Dr. Marion Orr is a political scientist and the inaugural Frederick Lippitt Professor of Public Policy at Brown University. His publications include House of Diggs: The Rise and Fall of America’s Most Consequential Black Congressman, Charles C. Diggs Jr., which we discuss today. He also wrote Black Social Capital: The Politics of School Reform in Baltimore; and The Color of School Reform: Race, Politics, and the Challenge of Urban Education. Dr. Orr was awarded the Biographers International Organization’s Francis “Frank” Rollin Fellowship for his work on Congressman Diggs.

Orr’s book recounts Diggs’ early life as a son of the Great Migration, confronting racism as a young officer in the U.S. military, and his years as a successful funeral home director—“House of Diggs” was actually the name of the Detroit funeral home founded by his father, Charles Diggs, Sr. The book details Diggs’ election as the first Black Congressman to serve a majority-white district; his role at the trial of Emmett Till’s murderers; his friendship with Dr. King; his significant impact on federal civil rights policy, including desegregating commercial airlines and military bases; his role as founder of the Congressional Black Caucus; his fight against apartheid in South Africa; and his many other contributions as a public servant. If you, like me, knew nothing or next to nothing about Congressman Charles C. Diggs, Jr. before encountering Dr. Orr’s work, that may be partially because of the scandal that ended Diggs’ political career, which involved dogged targeting by another Congressman you’ve definitely heard of. We get into that too. 

If you’re as hungry as I am to be reminded about the role that Congress is supposed to play, this episode is for you!

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RELATED MATERIALS. My 2020 conversation with Dr. Errick L. Greene, Superintendent of Jackson (MS) Schools, is one of my all-time faves. To check it out, visit Leading with Mind and Heart: Errick L. Greene.

MUSIC. Point of Learning’s signature intro and outro are special instrumental versions of “Weight of the World” and “Villainous Thing” from Shayfer James’ 2011 album Counterfeit Arcade. All of Shayfer’s music is used by Point of Learning with the artist’s explicit permission. To find the latest tour and new release information for Shayfer James, visit his website. Special piano music for this episode was provided by the incomparable Gil Scott Chapman, who may be heard many summers as artist in residence in the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in Congressman Diggs’ home state of Michigan. You can read and hear more from him on his website.

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