By: Jamia Shepard Founder/President of S.O.P.E. - SUPPORT OUR PEOPLE'S EFFORTS
Bill Moss - September 17th, 1935 - August 3rd, 2005
WHA-DA-YA-FEELIN? Deciding to display Photos in Newsletter, taken by 'yours truly' ...again...during
periods of yesterday, I spotted the late Bill Moss's photos. Can you believe it's been six years since his passing?
Six years...and I thought of the 'hints suggested' by some people in previous Newsletters that Mr Bill Moss should
be 'Honored' with a Building, School, Street, Church, etc right here in Columbus for his 'Involvement...His Advocacy..
his Stand...His Courage...His Wisdom, etc. But it's now 6 years...and 'nothing' (that I know of)...do you? Bill 'Fought
the Good Fight' for Our Children. He Advocated for Our Children. He Spoke Up for Our Children. Just that alone is
something we don't see much of now a days.
I make a 'Motion' that We carry out this Tribute to him. I'm sure the Youth that he 'Fought For' are older now, and will agree. I'm sure the Parents/Grandparents of Our Children will agree and come up with something. What about Bill's group 'The Friends Of Freedom and Justice'? I'm calling you out yall. I know when I took photos of you at a Rally held
for Bill, there were about 10 or so people who came forward. Brother Ajani (who we lost last year and miss) was one of them. He'll step up in Spirit. What exactly does 'Friends of Freedom and Justice' mean? What did it mean at the time
of formation? This is not the only thing he did. He did many things in his lifetime. So how about it?
As I've stated before in previous Newsletters. I wasn't residing in Columbus during the majority period that Bill was
Active in many things. I was around towards the end. I can say that I was 'Blessed and Honored' to have met him, become involved in his Fundraisers/Campaign Rallies, Testified during Hearings about the Stolen Election, take that Bus Ride to
DC with him and his wife Ruth (that Dr Bob Fitrakis initiated) to meet with the Senators (who would not meet with us) ,
make T-shirts for sale to help in fundraising and Tape/Photo the Community Meeting held at the Poindexter Towers (to try
to save it) that was aired Live on Tom Pope Radio that morning.
There's a number of people that I wish I could have met
that lived amongst us, and didn't get to...but this time I did. I Met Mr Bill Moss...and he really left a positive impression on
myself, as well as many others. Who are 'The Movers and Shakers'...aren't You? Who are 'The Powers That Be'?...aren't You. What Say You? What are you Called? Proove it.....
Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud,
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
William Ernest Henley
(Photo by Jamia Shepherd: Bill and Ruth Moss at Bill's Tribute, Visors & Photos on them -Made by Jamia Shepherd for Bill Moss School Board Fundraiser, Book written by Bill Moss-"School Desegregation-Enough Is Enough")
Journal
September-October 2005
In Memoriam: Bill Moss (1935-2005)
by Bob Fitrakis
September 8, 2005
Politicians in Columbus tend to be cautious and staid. And then there was Bill Moss ? the boss with the red hot sauce. Future generations will scarcely believe that such a courageous, unbought and unbossed man walked the streets of their fair city. Bill served five terms on the Columbus Board of Education. While on the School Board, he fought relentlessly for equality for all children and a quality public education. He was an uncompromising advocate for the poor and the disenfranchised and both a mayoral and congressional candidate. Moss repeatedly exposed corruption and sweetheart deals. His actions saved WCBE from being privatized and sold for pennies on the dollar.
But Bill was more than a political maverick. He was a soulful prophet who warned us of the shape of things to come. He was Columbus' Berry Gordy, producing some of the finest soul music in the city's history. His Capsoul record company stands as a monument to his creative genius. Bill could do it all. He was the Nassau Daddy of barbeque and one of the best damn disk jockeys in the city. The Reverend Moss also could preach a great sermon a la the Reverend Al Green and provide a rousing gospel music show to heal the afflicted and afflict the well-heeled.
Over the years, the Free Press has covered Moss' political endeavors. One of our favorites is an article entitled, "The Meaning of Moss" published in July 1993. The article concludes: "To understand Bill Moss, one needs to turn to the Book of Jeremiah. Moss sees the Old Testament tradition of the prophet ?howling from the wilderness' as his own political strategy. ?I am a strong believer in God. God has sustained and guided me,' Moss concedes." In the October 1995 issue, the article: "The Man, the Myth, the Mayor" captured Moss at his feistiest in an interview on his campaign to defeat Mayor Greg Lashutka. These and other Moss stories can be found in The Fitrakis Files: A Schoolhouse Divided. The Free Press honored Bill Moss with the Debs-Thomas award at our annual Libby Awards ceremony in 2002.
His last great battle was against high-tech Tammany tactics and old-fashioned political thuggery in the 2004 election. Bill testified on C-SPAN at Rep. John Conyers' Congressional election forum and he was the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging the Bush victory in Ohio. The record will show that it was Bill who filed the now-legendary suit, Moss v. Bush, that resulted in the first-ever challenge to an electoral delegation in U.S. history.
His legend and legacy will only grow in these corrupt and cynical times. Bill gave us hope and he will be missed. The Old Testament definition of righteousness was one who spoke truth to power. Bill was the most righteous man in Columbus. Rest in peace, Reverend Moss.
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