Upon learning of the transition of Moses Freeman, Jr., I could not help but to look back at several well-known proverbs. Many derive from the ancient African wise sayings and traditions of old and are as follows:
“Giving is not losing, It is keeping for tomorrow.” “Mountains never meet, but people do.” “Two men in a burning house must not stop to argue.” “One hand is never enough to lift a heavy load.” “A person, is a person, because of other people.“ “Not to know is bad; not to wish to know is worse.” “If you want to go fast go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”
Moses Freeman, Jr., as many of us can attest, would often offer guidance, upliftment and encouragement which were in essence invaluable lessons of life.
By happenstance, several of those pearls of wisdom are immersed in the community effort to properly acknowledge the story of Ed Johnson and the completion of the memorial that bears his name. It also honors the efforts of his courageous attorneys, Noah W. Parden and Styles L. Hutchins.
Brother Moses had heard that the Tennessee General Assembly had passed a resolution, widely bipartisan and with no dissent, that paid respectful tribute to Mr. Johnson and his attorneys. He thought it was important to press forward with a mission dedicated to reconciliation, unity and healing. He recognized that it was an important indicator that we as a city and region were ready to move forward and build up what Dr. King envisioned as the Beloved Community.
Afterwards, Brother Moses advised me that there were several people that I needed to meet. He placed me in contact with Mariann Martin and Steve Derthick. The three of us arranged a meeting. Mr. Joe A. Rowe also attended this important session.
Mr. Rowe properly saw, as did Brother Moses, that the story of Ed Johnson was so profound and far-reaching in scope and nature that people across the nation, and indeed across the world, would want to learn from it. This led to the formation of an Ad Hoc group, the Ed Johnson Resolution Committee, which eventually evolved to be the Ed Johnson Memorial Project, which became a catalyst for advocating for a Memorial that honored Mr. Johnson and his attorneys. That group and the tireless efforts of many groups and individuals would be successful in fulfilling that mission. Yet, I do not believe it would have taken shape without the initial support of people like Moses Freeman, Jr.
I once mentioned to Brother Moses that I always tried to remind people of how strong of an early advocate of that effort he was. His simple reply was that such things did not concern him. He then went on to say, “ Let me tell you. Only the things you do for the Lord shall stand.” This lesson was profound and is one that has left an indelible mark on me.
It is also worthy to note that Brother Moses was in attendance for the Annual Ed Johnson Day of Remembrance this March despite near frigid temperatures. He commented on how important it was to remember each year or else the story may be forgotten.
There was another occasion when there was disagreement on the direction of the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March. Passions in the community were so high that many felt compelled to forgo participation in the March on that year. Brother Moses was adamant that we had to find ways to bridge the gaps and bring us as a community together. He reminded me that people can't help provide a solution if they don't first know that there is a problem.
One last lesson of life we learned from Brother Moses was why it was important to preserve our history. In the early 1980s, he was able to conduct an oral history with C. B. Robinson, who was the first black representative of the twentieth century for Chattanooga after over six decades of exclusive representation and disenfranchisement.
They would discuss why there was a need for Civil Rights and social justice in Chattanooga, including why Tennessee State University; the local black teachers association; voting rights; and organizations like the NAACP and Unity Group, were needed to help advance us as a community.
Another old tradition many of us have become accustomed to is that when an elder transitions from this lifetime, their essence is absent from the body, ascends to be one with the great cloud of witnesses, and is elevated to the rank of ancestor. And then for us, the living, we embrace the principle of Unbutu, meaning “I am because we were, We are because you were.”
We best honor them by pressing forward in their stead. We thank Moses Freeman, Jr. for thinking it was not robbery to impart wisdom and knowledge with many of us. Oftentimes, they were lessons of life that will not be easily forgotten.
Eric Atkins
Moses Freeman Oral History with Rep. C. B. Robinson