Kenneth Cockrel Sr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kenneth Cockrel Sr.
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| Member of the Detroit Common Council | |
| In office 1978–1982 |
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| Preceded by | Carl Levin |
| Succeeded by | Mel Ravitz |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Kenneth Vern Cockrel, Sr.
November 5, 1938 Royal Oak Township, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | April 25, 1989 (aged 50) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Sheila Cockrel |
| Children | 2 |
| Residences | Detroit, Michigan |
| Alma mater | Wayne State University |
| Profession | Lawyer, Community Organizer, Revolutionary, Politician |
Kenneth Vern "Ken" Cockrel Sr. (born November 5, 1938) was an important American politician, lawyer, and community organizer from Detroit. He was known for fighting for the rights of everyday people. Ken Cockrel Sr. served on the Detroit Common Council, which is like the city's main governing body, from 1978 to 1982.
He became well-known by winning big legal cases for people who were poor or working-class in Detroit. He also helped start important social and political groups, like the League of Revolutionary Black Workers. These groups worked to bring about big changes in society.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Kenneth Vern Cockrel was born on November 5, 1938, in Royal Oak Township. This was a poor, mostly Black community right next to Detroit. His father, Sye Cockrel, worked at the Ford Highland Park car plant. His mother, Cynthia Cockrel, was the first African-American person to graduate from Lincoln High School in Ferndale, Michigan.
When Ken was twelve years old, both of his parents passed away. He then moved to Detroit to live with relatives. Ken went to Northwestern and Central High School. However, he left high school in 1955 when he was seventeen.
After leaving school, Ken joined the United States Air Force. He trained to be a weapons technician and was stationed in Germany. In 1959, he left the Air Force and returned to the U.S. He then went to Wayne State University through a special program for adults without high school diplomas. He earned a degree in political science in 1964. Ken believed that law was key to fighting for fairness and justice. So, he immediately enrolled in Wayne State's law school and became a lawyer in 1967.
Community Activism
While studying, Ken Cockrel worked at the Detroit News to support himself. There, he met Mike Hamlin and John Watson. They were working to organize Black auto workers. They wanted to fight against unfair treatment at car plants. They also wanted to challenge union leaders who were not helping their members.
In 1969, Ken and many others formed the League of Revolutionary Black Workers. This group brought together smaller "Revolutionary Union Movements." One example was the Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement (DRUM). In 1971, Ken left the League due to different ideas and personal reasons.
After leaving, Ken and some others formed the Labor Defense Coalition. This group included people of different races. This organization was very important in helping to get rid of STRESS. STRESS was an undercover police unit in Detroit. Many in the Black community disliked STRESS because of its serious problems and unfair actions.
A Career in Law and Justice
In the late 1960s, Ken Cockrel helped start a law firm. It was called Philo, Maki, Ravitz, Pitts, Moore, Cockrel & Robb. This firm, which changed names over time, helped people and groups. They provided legal support to those fighting against unfair political and economic situations.
For the next ten years, Ken and his partners became known as champions for working and poor people. They won many important cases. These cases often put the powerful on trial, like the court system itself. For example, they challenged how juries were chosen after the New Bethel raid incident. They also successfully defended autoworker James Johnson. They even challenged the police in the defense of Hayward Brown and Madeline Fletcher.
In 1973, the Detroit Branch of the NAACP gave Cockrel a special award. It was called the Distinguished Achievement Medal. He received it for his legal work. He represented members of various social justice movements. These people often faced unfair pressure and threats from the police and prosecutors.
Serving on the City Council
In 1977, Ken Cockrel was elected to the Detroit Common Council. He ran as an "independent socialist." Many community members and volunteers helped with his campaign. They formed a group called the Detroit Alliance for a Rational Economy (DARE).
DARE was like a research team for Ken. They helped him understand topics like tax breaks for rich developers and corporations. They also advised him on public health issues. DARE was also a strong political group. They pushed for communities to have more control over important city services.
With DARE's support, Ken often stood out on the Council. He spoke up against Mayor Coleman Young's plans to work with wealthy developers. However, he did support the Mayor's efforts to stop police brutality and corruption. His close friend and campaign manager, Sheila Murphy, became his Chief of Staff.
Ken Cockrel became the most well-known and influential radical in Detroit. Even his opponents respected him for his intelligence and passion. He was very committed to fighting unfairness and injustice. However, he became disappointed that he couldn't use his Council position to improve the city as much as he wanted. Because of this, he decided not to run for re-election in 1981. He served on the Council until 1982.
According to Dennis Archer, who later became Mayor of Detroit, Ken respected Mayor Coleman Young. Even though they disagreed on many issues, they had a good relationship. Sheila Cockrel mentioned that Ken and Mayor Young were having dinner the week Ken passed away.
Personal Life
While at Wayne State University, Ken Cockrel met his first wife, Carol White. They got married and had a son, Ken Cockrel, Jr.. Ken Jr. later became the President of the Detroit City Council and then Mayor of Detroit.
In 1978, Ken Cockrel married Sheila Murphy. She was his longtime political partner and campaign manager. Sheila later became a City Councilwoman herself. Together, they had one daughter named Katherine, or Katy.
Katy produced a film that was shown at the 2019 Detroit Free Press Film Festival. It was called "Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win." The film tells the story of Ken's work against police brutality in Detroit. It shows how he helped successfully get rid of the STRESS police unit. The film won the audience choice award at the festival.
By 1988, Ken Cockrel had returned to practicing law. He rejoined his friend and former colleague, Justin Ravitz, at a law firm. He was even thinking about running for mayor when he passed away from a heart attack on April 25, 1989.
