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Reprinted with permission of the Meriden Record-Journal, February 7, 2005 1963
rally influenced local man to make changes in life WALLINGFORD — As a young man living in New York City, Wilbert "Robby" Robinson involved himself in the ordinary tasks of raising a family and working a variety of jobs to support his four children, but two events in the 1960s changed his life forever. In 1963, "my cousin invited me to go to this rally in Washington," Robinson said. "I had no idea what it was about, but he was one of my favorite family members so I wanted to go. It was one of the highs of my life." Robinson drove his cousin and three friends to hear Dr. Martin Luther King deliver his famous "I have a dream" speech before more than 250,000 people on the Mall in D.C. When they arrived, Robinson found himself with front row seats because his cousin was head of a black police organization in New York. "They marched us right up front, in the middle in front of the podium," said Robinson, 74, as he reminisced. "When (King) gave that speech, it went all through you. Since then, I have been very interested in the issues of the day, of the times." But five years later, Robinson's first wife died, leaving him to care for the couple's children. Robinson turned the tragedy into opportunity, using it as an inspiration to seek a better life for himself and his children. The family moved to Wallingford and settled on Clifton Street, and Robinson took a job making wooden molds at Plastic Industries. Although the job would eventually lead to him to become a carpentry teacher at the Cheshire Correctional Institution, the career from which he would retire, the move to Wallingford brought with it challenges, mostly related to race-relations. In spite of the racism he's encountered, or perhaps because of it, Robinson has courageously and consistently involved himself in the betterment of the community for people of all races. He helped start the town's Habitat for Humanity chapter in the early 1990s, serving as project manager and president before the group disbanded at the end of the decade, and heads the town's Coalition for Unity, a group dedicated to promoting diversity and awareness. "Robby's a very enthusiastic, loyal citizen of Wallingford," said the Rev. Brendan McCormick, vice chairman of the unity coalition. "There have been a number of racial incidents that would have embittered other people, but Robby has turned them into (positive) energy. I call Robby ‘Moses' because he has led us through many difficult situations." Some of the hard times include racist graffiti that was sprayed on one of habitat's projects, and two visits to town by white supremacist Matthew Hale, which the coalition was formed to counter. Yet societal and institutional racism have failed to deter Robinson, only adding to his resolve. After the vandalism at the habitat project Robinson was managing, his wife of 17 years Gloria Williams said she was concerned for his safety, but Robinson continued his work undaunted. Robinson's "always been a very concerned citizen," said Mayor William W. Dickinson. "He's been very instrumental in organizing and encouraging events and education on the importance of being an inclusive community that is welcoming to people of all different races, colors and religions." In addition to his work with the coalition, Robinson is collaborating with the town and Dickinson's office to create a booklet designed to help recruit more minority teachers and employees to town. The manual, which is expected to be completed this month, was initiated by Superintendent of Schools Kenneth V. Henrici, and was expanded to include the entire town at Dickinson's request. "The minority population in town is growing rapidly, particularly Hispanics, and the school system doesn't have enough minority staff," Robinson said. "I'm also trying to put together a forum with town leaders to let people know what we're trying to do in terms of minority outreach." Although Robinson said he has been the target of only four or five major incidents during his 37 years in town, he acknowledged his children faced more frequent discrimination while growing up in a mostly white community. "One of my daughters had some friends from Meriden come visit, and while they were walking back home, the police stopped them and escorted them out of town," Robinson said. "They didn't tell me that until they were grown — I would have really hit the fan." Still, Robinson said the top priority of the coalition is to address "people who have very strong feelings that Wallingford is not a friendly place to people who are different. "I've heard so many stories of what Wallingford is like all across the country," Robinson said. "We want to show people it's not as bad as it's depicted." As one of less than 500 black residents in a town of 43,000, Robinson would stand out whether he raised his voice or not, but McCormick calls Robinson's efforts inspirational. "He has a very friendly, outgoing personality," McCormick said. "He's a goodwill ambassador and a leader. He's able to look forward, and keep us looking forward, focused on the prize." Robinson's earnestness and sincerity come across immediately, but his face readily flashes a grin and he laughs easily once he has established rapport. "I think it's one of the gifts God's given him, to look ahead and use whatever energy is there and not get angry or distracted or give up," McCormick said. "He has a firm belief in the basic goodness of people." "He's a role model. He's looking to make a difference," said Dickinson. "Robby's willing to get involved and say racial equality and justice are important. He's willing to take the time and effort to encourage change." Yet behind all his activism is an ordinary man who received a vision to encourage people of all colors to unite at a rally nearly 42 years ago. Robinson hasn't lost sight of his past and of the charge he received to work for the betterment of all people. When asked how he wants to be remembered, Robinson simply said "as somebody who cares." |
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