This is the grave of Benjamin Roberts. Born in Boston in 1815, Roberts grew up in the small Black middle class of that city at that time. His father was a servant--but about the most successful servant in the country. In fact, in 1827, he...
civil rights
We lost another of the great figures of the civil rights movement: Joseph McNeil, who jolted the civil rights movement with a surge of youth activism when he and three.
This is the grave of John Lewis. What to even say about John Lewis? He's such a well known figure and a hero to almost everyone who knows anything about.
This is the grave of James Forten. Born free in Philadelphia in 1766, Forten came from a family of freed people. In fact, it was his grandfather who had become free, so some time earlier than this. The family was pretty sufficient, but Forten's father...
This is the grave of David Bustill Bowser. Born in 1820 in Philadelphia, Bowser grew up free. His family had fought for Black rights going back a couple of generations.
This is the grave of Caroline LeCount. Born in 1846 in Philadelphia, LeCount grew up in the Black activism of the pre-Civil War community of that city. Her father was.
As we lose our civil rights leaders, we need to note them. Charles Person was not the most famous of them because he made decisions to live a pretty normal life after his initial activism with the Freedom Riders. That's exactly what activism should allow...
This is the grave of Addie Wyatt. Born in 1924 in Brookhaven, Mississippi, Wyatt grew up poor. Her family got out of Mississippi in 1930, following the Great Migration to.
I went to the FDR Library last week and saw its temporary exhibit, "Museum Exhibit Review: Black Americans, Civil Rights, and Black Americans, 1932-1962." It's pretty well known that FDR's.
This is the grave of Rev. Joseph Lowery. Born in 1921 in Huntsville, Alabama, Lowery grew up in the Black middle class of that city. His father owned a business and his mother was a teacher. But of course none of that would get in...
One of the all-time legends has passed. SNCC veteran, came to activation in the Albany movement, founded the Freedom Singers and Sweet Honey in the Rock, total all time great.
As I say frequently, it is extremely unfortunate that our vision of the civil rights movement has been reduced to just a few people in public memory. This doesn't surprise.