kitsap, Inc. has inspired and educated many different audiences about the pioneers of the area.
Quincy Jones, a famous musician, producer and conductor, grew up in Bremerton during the 1940’s and also was affected by the segregation of the region.
“Everyone in the area felt in some way what was going on, no matter who you were,” said Mills. “It just says a lot when you even had someone like Quincy here during that time, and they rose up and became as great as they were.”
Although the times have changed since these events took place, many of the struggles and emotions that rocked the people of this time still weigh heavy more than 50 years later.
“I’m still reminded of it everyday, but it’s something you just deal with,” said Michelle Jones of Bremerton. “We just hope to inspire others with our stories.”
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