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The passing of John Lewis & CT Vivian have been described as a sad loss. I dont agree. These men & others participants n the freedom struggle who have passed would not want their transition 2 b seen as causing a vaccuum. 9 years ago I had a great job. I led teachers on tours of
Significant sites of the freedom struggle. We rode around the deep south on a charter bus that retraced the 1961 freedom Riders path. On board were movement veterans, original freedom riders, teachers and college students. I was the chief wrangler of participants and guests.
I had a lot of "unscripted" moments with movement veterans that taught me the ways n which they taught resistance every day. I share one now that is an example of the multitudes of moments I witnessed.
It was nearly midnight at the car rental counter at Jackson Hartsfield
It was nearly midnight at the car rental counter at Jackson Hartsfield
Airport in Atlanta. I had 2 rent a car for freedom rider Ernest RIP Patton. Before we approached the counter he said, Give Me A Moment. I turned away as he tucked in his dress shirt, smoothed his trousers, and donned his sports coat.
Despite the hour the counter agents were
Despite the hour the counter agents were
Still busy and there was an energy of weary bustling. Most of the agents were young black men and women. After we secured the reservation I knew what was next and I stepped away to remove my intrusive whiteness.
Mr Patton asks the name of the young man who helped him. Tells the
Mr Patton asks the name of the young man who helped him. Tells the
Young man who his is. Gives him his card. Asks the man about his education his job his plans and what he is doing to resist. Mr Patton then tells the man to organize a group and he will speak to them all he has to do is call. Finally, Mr Patton shakes his hand and says
I'm counting on you.
Lamenting the loss of those who passed is energy misplaced. Mourning & missing cannot b conflicted with losing. Movement Veterans have been preparing for their transition since the first moment the participated. A 20 something Diane Nash refused to
Lamenting the loss of those who passed is energy misplaced. Mourning & missing cannot b conflicted with losing. Movement Veterans have been preparing for their transition since the first moment the participated. A 20 something Diane Nash refused to
Back down on the Freedom Riders intention to go to a volatile and violent Montgomery Alabama. She definently told Bobby Kennedy's aide John Seigenthaler "Sir, you dont understand. We've already made out our wills."
Mobilize and educate. Mobilize and educate. Mobilize and educate. Young people are ready, are we?
