(Photo of Gus Robinson at the Paul R. Jones Museum)
In 1956, Autherine Lucy made history when she became the first African American student to enroll at the University of Alabama. Though her journey was marred by violence and intimidation as the school’s desegregation efforts sparked protests and riots in the city of Tuscaloosa.
Amidst the chaos, local photographer Gus Robinson wielded his camera, capturing powerful images of the events that unfolded. His photographs have now been compiled in an exhibit at The Paul R. Jones Museum, serving as a stark reminder of the struggles faced in the fight for racial equality.
Robinson was a local Tuscaloosa-based photographer who served the community for over 50 years. He started his career working for the university’s Audio-Visual Department in 1953 and soon became a prominent photographer in the area.
Robinson’s photographs captured the people, places and events of Tuscaloosa, from local sports games to family portraits and historic moments like Autherine Lucy’s enrollment at the university.
He was present when Autherine Lucy became the first African American student to enroll at the university on Feb. 3, 1956, and spent the following days documenting the violent riots sparked by the desegregation efforts.
After the riots, Robinson opened his own photography studio on University Boulevard, where he continued to capture the history of Tuscaloosa until his passing in 2001.
In the wake of Autherine Lucy’s groundbreaking enrollment at the University of Alabama, local photographer Gus Robinson captured a series of powerful images and documented the violent events that ensued.
These photographs, known as “February 1956: The Photographs of Gus Robinson,” are now on display at The Paul R. Jones Museum.
(“Autherine Lucy Enrolls: 1956”- This photograph shows Autherine Lucy, the first African American student to enroll at The University of Alabama, walking into the school despite the protests and violence happening around her.)
Robinson’s photograph “Autherine Lucy Enrolls: 1956” is a powerful representation of Robinson’s work, capturing the courage and resilience of Autherine Lucy as she enrolled in The University of Alabama in the face of fierce resistance. The image of Lucy walking into the school, despite the protests and violence happening around her, is a reminder of the bravery it took for her to fight for her education. Robinson’s photograph not only documents this moment in history but also serves as a symbol of the fight for civil rights and racial equality during the Jim Crow era.
(“Klansmen Burning Crosses: 1956”- This photo captures a group of Ku Klux Klan members burning crosses at a rally in downtown Tuscaloosa, displaying their hatred and hostility towards desegregation.)
Robinson’s photograph “Klansmen Burning Crosses: 1956” is a chilling representation of the racism and violence that plagued the South during the desegregation era. The image of Klansmen burning crosses, a symbolic representation of white supremacy, highlights the deep-seated hatred and hostility towards African Americans and their fight for equality. Robinson’s photograph sheds light on the brutal tactics used to intimidate and oppress African Americans in the Jim Crow South.
(“Riots in Downtown Tuscaloosa: 1956”- This photograph shows rioters and Klansmen marching down the streets of downtown Tuscaloosa, waving Confederate flags and terrorizing the local community.)
Robinson’s photograph “Riots in Downtown Tuscaloosa: 1956” is a powerful and impactful representation of Robinson’s work during the desegregation era. The image of rioters and Klansmen marching through the streets of downtown Tuscaloosa, waving Confederate flags and spreading hate, is a stark reminder of the violence, intimidation, and terrorization that African Americans faced during this time. Robinson’s photograph captures the chaos and destruction of the riots as well as serving as evidence of the deep-seated racial tensions that divided the city and the country.
(“National Guard in Tuscaloosa: 1956”- This image captures the National Guard deployed to the city of Tuscaloosa to quell the riots and violence that erupted after Autherine Lucy’s enrollment at the university.)
Robinson’s photograph “National Guard in Tuscaloosa: 1956” is a poignant representation of Gus Robinson’s work, depicting the National Guard deployed in the city of Tuscaloosa to control the riots and violence that resulted from Autherine Lucy’s enrollment at Alabama. The image of the National Guard, in full gear, patrolling the streets, highlights the volatile and tense situation in the city and the efforts made to maintain order.
Robinson’s photo provides a visual record of the extreme measures taken to manage the tumultuous aftermath of desegregation.
(“Students Protesting Desegregation: 1956”- This photograph shows white students demonstrating against the desegregation of The University of Alabama, holding signs and expressing their opposition to the changes happening on campus.)
Robinson’s photograph “Students Protesting Desegregation: 1956” is a powerful representation of Robinson’s work, capturing the resistance and backlash that the desegregation of The University of Alabama faced from white students.
The image of these students holding signs and protesting the changes happening on campus highlights the deep-seated opposition and resistance to racial equality during the Jim Crow era.
Robinson’s photograph not only illustrates the tension and conflict that marked this time in history but also serves as evidence of the divisive attitudes that still existed long after the Civil War ended.
The exhibition also includes a contemporary response to Robinson’s work through the poetry of Jasmine Stansberry, Assistant Professor in the History Department at the University of Alabama.
Her research focuses on the Black Campus Movement, making her a fitting contributor to the exhibit. Stansberry’s poetry provides a modern perspective on the events and themes depicted in Robinson’s photographs and adds an emotional and nuanced layer to the exhibit.
By including this poetic response, the exhibition highlights the ongoing impact of Robinson’s work and the continued relevance of the fight against desegregation.
(“Life After Expulsion” by Dr. Jasmine Stansberry)
In Stansberry’s poem “Life After Expulsion,” the first line “The last shall be first” is a reference to the Biblical verse Matthew 19:30, which speaks to the reversal of social norms and the elevation of the marginalized.
Stansberry uses the phrase as a metaphor for the journey of Autherine Lucy, who faced exclusion and discrimination but ultimately went on to make a significant impact. Throughout the poem, Stansberry highlights the struggles and eventual triumph of Autherine Lucy in her pursuit of education. This is reflected in Gus Robinson’s photographs as they depict the protests, riots, and resistance that Autherine Lucy faced as the first African American student to enroll at the university.
Stansberry also mentions the University of Alabama renaming the Bibb-Graves Hall to Autherine Lucy Hall in Lucy’s honor, as a symbol of her legacy and contributions to the institution. This highlights how Robinson’s photographs have helped to preserve Lucy’s memory and impact to campus.
(“Black Girl in the Black Belt” by Dr. Jasmine Stansberry)
In her poem “Black Girl in the Black Belt,” Stansberry highlights the humble beginnings of Autherine Lucy, born and raised in the Black Belt region of Alabama, where cotton fields were plentiful and opportunities were scarce. Lucy’s family faced the hardships and struggles of living in this region during the Great Depression, but she remained determined to pursue a good education.
Stansberry’s use of imagery and metaphors, such as the “unforgiving West Alabama sun” and the “warmth of the soil” that Autherine Lucy felt as a child, paints a vivid picture of her rural upbringing.Stansberry also writes about the contrast between the innocent play and laughter between Autherine Lucy and her siblings, and the harsh realities they faced in this region.
This contrast is reflected in Gus Robinson’s photographs, which depict the stark differences between the privileged white communities and the marginalized African American communities in Tuscaloosa during the 1950s.
(“Education” by Dr. Jasmine Stansberry)
In her poem “Education,” Stansberry highlights the challenges Autherine Lucy faced in her pursuit of higher education.
The first stanza focuses on the determination and tenacity Lucy displayed in completing her studies at Selma University and Miles College, despite the hardships she faced. The use of language such as “sweat and tears” and “constant companions” emphasizes the struggles she endured to get a bachelor’s degree.
In the second stanza, Stansberry speaks about the challenges and opposition Lucy faced in attempting to enroll at Alabama.
The use of language such as “racial hatred” and “ire” highlights the deep-seated discrimination and resistance that Lucy faced in her pursuit of education. The poem then details the legal battle that was waged in order to secure Lucy’s admission.
This poem serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality and the importance of education in fighting discrimination and oppression.
The events depicted in the poem are reminiscent of Gus Robinson’s photographs, which document the resistance and opposition that African American students faced in their pursuit of education during the desegregation era.
