1961 White Gay Progressive Born Activist
Mark Cleveland, Costa Mesa, CA Growing up a gay child in the 1960’s I knew instinctively and immediately that my future was deeply connected to...
I’m amazed at Lillian Smith’s courage.
Bob Thomas, Rabun Gap, GA. I have been working on a web site for the Lillian E. Smith Foundation located in Rabun County, Georgia. In...
Chicana Falsa I Am Not!
Amber Nicole Gutierrez, Hemet, CA. Everyone grew up with a different life-style, just because I look of Mexican decent does not mean I am the...
It embodies America’s hope and tragedy
Nick Rabkin Chicago, IL So much of who I am is comes from my sense that the fight for civil rights is really the fight...
“Si se puede” the famous quote.
Elaine Gastelum, Calexico, CA. My name is Elaine Gastelum and I’ve been raised in a small town called Calexico. Calexico is right next to the...
Institutional – undeniable – must have real change
Kathleen Harrington Having lived through the Civil Rights movement and celebrated the changes it created, I think this is a pivotal time. I believe –...
Race mattered then. It matters now.
Phyll, Fort Worth, TX. At 62 years old, I am a child of thw Civil Rights struggles. When my son was born in 1971, I...
Jesus, help me love like MLK!
Ann Barrentine, Bloomington, IN Still find it hard to love powerful racist white ppl… Was involved in some civil rights activity in Southern VA in...
Pain, black reaction OJ Simpson verdict
David J. Shapiro New York City, NY Manhattan After so much sacrifice, blood, time and heartache by whites who supported the Civil Rights Movements, to...
We experience, we teach, we grow.
Eli Russell, Austin, TX. As a writer, these six words are something I’ve said before. I lend it here to hopefully add to the growing...
MY FLUIDITY IN THE AFRICAN DIASPORA.
OTI OBOH New York City, NY Brooklyn I’m Nigerian born raised in the US and find my fluidity in my identity as Nigerian, as American...
1950’s – Mother worked for Civil Rights
Anne Elizabeth Wolfe San Rafael, CA My mother grew up in the South . She worked for Civil Rights in the 1950’s and was called...
In the 1980’s racism underwent Huxtablization.
Doug, Brooklyn, NY Racism prior to the Civil Rights Era stemmed from Whites thinking Blacks should be different. Today, it stems from Whites thinking Blacks...
Such power in words and action
Alyssa Cartee New York City, NY Queens Every word and every action in life has such extreme consequences. The Civil Rights movement reminds me that...
Why do we have “black communities”?
Vicotor J. Boney, Acworth, GA. Any legitimate discussion about race in America must include this question. Fifty plus years removed from the Civil Rights Act...
Forced me to see broader humanity.
Douglas Moore, Sharon, VT. Raised white, male, Midwestern and Republican the movement broke open so many of the absolutes in my life.
51 years of history was unlearned
Brandon M. VerBurg, 8th Grade Holland New Tech High School, Holland, MI. I love to study the past, and history is filled with turning points....
I love love love my Blacks.
Renée Quarterman, Philadelphia, PA I used to fantasize about how active I would have been if I were an adult in the 60’s. I imagined...
