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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Wednesday, November 10, 2004 - 10:10 am
Former BET anchor joins ‘60 Minutes’ team http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6438257/ Ed Gordon signs on as contributor to CBS newsmagazine
NEW YORK - Former BET anchorman Ed Gordon has joined CBS’ “60 Minutes Wednesday” as a contributor and debuts this week with a profile of Jamie Foxx, who’s hot following his starring roles in “Ray” and “Collateral.” Foxx talks about being adopted by his grandparents in Texas, and the pain he felt at being largely ignored by his biological parents. With the exception of CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, the “60 Minutes” broadcasts rarely take stories from outsiders. “Very few journalists get invited to this party,” Gordon said. “So it’s very nice to be invited.” Gordon, 44, anchored a nightly BET newscast before that network cut back on news. He’s best known for his interviews, including newsmaking talks with O.J. Simpson, Janet Jackson, Trent Lott and R. Kelly. “He’s young and smart and he’s demonstrated that he has a lot to contribute,” said “60 Minutes Wednesday” executive producer Josh Howard. The CBS newscast is struggling in the ratings this fall, hurt by being in the same time slot as ABC’s hit “Lost” and Fox’s postseason baseball. Gordon said he won’t be typecast by stories he does, explaining: “I won’t solely pitch African-American issues, but I think it’s important that I do.”
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Jan
Member
08-01-2000
| Sunday, November 21, 2004 - 2:19 pm
bump 'cause I'm missing it 
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Tishala
Member
08-01-2000
| Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 11:44 am
Tavis Smiley Leaving NPR link 29 November 2004 Hello Friend! [...] It is with deep regret that I write to inform you of my decision to not renew my contract with NPR, which expires shortly. My last scheduled day on air is anticipated to be Thursday, December 16, 2004, when my previously scheduled holiday hiatus is set to commence. I wanted to contact you personally and immediately to express my gratitude to you and your staff for giving me the chance to be heard by your listeners. I know the ridicule many of you had to endure when you decided to take this journey with me by adding my program to your line-up. I will always be appreciative of your confidence and trust. With your support, I have come to care even more for public radio and its social, cultural and intellectual potential. Yet, after all that we've accomplished towards our goal of seeking a broader, more diverse and younger audience for public radio, NPR's own research has confirmed that NPR has simply failed to meaningfully reach out to a broad spectrum of Americans who would benefit from public radio, but simply don't know it exists or what it offers. In the most multicultural, multiethnic and multiracial America ever --- I believe that NPR can and must do better in the future. I sincerely hope you understand my position. I thank you, again, for all of your support. With your help, this has been a remarkable journey, and I hope that in some small way I did my part to help make America better by the simple act of introducing Americans to each other. Keep the faith, Tavis Smiley
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 12:46 pm
Yeah, I heard him talking about this this morning on the TJMS.
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Essence
Member
01-12-2002
| Monday, December 13, 2004 - 12:53 pm
Plans for African-American history museum move forward BY MICHAEL KILIAN Chicago Tribune WASHINGTON - (KRT) - Plans for an African-American history museum on the National Mall moved closer to reality this week as the project received its first federal funding, enabling it to move ahead. The Smithsonian Institution also appointed a board for the museum that includes Chicagoans Oprah Winfrey and magazine magnate Linda Johnson Rice, among other prominent African-American leaders. "This is a wonderful gift to the country," said Lonnie Bunch, a black history scholar and former Smithsonian official now serving as president of the Chicago Historical Society. "It can help the country explore the challenge of the race issue that was so central to our history, and at the same time celebrate the wonderful contributions African-Americans have made to American culture." Deputy Smithsonian Secretary Sheila Burke, the institution's chief operating officer, said the museum will fill "an enormous gap in an area that has long been given short shrift - understanding, appreciating and celebrating the contributions of African-Americans that have been so very important to the country." Burke said she expected the search committee currently seeking a director for the National Museum of African-American History and Culture to make its recommendation "early next year." But she estimated it will take another 14 or 15 years for the museum to be completed - about the same amount of time it took for the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the World War II Memorial here to be built. For 15 years, Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., introduced legislation calling for the creation of the museum, succeeding only last year in getting his measure passed by Congress. President Bush signed it into law last Dec. 16, but no funding for was included in the budget. Now, Congress has appropriated an initial $3.9 million for engineering studies, planning and the hiring of staff. An African-American museum was first approved by Congress in 1928 and signed by President Calvin Coolidge the next year. But the Great Depression and World War II precluded any work on the project and it was abandoned. Legislative attempts were made to revive it during the civil rights movement of the 1960s, but failed in the face of Southern opposition. In 1991, the Smithsonian appointed a study commission, which concluded that such a museum was sorely needed. Burke estimated the project's price tag the price tag could be $300 million to $400 million, compared with $219 million for the just-completed American Indian facility. The federal government will pay 50 percent, leaving the rest to private contributors. Still undecided is a location for the facility, and that remains controversial. The original backers of the project had wanted it on the National Mall, which is home to many of the capital's most prestigious museums. "That symbol would be very, very powerful," said Bunch. They called for a site at the east end of the Mall bordering the famous Ulysses S. Grant memorial complex of Civil War sculptures. This was rejected because many felt it would impinge on the Grant memorial and because the Smithsonian, along with other government entities, considers the Mall closed with the completion of the American Indian museum. Congress has given the Smithsonian Board of Regents a selection of four alternative sites. --- © 2004, Chicago Tribune. link
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 2:38 pm
I got this in an email. Being a non-church goer I'm unsure of it's validity. WATCH NIGHT SERVICES Many of you who live or grew up in Black communities in the United States have probably heard of "Watch Night Services," the gathering of the faithful in church on New Year's Eve. The service usually begins anywhere from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and ends at midnight with the entrance of the New Year.Some folks come to church first, before going out to celebrate. For others, church is the only New Year's Eve event. Like many others, I always assumed that Watch Night was a fairly standard Christian religious service -- made a bit more Afro centric because that's what happens when elements of Christianity become linked with the Black Church. Still, it seemed that predominately White Christian churches did not include Watch Night services on their calendars, but focused instead on Christmas Eve programs. In fact, there were instances where clergy in mainline denominations wondered aloud about the propriety of linking religious services with a secular holiday like New Year's Eve. However, there is a reason for the importance of New Year's Eve services in African American congregations.The Watch Night Services in Black communities that we celebrate today can be traced back to gatherings on December 31, 1862, also known as "Freedom's Eve." On that night, Blacks came together in churches and private homes all across the nation, anxiously awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation actually had become law. Then, at the stroke of midnight, it was January 1, 1863, and all slaves in the Confederate States were declared legally free. When the news was received, there were prayers, shouts and songs of joy as people fell to their knees and thanked God. Black folks have gathered in churches annually on New Year's Eve ever since, praising God for bringing us safely through another year. It's been 141 years since that first Freedom's Eve and many of us were never taught the African American history of Watch Night, but tradition still brings us together at this time every year to celebrate "how we got over".
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Sunday, December 26, 2004 - 3:03 pm
Kwanzaa is a non-religious African American holiday which celebrates family, community, and culture. It is celebrated for seven days: December 26 - January 1.Seven Principles of Kwanzaa Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach, created Kwanzaa in 1966. After the Watts riots in Los Angeles, Dr. Karenga searched for ways to bring African-Americans together as a community. He founded US, a cultural organization, and started to research African "first fruit" (harvest) celebrations. Karenga combined aspects of several different harvest celebrations, such as those of the Ashanti and those of the Zulu, to form the basis of Kwanzaa. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits" in Swahili. Each family celebrates Kwanzaa in its own way, but celebrations often include songs and dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, and a large traditional meal. On each of the seven nights, the family gathers and a child lights one of the candles on the Kinara (candleholder), then one of the seven principles is discussed. The principles, called the Nguzo Saba (seven principles in Swahili) are values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing community among African-Americans. Kwanzaa also has seven basic symbols which represent values and concepts reflective of African culture. An African feast, called a Karamu, is held on December 31. The candle-lighting ceremony each evening provides the opportunity to gather and discuss the meaning of Kwanzaa. The first night, the black candle in the center is lit (and the principle of umoja/unity is discussed). One candle is lit each evening and the appropriate principle is discussed.
Umoja (oo-MO-jah) Unity stresses the importance of togetherness for the family and the community, which is reflected in the African saying, "I am We," or "I am because We are." http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/holidays/kwanzaa/7pri.html http://www.tike.com/celeb-kw.htm
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Monday, December 27, 2004 - 9:44 am
Kujichagulia (koo-gee-cha-goo-LEE-yah) Self-Determination requires that we define our common interests and make decisions that are in the best interest of our family and community.
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Pcakes2
Member
08-29-2001
| Monday, December 27, 2004 - 1:15 pm
Growing up, I was raised Episcopalian (Catholic lite)...we always had a Watch Night service. When I became a teenager and started going to NYE parties, I stopped attending this service. I'm not sure how widespread this tradition is throughout my religion...or if it was just done in our parish...our congregation was about 25% African American. Thanks LadyTex for the information on Kwanzaa. I have a question. Can anyone celebrate Kwanzaa...meaning me? I am not Afican American. Would it be offense or disrespectful???
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Monday, December 27, 2004 - 1:18 pm
I think anyone can celebrate any holiday that they want to.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Monday, December 27, 2004 - 1:30 pm
No, it would not be disrespectful at all! The seven principles celebrated would be a good thing for everyone, I would think.
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Pcakes2
Member
08-29-2001
| Monday, December 27, 2004 - 1:40 pm
Thanks Lady...I was hoping so, but didn't want to offend anyone. You know that I don't currently celebrate Christmas in the traditional way...no tree, no decorations, no gift exchange, etc, but what we do celebrate is each other, and spending time together....seems like that would mesh well with Kwanzaa.
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Hippyt
Member
06-15-2001
| Monday, December 27, 2004 - 5:49 pm
I don't celebrate Kwanzaa,but I love the principles it is based on.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Tuesday, December 28, 2004 - 11:13 am
Ujima (oo-GEE-mah) Collective Work and Responsibility reminds us of our obligation to the past, present and future, and that we have a role to play in the community, society, and world.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Tuesday, December 28, 2004 - 4:43 pm
Gravely Interred at Arlington National Cemetery Story Number: NNS041221-05 Release Date: 12/21/2004 2:27:00 PM http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=16394 By Lt. Karen Eifert, Navy Public Affairs Center, Norfolk ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- Active-duty service members, retirees and civilians visited Fort Myer Memorial Chapel in Arlington, Va., Dec. 17 to pay their final respects to Vice Adm. Samuel L. Gravely Jr., the Navy’s first African American admiral. During a ceremony which preceded the interment, retired Rear Adm. Lawrence Layman painted a picture of Gravely as a "gentle giant," a first-rate officer and a friend. “[Vice Adm. Gravely] expected the same level of excellence in his subordinates that he expected of himself,” said Layman, who said he encountered Gravely many times throughout his own military career. “He would always tell you if you were headed down the wrong path.” Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Personnel Programs Charles Tompkins also spoke and made mention of Gravely’s personal motto, which suggests that education, motivation and perseverance are a formula for success. “He truly lived his motto throughout his life,” Tompkins said. “He was a man of integrity and lived up to the highest ideals of the Navy’s Core Values - Honor, Courage and Commitment.” Tompkins recalled meeting Gravely as a 21-year-old flight student, and the impact Gravely had upon himself and several other African American pilots. “He gave us hope for things to come. He opened our eyes to possibilities we had not dreamed of, because the future was not crystal clear in the struggle we were engaged in with Navy flight training," Tompkins said. During the interment, Vice Adm. David L. Brewer III presented Gravely's wife, Alma, the flag that had covered her husband’s coffin. After reciting many of the well-known military accomplishments and mentorship efforts of Gravely, Brewer shared that Gravely had also mentored him. “If I were a sculptor and were asked to build a model human being, I would chisel a sculpture of Adm. Gravely," said Brewer. "I really was sincere when I said he was a giant, a vanguard and a master, because he stood so tall for all of us during the storms of racial change in our Navy. He really illuminated a light of service for all of us. When I joined the Navy in 1970, there were no African American admirals, and a year after I joined in 1971, Adm. Gravely became the first [African American] flag officer. So that gave us a ray of hope that perhaps this was indeed a place where African Americans could serve.” Rear Adm. Andy Winns was just one of the many flag officers who attended the interment who pointed out that Gravely strived to mentor and promote excellence in all junior officers without regard to race or gender. “Vice Adm. Gravely was an inspiration, not only to African Americans, but to all Naval officers aspiring to be the best that they can be. To this day I think he is still an inspiration to us all, just an absolutely wonderful officer, gentleman and a Christian.” Vice Adm. Gravely was a lifetime member of the National Naval Officers Association (NNOA), which seeks to mentor junior officers in the sea services. NNOA hosts an annual Vice Adm. Samuel L. Gravely Jr. scholarship banquet in an effort to encourage excellence in college-bound high school students. To learn more about this scholarship visit www.nnoa.org.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 12:16 pm
Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah) Cooperative economics emphasizes our collective economic strength and encourages us to meet common needs through mutual support.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 11:27 pm
Thanks, Ladyt. Love reading your posts here.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 10:11 am
Nia (NEE-yah) Purpose encourages us to look within ourselves and to set personal goals that are beneficial to the community.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Friday, December 31, 2004 - 12:43 pm
Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) Creativity makes use of our creative energies to build and maintain a strong and vibrant community.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Saturday, January 01, 2005 - 12:02 pm
Imani (ee-MAH-nee) Faith focuses on honoring the best of our traditions, draws upon the best in ourselves, and helps us strive for a higher level of life for humankind, by affirming our self-worth and confidence in our ability to succeed and triumph in righteous struggle. This is the final principle and today is the last day of Kwanzaa. I hope you have enjoyed reading about it as much as I have enjoyed sharing it.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Monday, January 03, 2005 - 8:50 am
Shirley Chisholm dies at age 80
First black woman elected to Congress fought for minorities Monday, January 3, 2005 Posted: 7:09 AM EST (1209 GMT) MIAMI, Florida (AP) -- Shirley Chisholm, an advocate for minority rights who became the first black woman elected to Congress and later the first black person to seek a major party's nomination for the U.S. presidency, has died. The Rev. Jesse Jackson called her a "woman of great courage." Chisholm, who took her seat in the U.S. House in 1969, was a riveting speaker who often criticized Congress as being too clubby and unresponsive. An outspoken champion of women and minorities during seven terms in the House, she also was a staunch critic of the Vietnam War. Details of her death on Saturday were not immediately available. She was 80. Chisholm ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1972, a campaign that was viewed as more symbolic than practical. She won 152 delegates before withdrawing from the race. "I ran for the Presidency, despite hopeless odds, to demonstrate the sheer will and refusal to accept the status quo," Chisholm said in her book "The Good Fight." "The next time a woman runs, or a black, a Jew or anyone from a group that the country is 'not ready' to elect to its highest office, I believe that he or she will be taken seriously from the start." Chisholm represented New York's Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn and served until retiring in 1983. She also was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus. "She was an activist and she never stopped fighting," Jackson told The Associated Press from Ohio. "She refused to accept the ordinary, and she had high expectations for herself and all people around her." Newly elected, she was assigned to the House Agriculture Committee, which she felt was irrelevant to her urban constituency. In an unheard of move, she demanded reassignment and got switched to the Veterans Affairs Committee. Not long afterward she voted for Hale Boggs, who was white, over John Conyers, who was black, for majority leader. Boggs rewarded her with a place on the prized Education and Labor Committee and she was its third ranking member when she left. "My greatest political asset, which professional politicians fear, is my mouth, out of which come all kinds of things one shouldn't always discuss for reasons of political expediency," she told voters. During her failed presidential bid, Chisholm went to the hospital to visit George Wallace, her rival candidate and ideological opposite, after he had been shot -- an act that appalled her followers. "He said, `What are your people going to say?' I said: 'I know what they're going to say. But I wouldn't want what happened to you to happen to anyone.' He cried and cried," she recalled. And when she needed support to extend the minimum wage to domestic workers two years later, it was Wallace who got her the votes from Southern members of Congress. "She was our Moses that opened the Red Sea for us," said Robert E. Williams, president of Flagler County's branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. In her book, "Unbought and Unbossed," she recounted the campaign that brought her to Congress and wrote of her concerns about that body: "Our representative democracy is not working because the Congress that is supposed to represent the voters does not respond to their needs. I believe the chief reason for this is that it is ruled by a small group of old men." Chisholm's leadership traits were recognized by her parents early on. Born Shirley St. Hill in New York City, on November 30, 1924, she was the eldest of four daughters of Caribbean immigrants. She began her professional career as a nursery school teacher, eventually becoming director of a day care center, and later serving as an educational consultant with the city's child care department. She became active in local Democratic politics and ran successfully for the state Assembly in 1964. She bested James Farmer, the former national chairman of the Congress of Racial Equality, to gain the House seat in 1968. "I am the people's politician," she said at the time. "If the day should ever come when the people can't save me, I'll know I'm finished." After leaving Congress, Chisholm was named to the Purington Chair at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts, where she taught for four years. In later years she was a sought-after speaker on the lecture circuit. "Whether you agree with her politics or not, she had a moral compass," said Shola Lynch, director of "Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed," a documentary on her presidential campaign. "Why I was attracted to her story was because in some ways she's an average American woman who evolved into a a strong and courageous politician." Chisholm was married twice. Her 1949 marriage to Conrad Chisholm ended in divorce in February, 1977. Later that year she wed Arthur Hardwick Jr., who died in 1986. She had no children. "She was a mouthpiece for the underdog, the poor, underprivileged people, the people who did not have much of a chance," 88-year-old Conrad Chisholm told the AP early Monday from West Palm Beach. Once discussing what her legacy might be, Shirley Chisholm commented, "I'd like them to say that Shirley Chisholm had guts. That's how I'd like to be remembered." http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/03/obit.chisholm.ap/index.html
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Tishala
Member
08-01-2000
| Monday, January 03, 2005 - 8:52 am
You beat me to it, Ladyt! Thanks for posting it. She was a great, great woman.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Monday, January 03, 2005 - 8:54 am
Yes, she was. One of my longtime, personal heroes. I'm very sad to learn of this.
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Tishala
Member
08-01-2000
| Monday, January 17, 2005 - 4:05 pm
First, Happy MLK Jr. Day, everybody. But second, PBS is having a very interesting sounding documentary tonight and tomorrow night called "Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson." It's about the first African American heavyweight boxing champion and it's directed by Ken Burns, who brought us the PBS documentary series "The Civil War" and "Baseball."
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Monday, January 17, 2005 - 5:31 pm
Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta Georgia. His father was the minister of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, as was his father before him "M.L.," as he was called, lived with his parents, his sister and brother in Atlanta Ga. Their home was not far from the church his father preached at M.L.'s mother and father taught their children what would become an important part of M.L.'s life - to treat all people with respect. Martin's father worked hard to break down the barriers between the races. His father believed African-Americans should register their complaints by voting As M.L. grew up he found that not everyone followed his parents principles. He noticed that "black" people and white people where treated differently. He saw that he and his white friends could not drink from the same water fountains and could not use the same restrooms M.L.'s best friend as a child was a white boy and as children they played happily together. But when they reached school age the friends found that even though they lived in the same neighborhood, they could not go to the same school. M.L.'s friend would go to a school for white children only and M.L. was sent to a school for "black" children. After the first day of school M.L. and his friend were never allowed to play together again When M.L. was ready for college he decided to follow his father and become a minister. While attending the Crozer Theological seminary in Pennsylvania he became familiar with Mahatma Gandhi, who had struggled to free the people of India from British rule by "peaceful revolution" M.L. was also inspired by the work of Henry David Thoreau, particularly his essay called "Civil Disobedience." It stated that if enough people would follow their conscience and disobey unjust laws, they could bring about a peaceful revolution It was also at college that M.L. met a young woman named Coretta Scott and they would eventually marry. In 1954 M.L. received his PhD. and accepted the job of pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama Martin Luther King, Jr. would now be addressed as "Dr. King" Dr. King's involvement with the civil rights movement began with the arrest of Mrs. Rosa Parks on December 1st , 1955. Mrs. Parks, a African-American seamstress on her way home from work, was arrested for not giving a white bus rider her seat. Mrs. Parks was not the first African-American to be arrested for this "crime", but she was well known in the Montgomery African-American community Dr. King and the other African-American community leaders felt a protest was needed. The African-American residents of the city were asked to boycott the bus company by walking and driving instead. The United States Supreme Court would end the boycott, which lasted 381 days, by declaring that Alabama's state and local laws requiring segregation on buses were illegal. The boycott was a success and Dr. King had showed that peaceful mass action could bring about change In January 1957 the Souther Christian Leadership Conference (SCLSC) was formed with Dr. King as their president. The following May 17, Dr. King would lead a mass march of 37,000 people to the front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC Dr. King had become the undisputed leader of the civil rights movement Partly in response to the march, on September 9, 1957, the US Congress created the Civil Rights Commission and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, an official body with the authority to investigate voting irregularities Dr. King and the SCLC organized drives for African-American voter registration, desegregation, and better education and housing throughout the South. Dr. King continued to speak. He went to many cities and towns. He was greeted by crowds of people who wanted to hear him speak. He said all people have the right to equal treatment under the law. Many people believed in these civil rights and worked hard for them Dr. King was asked constantly to speak. So in order to spend more time with his family he wrote his first book, Stride Toward Freedom which was a success. While signing copies of his book in Harlem, NY an African-American woman stepped forward and plunged a letter opener into Dr. King's chest. Dr. King recovered from his wound and the woman was eventually declared insane In February 1959 Dr. and Mrs. King went to India, the homeland of Mahatma Ghandi,. In India Dr. King studied Satyagraha, Gandhi's principle of nonviolent persuasion. Dr. King was determined to use Satyagraha as his main instrument of social protest After his return to America, Dr. King returned home to Atlanta, Ga. where he shared the ministerial duties of the Ebenezer Baptist Church with his father. The move also brought Dr. King closer to the center of the growing civil rights movement In January 1963 Dr. King announced he and the Freedom Fighters would go to Birmingham to fight the segregation laws. An injunction was issued forbidding any demonstrations and Dr. King and the others were arrested Upon his release there were more peaceful demonstrations. The police retaliated with water hoses, tear gas and dogs. All this happened in the presence of television news cameras. It would be the first time the world would see the brutality that the southern African-Americans endured. The news coverage would help bring about changes as many Americans were disgusted and ashamed by the cruelty and hatred Continuing the fight for civil rights and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, on August 28, 1963 200,000 people gathered in the front to the Lincoln Memorial. It was a peaceful protest, made up of African-Americans and whites, young and old. Most had come to hear Dr. King deliver his famous "I have a dream" speech 1964 would be a good year for Dr. King and the civil rights movement. Dr. King was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize as someone who "had contributed the most to the furtherance of peace among men." Dr. King would divide the prize money, $54,000, among various civil rights organizations President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law. It guaranteed that "No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination" In the winter of 1965 Dr. King lead a march from Selma, Alabama to the state capital in Montgomery to demand voting reforms. 600 marchers would begin the march but after 6 blocks the marchers were met by a wall of state troupers. When the troopers with clubs, whips and tear gas advanced on the marchers it was described "as a battle zone." The marchers were driven back while on the sidewalks whites cheered. 2 ministers, 1 white and 1 African-American, were killed and over 70 were injured with 17 hospitalized. It was the most violent confrontation Dr. King had experienced A court order overturning the injunction against the march was issued and the marchers were allowed to proceed. When they arrived in Montgomery the marchers were greeted by 25,000 supporters singing 'We Shall Overcome." On August 6, 1965 a voting rights bill was passed allowing African-Americans to vote Dr. King believed that poverty caused much of the unrest in America. Not only poverty for African-Americans, but poor whites, Hispanics and Asians. Dr. King believed that the United States involvement in Vietnam was also a factor and that the war poisoned the atmosphere of the whole country and made the solution of local problems of human relations unrealistic This caused friction between King and the African-American leaders who felt that their problems deserved priority and that the African-American leadership should concentrate on fighting racial injustice at home. But by early 1967 Dr. King had become associated with the antiwar movement Dr. King continued his campaign for world peace. He traveled across America to support and speak out about civil rights and the rights of the underprivileged. In April 1968 Dr. King went to Memphis, Tennessee to help the sanitation workers who were on strike. On April 3rd Dr. King would give what would be his last speech: "We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I have been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord" The following day, April 4 1968, as he was leaving his motel room Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot and killed. http://www.holidays.net/mlk/story.htm
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