A Legacy of Injustice: The Story of Arthur Ellington, Henry Shields, and Ed Brown - African American Facts Not Taught in Public Schools

Hook: “I want to tell you a story that’s going to be hard to hear. But it’s a story that must be told, as it reveals the ongoing suffering Black people still endure today in America. It’s a story both old and new.”
Main Point: This is the story of Arthur Ellington, Henry Shields, and Ed Brown, three Black men subjected to police torture, racially biased trials, and state-sanctioned violence. Their experience is representative of what countless Black Americans have faced in the past and continue to face today.

Early 20th Century Racial Violence: The South’s transition from public lynchings to state-sanctioned executions. This shift did not reduce violence but institutionalized it.
Police Torture: Police began to use physical and psychological torture to extract confessions from Black suspects, providing a veneer of “justice” while continuing systemic violence.

Kemper County, Mississippi – 1934: Known for extreme racial violence, Kemper County had the highest rate of lynchings in Mississippi.
The Crime: On March 30, 1934, Raymond Stewart, a white man, was found dead. Without evidence, police arrested three Black men: Arthur Ellington, Henry Shields, and Ed Brown.

Torture and Coercion: All three men were tortured until they “confessed.” The police and mob beat them mercilessly, knowing they’d face no consequences.
Mob Justice: A lynch mob surrounded the jail, and the police feared they would lose control. Instead of protection, the police continued the brutality.

A Sham of a Trial: In less than two days, the men were convicted by an all-white jury. The trial relied on the forced confessions, even though witnesses admitted in open court to beating the men.
Sentencing: The men were sentenced to death by hanging, with a predetermined execution date of May 11, 1934.

NAACP’s Involvement: The NAACP, under Charles Hamilton Houston and Thurgood Marshall, began to fight for justice, appealing the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Victory: In February 1936, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the convictions, ruling that torture to extract confessions violated the men’s 14th Amendment rights.

Plea Bargains: Despite the Supreme Court victory, the state of Mississippi refused to drop the charges. Fearing another unjust trial, the men agreed to plea bargains and were sentenced to prison terms.
Release: Ed Brown was released in 1937, Henry Shields in 1939, and Arthur Ellington in 1941.

Ongoing Injustice: This case symbolizes the ongoing racial injustice in America. Since 1989, nearly 4,000 people have been exonerated for crimes they didn’t commit, with over 50% being Black.
Conclusion: This story is not just about the past, but about the present and future. It’s a call to action to continue fighting against unjust policing practices and racial violence.

This breakdown provides a clear and structured narrative for your story, emphasizing its historical importance and its relevance today.