Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 1-17-17 Edition

Local
Civil Rights Activist: ‘We Must Pray For Our Youth’
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Beginning with the turbu- lent 1960s, many African Americans risked their lives nationwide to eliminate dis- crimination. That sentiment was echoed locally as well.
President-Elect Donald Trump has chosen Jeff Ses- sions as his U. S. General. Sessions’ confirmation hear- ing covered two days, with many speaking in his favor and against him.
One of those against his confirmation was U. S. Con- gressman John Lewis. A native of Alabama, Con- gressman Lewis said, “I have tasted the bitter fruit of segregation and discrimina- tion. I grew up with the “Whites Only” bathrooms and drinking fountains.
“... Those who took a strong stand against any- thing had to be willing to sac- rifice his life... We have come a long way since President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voter’s Rights Bill on Au- gust 6, 1965, but we are not there year. It seems there are forces that want to push us back and we don’t want to go back there. ... We need some- one who will stand up, speak up, and speak out for all peo- ple.... We all live in the same house. We need someone who will look out for all of us and not just some of us...”
Congressman Lewis
spoke about the March on Washington in 1963, and ab0ut the beatings, fire hoses and dogs used on himself and others as they attempted to cross the Edmund Pettis Bridge, in Selma, Alabama, on March 7, 1965. The day is remembered in history as “Bloody Sunday.”
Mrs. Ann Porter, re- tired Civil Rights Activist and former President of the NAACP watched the confir- mation and shared her com- ments. She began her activism as a teenager.
“As we prepare to cele- brate the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I think about the Civil Rights Movement. And, I think about Bob Gilder, Rev. Dr. A. Leon Lowry,
Bob Saunders, Helen Saunders, Dr. Sam Hor- ton (all former Presidents of the Tampa Branch NAACP) ... are just some of the people on the frontline in our fight for Civil Rights. There are many others, too numerous to name. Most are all gone now, but we fought so hard
to get where we are today. They came and gave of them- selves.
“We risked our lives and it seems like it is going back to the way it was. We are going to have to encourage our young people to get in- volved because it seems like we are going back. I just pray
for those who must walk through this journey.
“We prayed that God guarded over us as we walked through that journey and we must pray that God will guard over our children. We must stay prayerful that the young will carry the torch on their journey.”
CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS
BOB SAUNDERS
DR. SAM HORTON
MRS. ANN PORTER
MRS. HELEN STRICKLAND SAUNDERS
REV. A. LEON LOWRY, SR.
BOB GILDER
Local NAACP Presidents
FYI
Black History Essay Contest
Florida Prepaid College Foundation is sponsoring Gov. Rick Scott’s Black History Month student essay contest — A Recognition of the Role of African-Americans in Shaping Florida Today. Three winners will be selected to each re- ceive a 4-Year Florida College Plan scholarship.
This year’s topic is to write about an African-American from Florida who played an important role in shaping today’s Florida.
To enter, write a 500-word (max) essay on the topic and submit it by January 20 (deadline). Students must be in grades 4-12 and a Florida resident to participate.
For complete contest rules and regulations, or to down- load or submit your entry form, go to floridablackhis- tory.com.
PAGE 4 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017