The Movement: Past, Present, and Future; The 24-Year Journey of Activist Rev. Phillip Duvall

Photo by Ag Photography

By Caprice Foster

The modern-day Black Lives Matter Movement (BLM) that is building and growing has evolved from the shoulders of many men and women before it. From the battles fought during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, to the Black Power Movement of the 1960s and ‘70s, to the anti-apartheid fight of the 1980s and ‘90s, the impassioned song of the activist proves that though the lyrics may change, the heart behind it remains the same.

One of St. Louis’ most well-known activists is Rev. Phillip Duvall. With 24 years of grassroots activism under his belt, he has seen it all and continues to fight and serve as an advocate for the voiceless. The most recent fruits of his labor, and that of his colleague Shahid, has arrived in the form of the recent charge of former St. Louis Police officer Jason Stockley for the murder of Anthony Lamar Smith in 2011. The reintroduction of the case in the media has not come without controversy.

“I had a thirst for social justice to ensure that people are treated fairly and that we carried out, in America’s terms, equal protection under the law,” Rev. Duvall reflected while recounting how he became an activist. The activism seed was planted early in him due to some very prominent activists who had relationships with his father, Rev. Clarence Duvall Sr.

Photo courtesy of Ag Photography

“I was born in the ‘60s, and growing up in the ‘70s and ‘80s, you get to reflect on a lot of history. Growing up in the church and hearing a lot of stories, I probably caught the ‘bug’ and didn’t know I had it.”

Some of his mentors, include his father for his “calming inspiration and patience” in his life, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rev. Jessie Jackson, as well as Minister Louis Farrakhan.

Aside from having such an illustrious group of mentors to inspire him, Duvall also encountered his own personal experiences with racism which influenced his decision to one day become an activist. “I left the safe confines of Webster Groves and became a military policeman at 18 years old. I witnessed injustice as a young soldier at Fort Polk, Louisiana in 1982, where I heard Leesville police make reference to ‘nigger soldiers’ as we watched a burning body hanging from a tree.”

“In the early ‘90s, I was a child care supervisor for juvenile delinquents at a home that was located in the Central West End. I experienced firsthand how young black men were incarcerated at an early age.” It was through his work there that Duvall witnessed unethical and illegal behavior by police officers as they interacted with young black men.

“I was shocked with the excessive police force of young black youth, which I viewed as illegal behavior by the police. I was tired of hearing the news of black men being beaten to death and being shot to death. I wanted police officers to appropriately police us, but not beat us and kill us.”

This has been the platform for which Rev. Duvall has found his calling in the movement.  However, his work has not been without its adversity. “Your life gets threatened when an establishment gets exposed. I’ve received death threats. I’ve had people slash my tires at meetings. You deal with the vicious, unfounded attacks people say about you.”

The husband of Celeste, and father of two daughters, Liberty and Serenity, also pointed out how his activism work has impacted his family time and sleep. “It takes a lot of your time if you’re committed.  It cuts into my sleep. You get consumed by some of the stories.”

In spite of the burdens that come with the work, Rev. Duvall believes that the victories that result from his work, make it all worth it. “To be an advocate, you’re out for change. When you can get change, that’s a win.”

Photo by Ag Photography

With the current national attention that BLM has garnered, Rev. Duvall expressed his excitement about where things are going. “As an activist, I am excited because people are standing up saying ‘enough is enough’. I’m inspired by the modern day movement because the younger generation has heart and passion, and you’re not playing with the power structure and they know it.”

If there’s any advice that Rev. Duvall can offer to the current Movement, he shares these words, “economic boycotting is still the most effective form of boycotting. Be true to yourself. Give yourself real timelines.”

He also has inspiring words for anyone interested in serving in activism. “If your heart is telling you to do it, then do your research. Find something that you love. If you learn how to be an advocate for yourself, then you’ll learn to be an advocate for others.”

With the most recent wave of protests by such celebrities like Colin Kaepernick, the aftermath of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, and the deadliest mass shooting in recent American history at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, the country is at a crossroads, and at a fever pitch in its race relations, fight for equal rights, calls for stronger gun laws, and fight against police brutality. Now, as we all watch and wait to see what will happen next in this epic story that is American history, Rev. Duvall has his own thoughts about the future of activism in St. Louis, and our entire country.

“In St. Louis, the level of consciousness is here now. It’s a season of consciousness. As for the country, she is widely awake! Your generation has proven [the protests] are not going away until things get fixed. The release of videotapes within a certain period of time will be a requirement. The movement will continue.”

“As for St. Louis, if we don’t remain vigilant, then history will repeat itself.” 

~Photos by Ag Photography