Slave Theater in Court, Preservation Effort Weak
[nggallery id=”21718″ template=galleryview] The fate of Slave No. 1 Theater in Bed-Stuy, opened in the early 1980s by Judge John L. Phillips, Jr., is still being decided by the probate court, documentary filmmaker and activist Mya Baker told us. The retired judge, who after being declared mentally incompetent lost control of $10 million or so…
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The fate of Slave No. 1 Theater in Bed-Stuy, opened in the early 1980s by Judge John L. Phillips, Jr., is still being decided by the probate court, documentary filmmaker and activist Mya Baker told us. The retired judge, who after being declared mentally incompetent lost control of $10 million or so worth of property in Bed-Stuy, was pronounced dead last February, on the same day a rally was scheduled to save his cherished theater, once a hub of black activism. “He didn’t really have any family members and he didn’t leave it to anybody, so it all depends on if they’re gonna take it or not,” she said.
Baker acknowledged that preservation efforts have so far received a tepid response, but a Juneteenth Festival to that end is still planed June 21. Online petitions such as this one, started last November to prevent its sale, have only a handful of signatures, and a myspace profile created for the theater hasn’t been logged into in six months. “Last week they had a play called ‘The Meeting Between Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.’ and it was a three-day run … I went on the first day. It was, you know, people, not that many people,” she said, sounding a bit dispirited. During the time Baker, 34, was most heavily involved with the theater, she said, “It’s just trying to rally the community to want to save it, that was the biggest problem.” This is in stark contrast to the energy that once emanated from the place. During the 1980s, when racially-motivated killings twice caused firestorms throughout the city, the varied factions of the black community needed a central meeting place, and that became the Slave Theater. While the name was intended as reminder of the injustices black Americans have endured, inside the walls are lined with portraits of prominent activists like Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who led movements to overcome those struggles. Baker said there are still efforts to sell the theater, and we found a listing online, albeit almost a year old. Meanwhile, the historic theater continues to play host to small events.
A Symbol of Activism Is at Center of Court Dispute [NY Times]
Slave Theater could be sold to pay judge’s ‘debts’ [Brooklyn Paper]
John L. Phillips Jr., 83, Civil Court Judge Is Dead [NY Times via mybedstuy]
The name is ignorant? Do you mean the name is stupid, or the person who named it was ignorant of the implications of naming it “Slave”? The name itself is not ignorant, only the person who named it is.
Did you name it?
That was cool thanks for the history.
I was born and raised in PH and I think the name is ignorant. Why not King,Ow Master
So the t’What is a former Real Estate Agent. Your story changes all the time.
You are the biggest piece of ghetto trash.
This neighborhood is changing, t’What and you have no say and no influence. Move out.
btw: I was getting an education in NYC – where I was born – while you were sitting in movie theaters instead of getting an education or a real job.
Ghetto
Ass
Punk
Bitch
“The name of the theater dooms it. Who wants to save the “Slave”ery theater. It’s absurd!”
Agreed. It’s SO shrill. Doesn’t appeal to the audiences or supporters with money, black or white, and doesn’t appeal to funders.
“I’d guess this photo was snapped circa 1971.”
Nope, mid 80’s.
“I remember seeing him outside the Slave one evening…big community meeting going on inside, maybe around the time of the Crown Heights shootings. It was also a popular venue for the Black Muslims, who generally wouldn’t let white folks in to their rallies.”
For one, please explain why… The case was they didn’t want to let reporters in so the bastards said crap.. I guess with name like WonTon you was cooking in back of the restaurant.
“Any financial partners out there? I have great ideas, I’m just broke.
What – that was great info.”
Thanks Morris. I wish I had the money to buy it. BTW When I was a Agent I met John L. Phillips Jr in 2004. He was living on Herkimer St bet. Nostrand & New York and by that time Alzheimer got the best of him. I look on his wall and you can see all of the accomplishments and Law Degrees. He was a good man….
“Starbucks, Banana Republic or a bank would be a better use of the space.
Fake What sounds like NOP.”
Yep Homeboy, I was in Bed Stuy and you was on the farm in Wisconsin humping little farm animals in the barn…
Come on Asshats The What is going to do you… Punk Anons…
The What (Reping BK!)
Someday this war is gonna end….
Unfortunately, the building is in disrepair. Unless someone has a lot of money to rehab the place – even before they do one artisitc thing – an arts center would be hard to create. If they tried to connect with the arts district in FG – which is a stretch – or Restoration Plaza complex – which is more likely – they could get something going. Given the rise of live music venues, e.g. Solomon’s Porch, soemthing along those lines could work quite well in this area, which lacks that kind of venue.
At the least, saving the buidling for any use over something out of proportion to the surroundings, would be a small consolation.
Hey, I remember seeing my first pair of(Pam Grier)tits on that great screen too. As a child I participated in a film on the life of Sonny Carson. The theatre was used as a luncheon hall during the filming. Rent the movie and you will see some great shots of the theatre and other parts of Brooklyn including a historic Gang fight in Prospect Park. Also, for those looking for some historical photos of Brooklyn including fabulous pics of the “El” that ran along Myrtle Ave than check out http://pcullinan.smugmug.com.
Black people hate remembering slavery–all Americans do. The name of the theater dooms it. Who wants to save the “Slave”ery theater. It’s absurd!
I grew up around here–was teen in the 80s & my cohort found the whole thing ridiculous.
Yeah but 2:07, those intelligent, well-monied people have many many many organizations vying for their attention and their pocketbooks. It’s not enough to merely exist a few blocks down the street from these people. It takes a well-run organization and awesome programming to get attention and support and keep it.