Interview with Mr. Alton Brooks-102 years old 1/13/2024
By Rev. Brian K. Riley
Mr. Alton Brooks (102 years old) is a longtime community activist, friend to many, and a mentor to countless individuals. Mr. Brooks has a well-rounded foundation that includes spirituality, social justice and political activism and empowerment of people in the community.
Mr. Brooks has been my personal mentor for over 20 years, and he has definitely had an impact on my life. At the ripe age of 102, his mind is still sharp and continues to provide on-point advice. In speaking with many other individuals who has roots in New Britain, they all share similar experiences and feelings regarding Mr. Brooks.
Recently, I had the privilege and pleasure of visiting and interviewing Mr. Alton Brooks “aka”
Mr. New Britain, with members of his family present, it was like attending a family reunion. With this interview taking place just a couple of days prior to Martin Luther King Day, we had a healthy conversation about the Civil Rights Movement and local politics.
Mr. Brooks has had a very large reach and impact within the New Britain Community for decades. He worked with the youth by coaching basketball in the Church league, which was hosted at the New Britain YMCA, eventually the league was named after him. You can speak with anyone who was coached by Mr. Brooks and they all will tell you how blessed they were and how their lives were enhanced because of him.
Mr. Brooks is a longtime member of Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church where he served in key leadership positions at the local church as well as the A.M.E. Zion Denomination, his service to God and the church has had lasting impact on many people. He also, served as leader in the local NAACP Branch, where he served as Vice President and worked on discrimination cases.
He also, became a union steward at his place of employment, which positioned him to represent blacks and fight for equality in the workplace. He provided leadership and guidance to the Black Democrats of New Britain, he was very influential to the Democratic Town Committee of New Britain, local elected officials, as well as state elected officials. Historically, Mr. Brooks was the first President of HRA in New Britain. These are just a few examples of the committed work and service he delivered to the New Britain Community.
The question I asked Mr. Brooks was, what was it that gave you that burning desire to serve God, people, and your community?
Mr. Brooks began to reflect on his life at 102 years old, he began to explain how life was growing up in Woodson, Arkansas in the 1930’s, he experienced Jim Crow, the separation of the white race and black race and how there were separate rest rooms, also, having to sit in the back of the bus and not being able to eat at restaurants with white folks.
In 1942 as a young man Mr. Brooks moved to New Britain, in search of work, he explained at that time in Arkansas the only type of work was farm work, and he didn’t want to do that type of work. As he moved up North to Connecticut, he thought things would be different and better regarding racism. He quickly learned that’s things were not better. He described an experience he had in New Britain with two friends, one white and the other friend was black, the three of them had went to a bar together, they could not sit near the front of the bar and had to sit near the back. Mr. Brooks and his black friend had to wait a long period of time before being served, while the white customers were served instantly.
Eventually, he and his black friend was served. As they finished their drinks and they began to leave, the bartender broke the glasses they drank from, and the bartender said to them those glasses cannot be used again. This was an experience that stayed with Mr. Brooks, as he explains that he thought he left this type of treatment behind in Arkansas, which wasn’t the case.
As Mr. Brooks reflects in time and remembers those who he stood in the trenches with fighting for civil rights, he informed me that back in the day they were more unified. They were dedicated, committed, and they maintained their focus on their beliefs and the fight for civil rights.
Mr. Brooks credits his parents as the specific reason why he got involved with the fight for civil rights. He explains that his parents taught him and the rest of the family that were created equal to others, regardless of skin color or financial gains. He promised himself that he would fight for equality for all people.
At the tender age 102, he is still fighting in the trenches, his dedication and commitment to the fight, stands out in a major way. He is very optimistic about the current generation continuing the fight, as he continues to mentor many others and sharing his experiences and knowledge.
