The Legendary Alonzo W. Bates - Civil Rights Activist and Educator who Gave his all for his City of Detroit

 

In Recognition of Alonzo W. “Lonnie” Bates – October 7, 1939 to January 25th, 2024. 

By Richard C. Clement Detroit Alumni Chapter of Alabama State University 1975-1979 

The Detroit Alumni Chapter of Alabama State University sends our prayers and condolences to the family of Alumnus Alonzo W. Bates, Class of 1964. Mr. Bates was an education major who used his training to uplift his people and community. He was a star baseball player and was given the nickname of “Big Catch” by his teammates because of his stellar play at the catcher position.

As a student he marched along with warriors like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., fellow alumni member Dr. Ralph David Abernathy, and Reverend Jim Holley of Detroit, getting hit with jail time, shotgun pellets, tasers, water hoses, dogs, and other indignities because they were protesting unjust laws in America by means of registering citizens to vote in all elections. While protesting, going to class, and playing baseball, he became a proud member of the Beta Upsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

As an educator and board member in the Detroit Public School system, he inspired students with a mantra of: that in order to be great, just do something great for somebody else. (3)  

Some of us never got the honor to meet him in person however, if you were an employee and/or, a resident of the City of Detroit in the 1960 through 2005, his signature was everywhere! He was a big supporter of the Department of Recreations’ aquatics program as a manager and a joy to work with. He was a powerful man that initiated ordinances, laws, and policies that benefited citizens as a member of the Detroit City Council.

As Quoted in a Detroit Free Press Article of 1977(1)

“He was featured in the 1977 Free Press article titled: “Who is Alonzo Bates and why do people (mostly white) get so mad at him?” The subhead of the article said: “The outspoken school board member has made his share of enemies. But he can do no wrong for his mostly black constituents in Region 8.” The article went on to describe him as: “Outspoken. Outraged. Outrageous. At times Alonzo Winfield Bates seems to be the Adam Clayton Powell of Detroit schools, but it is a resemblance that is mostly superficial. Bates doesn’t drink, smoke or party, doesn’t go in for flashy clothes or fancy cars, and lives in a tumbledown neighborhood. He is, however, a powerful man, with a seat on the central board of education and the chairman of Region 8.”

His legacy must be remembered as a lesson on getting up after you have fallen down. After a further review of the treatment of Mr. Bates by the court, employees working remotely from the office and, failure to file a federal income tax return would not have been a federal crime. In retrospect $92,000 is a small amount of money for a 33-month sentence in federal prison.(2).

Just like a bank loan and bible passages, forgiveness is a healing of pain and, we must remember Alonzo W. Bates for his heart and dedication to better lives in his community. His efforts deserve respect and, the detailed analysis from scholars, students, the citizens of the City of Detroit and, all those he helped to make this world a better place to live in.

Rest In Power 

Alonzo W. “Lonnie” Bates, Alabama State University Alumni 1960-1964

The Honorable Judge Greg Mathis Tribute to Alonzo W. Bates 

References:

1. Deadline Detroit February 2024 Website https://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/31670/former_detroit_council_member_and_civil_rights_activist_alonzo_bates_who_was_convicted_of_corruption_dies_at_84
2. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Plaintiff, vs ALONZO BATES, Defendant Case No: 05-81027 Honorable Victoria A. Roberts – Sentencing Opinion https://www.mied.uscourts.gov/PDFFIles/Bates%20Sentencing%20Opinion.pdf 
3. Derik Williams – WVAS 90.7 Radio Host  2018-2023 – Derik TV sign off segment (D.TV.)
4. ML Elrick mlelrick@freepress.com / @elrick - Detroit Free Press "Time to erase some shame as schools play the name game" www.freep.com/story/news/columnists/ml-elrick/2022/12/04/its-time-for-detroit-schools-to-erase-the-disgrace-of-lonnie-bates/69692993007/