Residents Remember Civil Rights Struggle

The event was meant to link the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. with the local progression of civil rights.

Decorating the walls of the center were posters of black American heroes such as Shirley Chisholm, Sojourner Truth and Jackie Robinson, along with a large white banner with black letters that read "Celebrate Black History."

Amid this atmosphere, residents ate home-cooked meals, while others approached the microphone to recount their individual experiences.

Marion Phillips, the celebration's keynote speaker, called the event an occasion of remembrance.

"It is a celebration of memory," Phillips said. "They spoke and recalled their own experience of pride from participating in the civil rights movement. So it's a memory of their participation."

Robbin Jones, program director of the center, said she was inspired by the mutual understanding about the trials of segregation that the residents who attended the event displayed.

"I believe there are heroes here," Jones said. "If no one followed Dr. King, no one marched with him, one person alone is very hard to make a difference. They are heroes in numbers."

Jones also said others should value older members of the community because of their unique civil rights experiences.

"It means more to the older citizens because they lived it more so than those who were not born yet," Jones continued. "When you live it, it means more to you."

Glenda Hargraves, a retired teacher who taught in the area for 32 years, agreed with Jones and also said older members of the community, who struggled through the civil rights era, deserve respect.

"They are an asset to the town," Hargraves said. "It's to me very important to recognize the contribution of their courage."

Phillips added that the struggle should not be considered complete.

"In (my speech), I was trying to invoke the audience to think of the movement as a relay race," Phillips said. "One generation will carry the baton and then pass it to the generation beyond."

Hargraves said the modern civil rights movement is more than just a race issue.

"It means to change attitudes," Hargraves explained. "For everybody, for the whole world, we're all looking for a better change. We must have love for each other and respect for each other's cultures."

One resident, Lucille Brooks, recited Rod Kipling's poem "Myself," which describes the importance of taking responsibility for rectifying social injustice in one's community.

Kipling's poem ends with the words "I want to be self-respect and conscience free."

Brooks said the poem is an example of how people should understand their connection with the others.

"It helps people with their life, that you don't need to keep anything hidden," she said.

"I don't want people to hate themselves."

The City Editor can be reached at citydesk@unc.edu.