Civil Rights Leader charged with Incest

This news made me sooo sad. James Bevel, a former Civil Rights Leader has been charged with incest and unfortunately with his own daughters. It’s a crazy story but apparently this man had been molesting his child at the age of 6 and continued routinely molesting her for years. The abuse culminated with full on intercourse when the daughter was 15 (this took place in the early 90’s). As adults his daughter and two of her other sisters (he has 14!!!) confronted Bevel because of fears that he was abusing a younger daughter. A taped phone call was his undoing. In a 2005 conversation with the daughter he raped, he defended his actions, partially blaming her for not resisting his advances and shaming her for ‘fornicating’ –MSNBC
Let’s be clear of who this man is. He is not some small town, little know community leader. In the 1960’s he was one of Dr. King’s right hand men, he marched in Selma Al, confronted Bull Conner and helped to organize the “Million Man March”! I bet you $5 that he’s in at least one episode of “Eyes on the Prize.” And yet he’s a monster. This man committed the greatest sin a father could ever commit against his child! This man was a leader! He was a vital part of the “Million Man March”, a movement that was supposed to bring Black men closer to their families and children! Black people we must do a better job of choosing our leaders.
He’d been molesting that girl for that long, I’m sure that there were some signs but people either missed them or dismissed them. My heart goes out to the Daughter and her sisters. They are not only mourning the lack of a childhood, rape and incest; they have also lost a father. No matter what kind of relationship they had with him, they never had a real “daddy” to begin with. I can’t but think of the men in my family.
Growing up it was nothing for me to live in the same house with my Grandpa. Go to visit my father, or go sleep in the same house as my uncles. I felt safe. I WAS safe! Those men knew that it was their job to protect the women and girl children in their families, not cause them harm.

So with that I say this;
1. WE must ‘arm’ our children (male and female) with the tools to keep them safe- Sexual abuse isn’t talked about in a lot of black families (partially because sex in general isn’t talked about). This is our first mistake. Make sure that your children understand that certain kinds of touching is wrong and what people should not be doing to them.
2. Make sure that they know that they have the right to be safe- many people who keep quiet about abuse are told by their attackers “Don’t tell or I’ll kill”, your mommy, daddy, pet etc. Tell your kids that they have to tell no matter what and assure them that no one will hurt them or you. As a little both my mom and dad told me “don’t trust anyone who is willing to hurt you. Always tell us if something bad has taken place” I asked my mom, “what if they try to hurt you too.” She said “Trust me. I’ll kill them first.”
3. Be your kid’s ally- always listen to your child. Kids are very intuitive. Let them know that if something makes them uneasy they should tell you even if it does seem small or strange. And you make sure that you listen to them. I know you’re tired and you’ve just worked 12 hours but you must calm yourself and listen to what the child has to say.
4. Don’t rush to anger all the time- If you snap at your kids about little things then why would they tell you something big? Children and sexual abuse victims sometimes blame themselves for the abuse ( and many times attackers blame the victim to “shame them” into not telling) make sure that the children in your life know that you won’t be angry with them.
5. Trust your Instincts- DO NOT introduce every man you date to your child/children. DO NOT let just anybody watch your kids. DO NOT let your children run around the neighborhood. DO NOT let your kids go places with folks you don’t know or trust.DO NOT assume that just because someone is “kin” to you that you can trust them with children.( if Cousin ‘Twaune is kinda creepy or strange then run!)
That means even if your home girl from high school is babysitting for you, you need to ask her “are you planning on having company?” “Will men/people that I don’t know be at the house?” If you don’t like the answers then find a new sitter or keep your behind at home! The safety of a generation depends on it.

James Bevel Mugshot (AP photo)