February 7, 1950 - An Invader Is Born: The Legacy of Mr. Joe Calhoun

Local & National News | May 29, 2026 | 2:55 p.m. CDT

Edited: May 30, 2026 | 4:30 p.m. CDT

Written by: Gilbert Barnes Carter III

This article is the third in an exclusive 11-part story series to feature the life and legacy of Mr. Joe Calhoun and promote his personal memoir - 9 LIVES: REINVENTION OF AN INVADER. It will be released in 2026.

* "It is one thing to fight for something that you've never had and a totally different thing to have it and have it stripped away little by little."

Mr. Joe Calhoun

Mr. Joe Calhoun was born on February 7, 1950 against picturesque and rugged backdrops in Wyoming and before some of the most notable American civil rights, human rights, and social justice triumphs, such as the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on July 2, 1964. He utilized his exuberance and insatiable desire for virtue to serve in a pivotal role as a very young man during another - the second March Against Fear in 1969. The first march, which was organized by Dr. James Meredith in 1966, and the second were two emphatic and unabated showings of Black political and social might. As Mr. Calhoun reflects today as a Memphis Invader, the current struggle to maintain certain voting rights across this country is certainly ominous. 

"The largest difference since the Marches Against Fear in 1966 and in 1969 is also my largest concern. It is the horrendous political climate that we are in due to the recent negative outcomes. Consider how Donald Trump has followed the outline of Project 2025. He has created disenfranchisement for many Americans. But, many Republicans voted for him. And they continue to ingratiate themselves in order to avoid being objects of his disdain."

A call for intense mobilization...

"It is important that we mobilize all groups of people in this country. There are disenfranchised Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. Many people have been disenfranchised by a Republican hierarchy in which Trump's followers are far more concerned with profiteering and capitalistic gains than they are with recognizing the humanity of their constituents and neighbors. People on the so-called lower end are just obstacles along the way. Their overall well-being is not a priority in any way, shape, or form. Federal and state (...i.e., the white GOP supermajority in Tennessee...) government officials are willfully not giving consideration for how they can implement support to move the operative needles forward for disadvantaged people. That is not happening at all. There is no compassion, sympathy, nor empathy from officials in this current administration. Some of their pivots are merely money grabs. Others are cover-ups to protect a convicted felon who is not a great business person. From his inappropriate acts against women, to his failed business dealings, to him not allowing for capable and exceptional Black people to work at his properties - it is very hard for me to understand how Americans, especially Black, Brown, and Indigenous citizens, can vote for a person who has shown complete disregard for so many people."

"Many people have been disenfranchised by a Republican hierarchy in which Trump's followers are far more concerned with profiteering and capitalistic gains than they are with recognizing the humanity of their constituents and neighbors."

Mr. Joe Calhoun

A call for renewed ownership...

"It is very unfortunate how many Americans have become so complacent, desensitized, and tone deaf. Many Americans have been accustomed to leaning into the advancements that have been achieved over the last few decades. Now, we have turmoil from the current eroding of those advancements. The freedom in the forms of exercising the right to vote and representation of Black constituents in this country must not be taken away. Everything would change at the cost of the detriment of all Americans, especially Black, Brown, and Indigenous people."

"Another concern that I have is the complacency that Black Americans exhibit. We are far too comfortable collectively as one adverse result of the work that people carried out over 60 years ago. We have reaped the benefits of that work. But now, there is a de-evolution. Younger people in this country are reacting negatively because we are potentially on the precipice of certain voting rights being taken away. That is a variable of the largest difference from our disruption in 1966 and in 1969 to today in real time. We did not have certain voting rights and we made demands and literally fought to have them. Now, we have them, but we must fight again to prevent the workers of iniquity from taking them away. That is a proverbial slap in the face."

"Another concern that I have is the complacency that Black Americans exhibit. We are far too comfortable collectively as one adverse result of the work that people carried out over 60 years ago."

Mr. Joe Calhoun

A call for unprecedented unity...

"We all must mobilize together and make sure that we have as many people as we can vote during the upcoming midterm elections. The midterm elections are our major opportunities to balance the power between the United States House and the Senate. It will be very difficult for us to move forward if we are not able to have a balance of power. But, if we continue to stay on the course that we are on and empower people through voter engagement, we can reclaim the House or the Senate. We must have a massive turnout in November in order for us to have a legitimate chance to maintain our voting rights. We must completely end this current run of injustice."

"The midterm elections are our major opportunities to balance the power between the United States House and the Senate. It will be very difficult for us to move forward if we are not able to have a balance of power."

Mr. Joe Calhoun

9 LIVES: REINVENTION OF AN INVADER will be available in eBook (PDF) and paperback formats exclusively via The Book Patch (Wilshire Press) in 2026.

"This book is an account of my life as an environmental, human, and civil rights activist since 1967 after moving to Memphis."

"The content of this book is for individuals and groups who want to move the country forward. It is for individuals who embrace unity and love as we move the country forward together."

"The content of this book is to be used as another tool by individuals to stop all of the dividing that is taking place across the country."

Next Article: PREPARING TO SERVE...

Photo Credits:

Cover Photo by: Mr. Nathan Watson - Bham Now

Body Photo by: Mr. Gary S. Whitlow - GSW ENTERPRISES

 * Sources:

* The excerpts are from 9 LIVES: REINVENTION OF AN INVADER. It is the personal memoir of internationally renown Civil Rights Foot Soldier and icon - Mr. Joe Calhoun. It is currently being written by Gilbert Barnes Carter III. It will be available in eBook (PDF) and paperback formats exclusively via The Book Patch (Wilshire Press) in 2026.

Gilbert Barnes Carter III is a Memphis-based author, child welfare advocate, community organizer, emerging farmer, gardener, journalist, and social justice advocate. He began his social justice advocacy and work by serving as a Shelby County Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Board volunteer in 2005. He has worked since then to effectuate change for low-wage, immigrant, and migrant workers as a Temporary Workers Campaign Manager with Workers Interfaith Network; an advocate for Teamsters Local 667 sanitation workers; and a community / field organizer to uphold blight reduction, efficient public mass transit, environmental justice, food access, food justice, food security, narrative change, and public safety.