Dock J. Jordan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dock J. Jordan
Professor D. J. Jordan
Chairman of the Department of History at North Carolina Central University
In office 1918–1939
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Joseph H. Taylor
Dean of History and Pedagogy at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
In office 1912–1918
President of Kittrell College
In office 1909–1912
Preceded by	John Leonidas Wheeler
Succeeded by	Cadd Grant O'Kelly
Principal of Gray Street School
In office 1905–1909
Vice President of Morris Brown College
In office 1898–1905
6th President of Edward Waters University
In office 1895–1897
Preceded by	John R. Scott Sr.
Succeeded by	J. P. O. Wallace
Personal details
Born	Dock Jackson Jordan (1866-10-18)October 18, 1866 Cuthbert, Georgia, U.S.
Died	October 20, 1943(1943-10-20) (aged 77) Durham, North Carolina, U.S.
Spouse	Carrie Thomas Jordan

Dock Jackson Jordan (born October 18, 1866 – died October 20, 1943) was an important American leader. He was a lawyer, writer, teacher, and a strong voice for civil rights. He worked hard to make sure African Americans had equal rights and opportunities.

In 1917, Jordan wrote a letter to President Woodrow Wilson. In this letter, he criticized the president's policies toward African Americans. He also spoke out against a terrible event called the East St. Louis Riot. This letter was printed in many black newspapers across the country. It made some people in power worried about growing anger among African Americans.

Dock Jackson Jordan: A Champion for Change

Early Life and Family

Dock Jackson Jordan was born on October 18, 1866, in Cuthbert, Georgia. His parents were Giles and Julia Jordan. His father, Giles Dolphus Jordan, was born into slavery in South Carolina. After he became free, he registered to vote in Georgia. He was also a minister for 25 years.

Julia Elmira White, Dock's mother, was also born into slavery. She believed strongly in education. She made sure all eight of her children went to school. This helped them succeed in life.

Getting an Education

Jordan was a very dedicated student. In 1892, he graduated from Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina. He earned degrees in science and law. Soon after, he was allowed to practice law in South Carolina.

He continued his studies and earned another degree from Allen University in 1900. Later, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and was allowed to practice law there too. He even went to Columbia University in New York City, earning more degrees in 1925 and 1928.

A Career of Leadership and Teaching

Professor D. J. Jordan began his teaching career at Morris Brown College in Atlanta in 1893. He taught science and was the Dean of Law. In 1895, he became the President of Edward Waters University in Florida.

Jordan also got involved in politics. In 1893, he ran for a position in the state legislature in Georgia. In 1894, he spoke at a state meeting. His speech helped stop a politician who supported white supremacy from becoming governor. He was also chosen as a church delegate several times.

In 1897, Jordan returned to Morris Brown College. He taught literature and later became the Vice President and a math professor. He also taught at Clark Atlanta University in 1901. From 1905 to 1909, he was the Principal of Gray Street School. This was one of the first schools in Atlanta for African Americans. He also led Georgia's Association of Colored Teachers. In 1895, he married Carrie Thomas Jordan, who was also a dedicated educator.

Fighting for Equal Schools

Around 1900, D. J. Jordan worked with other leaders like W. E. B. Du Bois. They wrote an important appeal about schools for black children in Georgia. This appeal was shared with the Georgia Legislature. It was also printed in the Colored American Magazine.

Their goal was to stop a law called the "Bell Bill." This bill would have closed many black public schools. They showed how unfair the schools were. They used facts and numbers to prove that black schools received much less money than white schools.

They pointed out that black children made up almost half of the student population. However, black schools only had a small part of the public property. They found that for every dollar spent on schools, white children got 80 cents, and black children got only 20 cents. This argument was similar to what was used later in the famous Brown v. Board of Education case in 1954.

Speaking Out: The Letter to President Wilson

In 1909, Professor Jordan became president of Kittrell College in North Carolina. Later, in 1912, he moved to Greensboro, North Carolina. He became the dean of History and Pedagogy at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College (now North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University). He also created training programs for black educators in other states.

Jordan was known as a great writer and speaker. He wrote for many newspapers and magazines. These included The Voice of the Negro, The Colored American Magazine, and Baltimore Afro-American.

On July 14, 1917, Jordan's powerful letter to President Woodrow Wilson was published. In it, he strongly criticized the president's actions toward African Americans. He also condemned the government for the East St. Louis Riot, a violent event against black people. Jordan felt that African Americans should not have to fight in World War I if they faced such violence at home. He believed the president did not see black people as fully human.

This letter was reprinted in black newspapers all over America. It gained national attention. Some white leaders called the letter "dangerous." The Governor of North Carolina, Thomas Bickett, even sent Jordan's letter to the FBI. He also tried to get Jordan fired from his teaching job. Despite the pressure, Jordan remained on the faculty until 1918.

Leading at North Carolina College

Since 1914, Jordan had also been teaching at North Carolina College for Negroes. In 1918, he became the head of the History Department there. This school is now known as North Carolina Central University. He was the only history professor at the school until 1939. He also taught English and Government until he retired in 1941.

His Final Years

Dock Jackson Jordan passed away on October 20, 1943. He is buried in Durham's Beechwood Cemetery. He had six children, including Frederick Douglass Jordan, who became a well-known A.M.E. Bishop.

Lasting Impact

On October 18, 2021, the Mayor of Durham, North Carolina, Steve Schewel, declared "Dock and Carrie Jordan Day" in the city. This special day honors the important contributions of Dock and Carrie Jordan to their community and to civil rights.