TRIBUTE TO ATTORNEY ROMALLUS O. MURPHY
by
Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, President
North Carolina State Conference of NAACP Branches
King Ahab ruled over a political system wrought with injustice. When he met the prophet Elijah, King Ahab asked him: "Are you he that troubleth Israel?" Elijah's prophetic, moral vision of justice -- rooted in the laws of God --collided with the arrogance and oppressive rule of Ahab. It could be said that Attorney Romallus O. Murphy used the law and moral authority to "troubleth" North Carolina and the United States.
Romallus O. Murphy "troubled the waters of jurisprudence." He used the law to trouble those who would preside over systems of racist and legal injustice. Attorney Murphy stands in the long tradition of Charles Hamilton Houston, Thurgood Marshall and so many more NAACP legal practitioners, who refused to be satisfied in the face of social wrongs. He troubled the powerful. He troubled the protectors of racism by summoning them into the courthouse, and forcing their policies and actions to be examined under the microscope of the Constitution, which promises "equal protection under the law." He greatly troubled the powerful in this state and nation.
Surely they often said, "Who is this Romallus?", son of the South, graduate of Howard University, the powerful rules of North Carolina ask. Who is this challenger of the status quo at UNC Law School, always underfunded and outnumbered, who challenged our defense of the past, who dared to trouble us and challenge our power? Never turning back, Attorney Murphy moved steadily forward, often alone in hostile courtrooms. His necessary troubling helped transform the nation and continues to inspire us never to be satisfied with inequality.
Thank God for those who would trouble the nation for the cause of righteousness. Thank God for the meaningful accomplishments of Romallus Murphy that have improved the lives of many people across the State of North Carolina and across this Nation.
Romallus Murphy served as Chair of the Legal Redress Committee of the North Carolina Conference of the NAACP beginning in the 1960s. Over the last half-century he and the many colleagues he inspired and recruited to the cause, gave invaluable counsel to clients and young lawyers alike who were, and still are, engaged in dismantling the old walls that have divided people of North Carolina along artificial lines of color and creed.
Romallus Murphy was a native of Houston, Texas. He attended college at Howard University in Washington, DC, graduating in 1951. He started at Law School at Howard University, but finished his legal education at the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1956 where he was the lone student of color.
Attorney Murphy began his legal career in Wilson, North Carolina, the only African-American attorney in this eastern North Carolina community. Since 1956, Attorney Murphy was a "steady and ready" legal warrior and advocate for civil rights. He was never afraid to engage forces of repression and regression in the struggle to elevate the lives of African-Americans. From the beginning of his legal practice, he fought mightily to end segregation and was a substantial force in the enactment of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
In 1987, Attorney Murphy was legal counsel to the North Carolina State Conference of Branches for the NAACP, and helped lead the legal team that forced the State of North Carolina to create electoral opportunities for Black lawyers to become Superior Court Judges. His lawsuit was the catalyst that forced the General Assembly to create majority black judicial districts. As a result of his efforts, at least eight African-American judges were elected to the Superior Court bench.
Attorney Murphy never sought the limelight. Instead, he chose to be a servant of the people. Without receiving the public acclaim which many civil rights leaders attained, Attorney Murphy worked in the trenches with those same leaders, achieving significant legal and political battles, and providing legal advice and leadership to the North Carolina NAACP for 45 years.
Without a doubt he will be missed and remembered as that quiet, but passionate, effective role model for the lawyers who follow his big footsteps. He was greatly admired and respected by everyone who knew him. His life's work is honored each year by the North Carolina NAACP's Annual Romallus O. Murphy Civil Rights Continuing Legal Education Program.
Romallus O. Murphy did trouble the Nation and the State for the right reasons and we are all the better for it, a little closer to the goals of liberty and justice for all. His living was not in vain. He fought the good fight and now, victory is his.
Signed,
Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President and National Board
Ms. Carolyn Q. Coleman, 1st Vice President and National Board
Mrs. Amina J. Turner, Executive Director
Atty. Irv Joyner and Atty. Al McSurely Co-Chairs of the Legal Redress Committee
Atty. Jennifer Marsh, Legal Redress Coordinator
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For More Information Contact:
Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President, 919-394-8137
Mrs. Amina Turner, Executive Director, 919-682-4700
Jennifer Marsh, Legal Redress Coordinator, 919-682-4700
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