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Pragmatic Obots Unite

Pragmatic Obots Unite

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Thursday Open Thread: Jim Crow Terrorism – What We Must Never Forget

June 26, 2025 by Miranda 110 Comments

These stories are so hard to read, but we must.

On June 12, 1945, Nicey Brown, a 74-year-old Black woman, died from injuries after an off-duty white police officer named George Booker forcibly entered her house and beat her with a bottle in Selma, Alabama.

The Browns’ Story

Nicey Carmichael was born in 1874 in Alabama to parents who were likely formerly enslaved. In 1890, she married Elijah “Liege” Brown. Together, they built a life as sharecroppers and raised a family despite the systemic obstacles stacked against them. Nicey and Liege worked hard, navigating the indignities of second-class citizenship while holding onto hope and dignity. By 1945, the couple was in their seventies, living in Dallas County, Alabama, with their grandchildren.

The Night of June 9, 1945

On the night of June 9, 1945, Nicey and Liege Brown were at home with their grandchildren when they heard a knock at the door. Nicey answered and found George Booker, a 26-year-old white police officer, standing on her doorstep. Booker, off-duty and drunk, demanded to know the whereabouts of Nicey’s daughter. When Nicey refused to provide information, Booker grew enraged and attempted to force his way into the home.

What followed was a horrific act of violence. Booker attacked Nicey with a bottle or club, beating her over the head. Liege, hearing the commotion, rushed to the front room and saw his wife being brutalized. When he attempted to intervene, Booker threatened him. Liege retrieved a weapon from his bedroom and fired at Booker, striking him in the shoulder. Despite his efforts, Booker’s assault on Nicey left her gravely injured. She never regained consciousness and died two days later.

On June 12, 1945, Niecey Brown, a 74-year-old Black woman, died from injuries after an off-duty white police officer named George Booker forcibly entered her house and beat her with a bottle in Selma, Alabama.

During the early morning on June 10, Officer Booker arrived at Mrs. Brown’s home unannounced. According to reports, when Mrs. Brown answered the door, Officer Booker demanded entry so he could speak with one of her family members. When Mrs. Brown refused him entry and asked him to leave, Officer Booker kicked in the door and began beating her with a bottle, fracturing her skull.

Lige Brown, Mrs. Brown’s husband, came to his wife’s aid and shot the officer in the shoulder in self-defense. The Browns’ two grandchildren were also home and witnessed the brutal attack on their grandmother. Two days later, Mrs. Brown, whose skull was crushed, died from her injuries, having never regained consciousness.

Officer Booker was arrested and charged with murder. During his trial in September 1945, his lawyer cautioned the all-white jury, “[I]f we convict this brave man who is upholding the banner of white supremacy by his actions, then we may as well give all our guns to the niggers and let them run the Black Belt.” The jury heeded this advice, ignoring eyewitness testimony and deliberating for only a few minutes before acquitting Officer Booker of all charges.

After the Civil War, the system of policing evolved as a way to maintain racial hierarchy. Though officers were meant to protect and serve their communities, in most cases police departments were restricted to white officers, many of whom used their power to subject Black people to indiscriminate violence. Officers who terrorized and brutalized Black people were rarely held accountable and were often instead exalted as defenders and upholders of racial hierarchy.

The Aftermath

Liege Brown, Mrs. Brown’s husband, came to his wife’s aid and shot the officer in the shoulder in self-defense. The Browns’ two grandchildren were also home and witnessed the brutal attack on their grandmother. Two days later, Mrs. Brown, whose skull was crushed, died from her injuries, having never regained consciousness.

Officer Booker was arrested and charged with murder. During his trial in September 1945, his lawyer cautioned the all-white jury, “[I]f we convict this brave man who is upholding the banner of white supremacy by his actions, then we may as well give all our guns to the niggers and let them run the Black Belt.” The jury heeded this advice, ignoring eyewitness testimony and deliberating for only a few minutes before acquitting Officer Booker of all charges.

After the Civil War, the system of policing evolved as a way to maintain racial hierarchy. Though officers were meant to protect and serve their communities, in most cases police departments were restricted to white officers, many of whom used their power to subject Black people to indiscriminate violence. Officers who terrorized and brutalized Black people were rarely held accountable and were often instead exalted as defenders and upholders of racial hierarchy.

The Legacy of Injustice

Nicey Brown’s death exemplifies the systemic injustice that defined Jim Crow Alabama. A white police officer beat a 72-year-old Black woman to death on her own doorstep, yet he faced no consequences. Nicey’s husband, who acted to protect her, was arrested and treated as a criminal. Meanwhile, Booker lived another 58 years, dying peacefully in 2003 at the age of 83.

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