The Activist for Activists. Author of Make a Difference with Mental Health Activism and The Happy Activist: Journey the 5-Step Activism Path to Focus Your Passion and Change the World. Teacher, Psychologist, Environmental Activist, Animal Lover.
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Last Updated on January 17, 2025
According to Sparky Rucker, sometimes you have to agitate to get things done.
Sparky Rucker’s soaring music and captivating storytelling spotlight history. I didn’t know about Sparky’s fame when I first heard his name. Instead, he and his wife Rhonda were just regular members of our local homeschooling community. Later, I learned that he is a well-known musician who travels the world giving concerts, keeping music genres alive, and working for social justice.
My first Sparky and Rhonda concert was in the historic Laurel Theater in Knoxville, a former church that is home to Jubilee Community Arts, an organization dedicated to the preservation and advancement of traditional music and art forms of the Southern Appalachians. People packed the small room, listening to the music and Sparky and Rhonda’s stories about the song’s origins. It was a history lesson wrapped in glorious music.
Interview
I interviewed Sparky for my book The Happy Activist (formerly What’s on Your Sign? ) He spoke about his history of activism and advised new activists to agitate. Here is an excerpt:
Fighting Racism
I was born in 1946 right smack dab in the middle of “Jim Crow” [which was in effect from 1866 to well after I graduated college]. I grew up living in the projects…attended segregated schools and lived in a segregated neighborhood.
One set of projects that I lived in was one street over from Beaumont Avenue, which was the dividing line between the black projects and the white projects… and Beaumont Avenue was the “no man’s land” where the neighborhood Mom & Pop stores were, which served both communities. When you went to the store, you’d carry a pocket full of rocks in case you had to fight your way home. No way to live.
My father, J. D. Rucker, Sr. was a WWII veteran who, along with his brothers who were also vets, were appalled that they returned home from war to a segregated life that afforded more courtesies to ex-Nazi’s than to honorable, loyal black vets. They started one of the first civil rights organizations in our hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee. The Young Man’s Civic League became well known and changed many things in Knoxville. Everyone in the family became members of the N.A.A.C.P., and it started me on the path of social activism.
Why Agitate To Make Change?
I don’t know how old I was, but I do remember being in one of my first demonstrations. I was with my Mother, Louretta T. Rucker. We were at a “pray in,” in front of Rich’s Department Store. Rich’s, who had its home base in Atlanta, Georgia, was one of the many stores during Jim Crow times that did not allow African Americans to eat at their lunch counters. Since the laws required “special permits” in order for us to have protest marches in my hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, it was decided that we would all gather in front of the store to “pray,” thereby “breaking no laws.” My recollection is that I was not sure that I would be “non-violent.”
Picture me “praying” with one fist balled up and suspiciously looking around in fear. As I looked down the road, I spied a “dirty-looking street person” who I thought must have been the “worst kind of redneck!” I prepared myself for receiving and giving many kicks and blows. As the man approached, he stared at me and … then he smiled and said, “howdy!” as he walked on by. It was a lesson learned … and as Bo Diddley says, “You can’t judge a book by looking at the cover.”
Oh, and the result of our protest? Well, we caused Rich’s to lose over one million dollars in revenue and forced it to close its Knoxville branch. Power to the People!
Later I found that my ability to gather people together in song was the way I could best contribute to the cause. I led the singing at many mass meetings and on many picket lines and marches.
Advice for New Activists: Agitate!
Agitate, agitate, AGITATE!!!
[Learn more about racial equality and how activists are making a difference.]
Since the interview, Sparky continues to be recognized. In 2022 Sparky was given the Been to the Mountaintop Award for High Achievement in Appalachia. In addition, he won the 2022 Southeastern Regional Folk Alliance Award for outstanding contributions to folk music.
Sparky sings with his wife Rhonda, who has a passion for many causes.
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Sparky Rucker is a long-time activist and musician. Before he began his full-time music career he was a schoolteacher, and he still educates children through his concerts and recordings. Read more about Sparky and his music.
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