More on Tuesday, August 11. We finished canvassing Choctaw–all but four or five signed up (to join the Miss. democratic Freedom Party). The whites scared them but their desire to strike out at the system overcame their fears. An old woman, however, refused to sign. Two different couples talked with her; they used about every …
Miss. Summer Freedom Project (Part 8)
On Monday morning we ate and then went to the church where we were to teach. I was to teach geography. We waited for two hours, but only two potential students showed up – and they wanted science, the teacher of which wasn’t there at the time! We wasted Tuesday morning also but no one …
Miss. Freedom Summer 1964 (Part 7)
The service at the black Baptist church Sunday evening was certainly interesting. It began with prayer offered by a deacon – it was a singsong prayer, simple yet full of fervor, punctuated by many “Amens.” The deacon then read from the First Chapter of Genesis; right after this he burst into a song – a …
The Vernon Johns Story (1994)
Before MLK was pastor at the Dexter Ave. Baptist Ch. there was an even more fiery preacher who prepared the way for him, Vernon Johns, a champion of justice.
Mississippi Freedom Summer Project 1964 (Part 5)
On Saturday morning I put up the door for the Crafts Closet. One of the sons of Mr. Hawkins was eager to help. In the afternoon Roger and I went out calling on people to gather information on intimidation. News had already come in about two cross burnings during the previous night. The first house …
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Get On Up (2014)
James Brown’s life was glorious, heroic and deeply troubled as well. Click on the movie’s title to read my complete review of “Get On Up.”
Mississippi Freedom Summer Project 1964: Part 1
Part 1: Introduction Recently the Presbyterian News Service sent out my article “BEYOND MISSISSIPPI BURNING: Reflections on the 50th Anniversary of the Mississippi Summer Freedom Project.” A recollection of my experiences as a minister volunteer during that hot August in 1964, while writing it I kept shortening, or eliminating entirely, some meaningful events and persons …
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Freedom Summer (2014)
The powerful documentary, “Freedom Summer,” should be seen by every American who cares about civil rights. Click the movie’s title to read my entire review.
FOR US THE LIVING: The Medgar Evers Story (1983)
The story of NAACP’s Medgar Evers civil rights work in Mississippi & his murder in 1963 is powerfully depicted.
Easter & Ralph Abernathy
Yesterday my Palm Sunday sermon “What a Week: From Joy to Anguish to Victory” was better received than any I’ve preached at Bond Hill PC, mainly due to my use of something written by Ralph Abernathy in 1968 at this time of the church year. While reading a wonderful book FREEDOM DAYS I came across …