Election night 40 years ago changed history in Dallas County.
It was the night that Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price became the first, and to date only, Black member of the commissioner’s court.
He may be the most recognizable face and name in Dallas’ political landscape. Revered and reviled for years for 40 years. Pushing, prodding, protesting and picketing.
“I’ve been here 40 years as a commissioner, 10 as assistant to a judge, and I’ve only missed 90 days of work,” Price said.
Since his election on a November night in 1984, Price remains a lead captain in the campaign to ensure people of mostly southern Dallas District 3 benefited from the county’s multi-billion dollar system of public health, public safety, service in courts and corrections and jobs.
Critics called him a racial rabble-rouser, using threats and intimidation under the cloak of civil activism.
“[For] too long, as Frederick Douglass said, have others spoken for us,” said Price. “It’s time for us to speak for ourselves.”