#AnneMoody
NOTE: Ms.
Frances Alexander, retired school principal, recently shared with me a profile
of Anselm Joseph Finch, who is believed to be “Principal Willis” of “Willis
High School” in Anne Moody’s Coming of
Age in Mississippi. The profile appeared in the May 1965 issue of The Sphinx
(page 30), a publication of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. The magazine also
features a poem by Finch titled, "GUIDE and LIGHT." Although many, including Moody,
labeled Finch an “Uncle Tom,” a review of his writings might lead one to believe
that such a label was probably unfair and not deserving. Finch lived from 1902 to 1969. He
established himself as a respected poet, speaker, pioneer educator and author. – Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D., chairman, Anne
Moody History Project
 |
| Anselm J. Finch (1902-1969) |
BROTHER ANSELM
JOSEPH FINCH
Bro. Anselm Joseph Finch
was born in Brandon, Mississippi. He is a graduate of the Utica Institute,
Campbell College, and Rust College, all Mississippi schools. He is also a
graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
He was at one time a special student under Dr. George Washington Carver. He assisted the late Principal J. E. Johnson of the Prentiss (Miss.). Institute in starting the Oak Park School in Laurel.
He later established the Finch High School, Centreville, Miss., which was the first high school in Wilkinson County for Negroes.
For many years he did publicity work for Bishop S. L. Greene, Perry W. Howard and the fraternal leader, John L. Webb.
He was one of the four Mississippi leaders selected by the state department of education to appear before the late Governor Paul B. Johnson, Sr., in seeking a training school for Negro delinquents and the acceptance of Jackson College by the state; thus creating a state school.
Bro. Finch has served as Vice President of the Mississippi Teachers Association.
He is author of the famous poems, “Wake Up – Justice,” and “I’m A Negro.”
While a student at Northwestern, Bro. Finch was one of the three representatives of the Department of Educational Psychology named to interview prospective teachers for the Illinois Civil Service Commission.
He is a member of the American Association of School Administrators, Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity, and a life member of the American Teachers Association; also a Mason and a Shriner.
Presently he is Principal of the Wilkinson County Training School, the largest of its kind in Mississippi, located in Woodville. This school opened with 2,667 enrollment.
Finch died in 1969. He was buried in the Light of Liberty Cemetery in Brandon, Miss. A picture of his headstone can be seen here at FindaGrave.com
He was at one time a special student under Dr. George Washington Carver. He assisted the late Principal J. E. Johnson of the Prentiss (Miss.). Institute in starting the Oak Park School in Laurel.
He later established the Finch High School, Centreville, Miss., which was the first high school in Wilkinson County for Negroes.
For many years he did publicity work for Bishop S. L. Greene, Perry W. Howard and the fraternal leader, John L. Webb.
He was one of the four Mississippi leaders selected by the state department of education to appear before the late Governor Paul B. Johnson, Sr., in seeking a training school for Negro delinquents and the acceptance of Jackson College by the state; thus creating a state school.
Bro. Finch has served as Vice President of the Mississippi Teachers Association.
He is author of the famous poems, “Wake Up – Justice,” and “I’m A Negro.”
While a student at Northwestern, Bro. Finch was one of the three representatives of the Department of Educational Psychology named to interview prospective teachers for the Illinois Civil Service Commission.
He is a member of the American Association of School Administrators, Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity, and a life member of the American Teachers Association; also a Mason and a Shriner.
Presently he is Principal of the Wilkinson County Training School, the largest of its kind in Mississippi, located in Woodville. This school opened with 2,667 enrollment.
**********************
Finch died in 1969. He was buried in the Light of Liberty Cemetery in Brandon, Miss. A picture of his headstone can be seen here at FindaGrave.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
events in her life
history!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more information:
See the Anne Moody page here.
Questions about the Anne Moody History Project may be directed to Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D., via email at doctorbarnes3@gmail.com or roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com. For updates on Anne Moody history and the on-going work of this community service project, simply follow this blog or follow AMHP on Twitter (@AnneMoodyHP). #ComingOfAgeinMississippi
I remember Mr. & Mrs. Finch during the 60’s when he was principal of Wilkinson County Training School which is now Wilkinson County High School. My sister and I used to quote the poem “Wake Up Justice.”
ReplyDelete