During the lunch break of the 40th and final day of Georgia’s legislative session, Georgia State Representative Roger Bruce was inside the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus offices taking pictures with their college interns. Bruce, a Democrat from South Fulton, has served in the Georgia House of Representatives since 2003. On Thursday March 28th at 11:59 PM, Bruce will retire from public service with immediate effect.
Bruce, a native of Harlem, New York, was inspired to get into public service after listening to a young man speak about what the possibilities could be in a post Civil Rights-movement world. The speaker offered him an internship at the Jackson, Patterson, Parks and Franklin Law Firm. The ‘Jackson’ in the law firm was a guy named Maynard.
“And when he decided to run for mayor, I wanted to get involved and I became the one that organizes on the college campuses to get the students pumped up to go and vote for me to be the first African-American mayor. I felt like I was part of history by doing that, and by getting others to understand that the process was through that time, you know, the way to change things was through the political process.”
Bruce would stay in Atlanta and enroll in Morehouse College. Upon graduation, he would work in Macon, which was worse than it is today. Upon arrival, he was going to be promoted into management positions. However, the company could not promote any white people without promoting Black people first. When he realized what was going on, Bruce spoke truth to power.
“I really appreciate all of that stuff that you just said,” recalled Bruce. “And I know I haven’t been here long enough to be able to demonstrate all of that stuff. And I know this is about complying with the Civil Rights Act. And you can’t promote any of these people in this room until I get promoted; in order to comply. I get that.
But let’s be clear: all those things that you said that I’ve done, I can do those things. I know I haven’t demonstrated yet but I know I can’t do those things. And I would have never had an opportunity to show you that I could do those things if not for The Civil Rights Act.”
Relative to history, Bruce is part of the generation directly affected by the efforts of The Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., C.T. Vivian, Ralph David Abernathy, and the giants of their day. During my conversation, we discussed the current quest by the far Right to rewrite that history and dismantle their work. Their demonization of diversity, equity and inclusion measures (DEI), their bastardization of Critical Race Theory, and the refusal to codify the John Robert Lewis Voting Rights act into federal law is based on their wishes to “kill history.”
“I have a theory that 100 years from now when none of us are here, Martin Luther King, was a white guy that was trying to help some Black people,” explained Bruce. They just change history. If they don’t like it, they change it. Or get rid of it.”
For the record, Critical Race Theory seeks to highlight how historical inequities and racism continue to shape public policy and social conditions today. The concept is taught in law schools. Republicans have argued that it promotes a distorted view of American history while vilifying white Americans.
“So there’s some people that are white and Black that gave their lives to change things in this country and to make life better for people,” Bruce continued. “And so when you ask me is the work done? The work is not done because there are still a lot of people that have not had an opportunity to be all they can be. And the country has not yet lived up to its obligation, in my opinion, to make sure that everybody has an equal opportunity to move forward.”
During his time in the House, Bruce underwent brain surgery, and still was able to participate during the legislative session. He learned how to read once again after a blood vessel burst in his head. Bruce was able to speak at his son’s high school graduation even though he had a pipe that drained fluid from his head. It was a testament that no one can set his limitations but only him.
Bruce also oversaw the formation of South Fulton, met with many leaders across the world, and even co-hosted a television show with State Rep. Derrick Jackson, titled ‘Under the Gold Dome.’ But as he departs the Georgia State Capitol for the final time, he says he’ll produce documentaries based on the Georgians that have made significant impacts on society. He will also be heading to Texas to spend time with his granddaughter, Nova, his pride and joy. But he leaves the House with one message regarding an issue near and dear to him: reparations.
“My challenge is that we step up once again and do the same thing for the descendants of one of the worst periods of our Country and State,” explained Bruce. “Slavery was real. It is still having an impact on this country and this state. I understand that Crossover has passed. But I also know, if there is a will, there is a way. Mr. Speaker, you can form a study committee to look at this issue, the impact it is having, and has had, and come up with legislation that can be introduced in the next session.
I pray we do what families do: step up, embrace each other, and help each other.”