For more than a century, the small panhandle town of Marianna was home to the Florida School for Boys, aka the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys. The “school” opened on New Year’s Day in 1900 and closed in 2011 after reporting brought back to light the horrific abuse endured by young men who were sent to the Dozier school’s “White House” where boys were, amongst other things, beaten with a leather strap attached to a wooden handle.
Charles Fudge, president of The Official White House Boys Organization, which functions as a support and advocacy group for survivors of the school, estimates that between 200-300 boys who went to the school are still alive.
Two bills up for debate in the 2024 session of the Florida legislature—SB 24 and HB 21—could finally bring some semblance of justice, and potentially $40 million, to survivors of the Dozier school.
On the Nov. 24 episode of The Skinny on WMNF-Tampa 88.5-FM, Fudge—along with Dozier survivors Roy Conerly, Gene Luker, and author Richard Huntly Sr. who is President of Black Boys at Dozier Reform School—talk about the emotional weight they carry with them, and their hopes for finally getting a shred of closure.
We also hear from Troy Rafferty, a shareholder at Levin, Papantonio, Rafferty, and lawyer who advocated for the legislation being brought to Tallahassee by Sen. Darryl Rouson and Rep. Rep. Michelle Saltzman (the latter recently, and separately from the issue of the Dozier school, make controversial comments in a discussion about the Israel-Hamas conflict).
Download to the Nov. 24 episode of The Skinny via wmnf.org, or listen via podcast services like Apple Music, TuneIn, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
3 Responses to “Florida’s White House Boys talk about the promise of justice for survivors of the Dozier school”
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I didn’t know the stories about Dozier School, I delivered milk there until it closed. I always had a creepy feeling about that place but couldn’t figure out why until years later when I read up on it. I found out a few years back that my friends dad was in there. My friend told me some of the things his dad told him. It was absolutely horrific.
I was sent to the Marianna Boys School in 1953 because of runaway from orphan home. Charge said WAYWARD and THEFT. Is recall being being beaten severely 3 different times in 1953 and 1954. I still
have memories of the mental and physical abuse suffered at the school. I was beaten so bad that I still have injuries as a direct result of the physical abuse 70 years later. I was invited to be in the gallery of the Florida Senate and was asked to stand and be identified by Senator Tracy Davis and was apologized to by the State Senators because of the abuse I suffered at the school by state employees. I witnessed murder by state employees and also suffered constant fear and abuse by many of the employees. I suffered physical and mental injury and was beaten so badly and abused mentally so often that I had no very little self esteem when I was released.
Hi!
I have been reading about
“The Dozier School” for years & years, thru first-hand books & stories.
I am planning a trip to north Florida in April, and would love to give you brave men a big ole hug!!
How may I meet any of you?
Thank you!