REV. AL DIXON: “MONTGOMERIAN OF THE MELLENNIUM”

Someone recently asked me whom I thought should be named Montgomery’s Man of the Millennium. I thought for just a brief moment and told them who I would select. My choice was none other than Rev. Al Dixon. Why do I think Rev. Dixon deserves such a high honor?

Rev. Al Dixon’s ownership and continued publication of the Montgomery-Tuskegee Times are the reasons for my selection. Rev. Al Dixon has published this weekly African American newspaper for many years despite a lack of universal support in the community.

I am amazed that every African American household does not subscribe to this newspaper. I am equally amazed that every black business does not advertise in this newspaper. Many African American businessmen have complained that they receive minimal support in the African American community at the same time they fail to support the community’s only African American newspaper.

Each week I search the pages and peruse the advertisements. I am simply horrified at the number of African American eateries, grocery stores, hair style salons, physicians, attorneys, dentists, retail stores, insurance professionals, real estate salespersons, etc. that do not support this publication.

I am horrified at the number of educated African Americans residing in Montgomery that fail to contribute articles to the newspaper. Rev. Al Dixon has truly been a soldier without a sword. He has risked life and livelihood so African Americans in Montgomery could represent themselves in their own words and

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We must remember that from the founding of America’s first black newspaper, Freedom’s Journal, in 1827, black abolitionists like Frederick Douglas recognized the press as a powerful weapon against the enforced silence of slavery. It is my hope and prayer that the Montgomery-Tuskegee Times will one day under the leadership of the Dixon family becomes one of the most powerful and successful black-owned newspapers of all time.

One day I was walking down South Court Street praying and asking God to tell me what I could do to contribute to my community when Rev Al Dixon turned the corner walking. I looked at him and without hesitation asked him if I could share my free lance writings on a weekly basis with his readers. He quickly said “sure as long as you are consistent and meet the weekly deadline.” My love for and commitment to the Montgomery-Tuskegee Times has led me to share my free lance writings for well over a year without compensation. It is my way of giving back to my community.

Rev. Dixon is aware of the contribution that a strong African American newspaper can do for the African American community. Ironically, the Montgomery-Tuskegee Times in a sense became a victim of the success of the very movements it supported. The white press began to hire African American journalist and even compete for black readership.

If you are not a subscriber to this newspaper then subscribe. If you own a black business and do not purchase advertisement in this newspaper then purchase it. I salute Rev Al Dixon, Montgomery’s Man of the Millennium to whom we owe so much!

Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by visiting his web page at www.greggriffin.com