Welcome to Sojourn to the Past

Back in September, we wrote a blog about Jerry Mitchell and his amazing story about how he’s been devoting much of his career to tirelessly reporting on unresolved Civil Rights crimes from decades past.  For said work, he was this year awarded one of the prestigious MacArthur Foundation ‘Genius Grants’.

In case anyone missed it, we just wanted to make sure we made mention of his appearance on Comedy Central’s Colbert Report last month.  This was just absolutely wonderful exposure for the results of so many years of hard work, due to the humorous, tongue-in-cheek pundit’s large national following.

Watch the video online at Colbert Nation:

Director Lee Daniels

Coming off of directing Precious, what could very possible be an Oscar-contender this year, it’s been released that director Lee Daniels is in “advanced negotiations” to direct Selma – a film about the 1965 march in Dallas County Alabama that essentially embodies the height of the Civil Rights movement.  While Precious was based on a Novel – Sapphire’s “Push” – the Selma script is the product of Paul Webb (who has long-been involved on Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln which is still not  yet finished).

As if you need even more reasons to excitedly anticipate this project, the film’s producer is Christian Colson, who most recently won an Oscar for the international stand-out film Slumdog Millionaire.  Additionally, Plan B – the production company belonging to Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, and Jeremy Kleiner – is coming onto the project to co-produce.  Though, no cast or budget has been released yet.

From the people involved alone, this is a work that is bound to be as impressive as it is moving.  As the guys at Collider note, “It doesn’t take a genius to tell this project is being set up for some serious awards consideration in 2010 should it complete production and hit theaters next year.”  They continue that it should, “have some support not only because of its subject matter, but because of the success of Precious both critically and at the box office.”

Here’s to hoping that a film that caliber of Slumdog generates not only attention from the press, but is an inspiration to high-profile celebrities and viewers alike to get involved in the continuing fight for equal Civil Rights for all.

After delaying the announcement an additional 24 hours, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced today in Los Angeles that the current in-house Deputy Chief Charlie Beck will replace Chief William Bratton. During Bratton’s service of seven years in the position, crime decreased and he is also credited with improving race relations within the city.

The early responses to the nomination are positive from many, including the likes of other city officials.  Sheriff Lee Baca is quoted saying, “We have had a successful working relationship with the Los Angeles Police Department for many years, and we anticipate that partnership will continue under new Police Chief Charlie Beck.”

LA Times Opinion columnist Tim Rutten writes:

The mayor’s choice to lead the LAPD is committed to reform and has a strong support from civil rights activists and Latino, African American and immigrant leaders in the community.

The positive initial responses from key people in the city, as well as the supportive sentiments from those leaders representing many diverse factions of the city, are early indicators that Deputy Chief Beck will continue work on the track that Chief Bratton started – aiming for strong enforcement, while protecting the civil rights of the city’s residents.

Charlie Beck is a 32-year veteran on the LAPD force, who built relationships with many of the activists and leaders that supported him during his project of the rehabilitation of LAPD’s formerly-chaotic Rampart Division, as well as while he ran the department’s South Los Angeles operations.

After over ten years of activists pushing for an expanded definition of what ‘hate crimes’ covers, yesterday President Barack Obama signed into law a provision that does just that.  Attached to a defense authorization bill, the Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, is named after Matthew Shepard, a gay college student tortured and killed in 1998, and James Byrd Jr., a black man who was dragged to death after being chained to a pickup truck that same year.

Judy Shepard, mother of slain Matthew Shepard, and President Obama

The signing of the measure by the President was attended by many, including Shepard’s parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard, as well as members of the family of the late Senator Ted Kennedy, to whom the measure was always clearly a priority.  Speaking about the new law, Obama articulated the following, that was greeted by applause:

“We’ve passed inclusive hate crimes legislation to help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like, who they love, how they pray, or who they are.”

The law broadens the scope of the statute passed in the 1968 aftermath of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., which previously used language that made hate crimes those crimes that were committed against people  because of their race, religion or national origin.  The new legislation expands hate crimes to included those attacked based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

This also allows that the U.S. Justice Department has expanded authority to prosecute such crimes when local authorities don’t.

While Sojourn to the Past focuses our educational trip on the Civil Rights Movement activities that happened decades ago, we agree that any day where progress is made to protect the rights of all Americans is a victory in line with our efforts.

Friday, prominent Civil Rights activist Medgar Evers – who was murdered in 1963 in his own driveway after meeting with NAACP lawyers – was honored with the naming of a Navy Supply Ship after him. This follows a Navy tradition of giving ships in the support fleet names of honored pioneers, explorers, and other notables.

Medgar Evers, Civil Rights Activist and Honoree

The announcement was made during former Mississippi governor and current Navy Secretary Ray Mabus’s speech at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi.

Evers, who was the NAACP’s first field secretary for the state of Mississippi, was integral during the Civil Rights Movement in MS, in organizing nonviolent protests, voter registration drives, and boycotts. And, his tragic death was the impetus that prompted President John F. Kennedy to ask Congress for a comprehensive civil rights bill.

An administration statement that was released in conjunction with the Navy’s announcement said the following of Evers:

“At a time when our country was wrestling with finally ending segregation and racial injustice, Evers lead civil rights efforts to secure the right to vote for all African-Americans and to integrate public facilities, schools and restaurants.”

Medgar Evers was thirty-seven years old when he was shot, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Sojourn to the Past remembers, recognizes, and honors Civil Rights activists who came before us like Mr. Evers. We hope to continue his legacy of nonviolent, educated actions in the fight for equality for all.

Thomas Perez

Earlier today, the Senate voted 72-22 to confirm President Barack Obama’s nominee to lead the Civil Rights Division within the Justice Department. Civil Rights attorney Thomas E. Perez was named Assistant Attorney General, Head of the Civil Rights Division. Once announced as the nominee, confirmation hearings were held back in April; however, debate between party lines kept him in the holding pattern until recently.

Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, had the following to say about the confirmation:

“There are no questions about the qualifications of Tom Perez. During his confirmation hearing, Mr. Perez made clear his commitment that the Justice Department would enforce the law. In the arena of civil rights, living up to those assurances is particularly important. Given that Tom Perez has a distinguished record of public service and a long career advancing civil rights, I have full confidence that he is the right person to restore the Civil Rights Division to its finest traditions of independent law enforcement.”

To learn more about Thomas Perez, visit his page in Maryland’s Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation, where he served as Secretary of the Department.

How World Peace Starts, by Getty Images

Truman Capote once said, “A conversation is a dialogue, not a monologue.”  Dialogue – by definition – is an exchange of ideas or opinions between two or more persons.  However, as Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese monk, writer, and activist points out, “In true dialogue, both sides are willing to change.”  It makes one stop and think: How often are people, specifically Americans, having true discussions about anything at all – let alone in the context of the topic of race.

There was no shortage of people, who, when Barack Obama was elected 44th President of the United States proclaimed that the benchmark of selecting a non-white President meant that we were living in a ‘post-racial era’.  What we’ve seen in the months since – from the commentary surrounding a Newsweek cover asking ‘Is Your Baby Racist?’ to the sentiments that former President Jimmy Carter shared about much of the country not being ready for an African-American President – is that the nation is not living in a post-racial anything.  For better or for worse, racially-rooted issues are now just as prevalent as ever.  What more realistically has arrived through ushering in the Obama administration is that with the amount of coverage our media-savvy President receives, the idea of race weaves itself into more and more conversations.  It allows race (and racism) to be addressed, rather than something many people would prefer not to talk about.  It challenges parents and companies alike to answer questions they avoided before.  And it stirs minds – both young and old – to perhaps consider something they hadn’t before.

In introducing these fresh dialogues, Slate magazine online provides an interest-piquing commentary about racism – and how its meaning has been diluted by its somewhat over-use this year.  It has become a convenient political insult [from both sides of the aisle], instead of describing intentional disparities in equality that are race-based.

At the end of the day, it’s clear that true racism and racial discrimination still exist in a country that was founded on the freedoms that are the polar opposite of those hateful sentiments.  The answer is not simple, and won’t happen over-night because of any political or cultural event.  But, organizations like Sojourn to the Past and others who share our vision, know that inciting intelligent, non-threatening conversation and education – especially among young people – are a big step in the process.  We believe strongly that empowering America’s youth to understand the past, and to inspire others to positive action for the future is our best chance and biggest influence in the fight to equality for all.

This week, The 14th Dalai Lama is in Memphis, Tennessee to receive the 2009 International Freedom Award from the National Civil Rights Museum.  The Freedom Awards is an annual event, which serves as the Museum’s largest fundraiser, and that honors individuals who have made significant contributions in civil rights and who have laid the foundation for present and future leaders in the battle for human rights.  Presenting the Dalai Lama with the key to the city and a proclamation making him an official citizen of Memphis for his devotion to civil rights, were Shelby County Mayor AC Wharton, Jr. and Memphis Mayor Myron Lowery.

His Holiness, The 14th Dalai Lama

The National Civil Rights Museum is located in the Lorraine Motel, which is known because it is the assassination site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  “I never met him, but I admire him very much,” he said.  According to a Huffington Post article by Tamara Conniff, the Dalai Lama became quiet and pensive at the mention of Dr. King’s name, as paying homage to the influential Civil Rights leader is what prompted His Holiness to make the trek to Memphis.

Though living what seems like decades and worlds apart, the Dalai Lama and Dr. King have a distinguishing fact in common: in the face of adversity, the common thread in each of their fights wasn’t a fight at all – it was more powerful than that – it was an unyielding strong-hold to the ideals of non-violent action.  In the Civil Rights era in the United States, King was the face of peaceful protest of all that was unjust about the law; in modern day China, the exiled religious leader infuses all of his Free Tibet messages with stresses of this same notion.

Sojourn to the Past salutes the 2009 winners of the Freedom Awards, and their committment to conquering inequality without violent confrontation or conflict.  Sojourn to the Past’s vision promotes social justice through non-violence and inspired action.

It’s not even been a month yet since Senator Ted Kennedy passed away, having unfortunately lost his battle with cancer, in the form of a malignant brain tumor.  Already, as the debate rages on about who will step into his role as a Senator from Massachusetts, it becomes blatantly apparent that it will be a long time before anyone truly fills his shoes; the absence of this man’s presence in Washington has not gone unnoticed by those living or working in the District and across the Nation.

Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy

Anyone who viewed any of the myriad of coverage of his memorial services, funeral, tributes, other dedications, or celebrations of the man’s life could see that it was made clear what an influential, passionate, and respected politician he was – as people on all sides of the political spectrum took a time out to share stories of their experiences with Senator Kennedy as the world watched and grieved at our collective loss.

As the third-longest-serving senator in United States history, the list of essential bills that Senator Kennedy was involved in or responsible for passing is more than most Presidents can boast.  However, one undeniable theme is present among so much of the legislation he pushed for – and that is his unwavering support, stubborn dedication, and relentless progressive action for equal rights for all Americans.  Senator Kennedy maintained a steadfast presence in reform regarding an array of causes from disability discrimination and mental health benefits, to children’s health insurance and cancer research, and of course – civil rights.

Senator Ted Kenney, the "Lion of the Senate", gives one of his famous rousing speeches.

Kennedy’s campaign appearance in support of then-Democratic-Presidential-contender Barack Obama on the day before Super Tuesday is largely viewed as a major factor in Obama’s successes that day.  Once elected, President Obama made a statement thanking Senator Kennedy, crediting key legislation the he had pushed over the years as being part of the reason he was even able to run for President in 2008.  USA RiseUp posted a great piece last month about Senator Kennedy’s impact on race relations during his Senate tenure.

Like Senator Kennedy inspired goodwill action in so many Americans, with the hope to create a better country for all to live in, Sojourn to the Past seeks to inspire young people, who may one day end up in influential political, civil, or social positions.  Sojourn educates young people about the history of the fight for civil rights in the United States, and prepares them to have the knowledge and experience to draw from when called upon to lead others in the constant movement towards equal rights – among all people.

For more information on Senator Ted Kennedy, and his life and legacy, visit his Senate page on the web.

Wade Henderson, President of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights

As the Convention was calling to a vote on organizing, the President of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR) Wade Henderson told members that union freedoms are, indeed, an issue related to civil rights. And, in addition he urged Congress to pass the Employee Free Choice Act, assuring that the civil rights community would work in conjunction with union representatives to see that happen. “Union participation can begin to lift the dead weight of decades of discrimination. For African Americans, women and Latinos the best way to build a better life is to join together with others to form a union,” said Henderson. Need proof? The advantage of being in a union is obvious to Henderson, who cited that African American union members earn 28 percent more than their nonunion counterparts.

Student Alumni of Sojourn to the Past will always share common ground.

The past student participants of Sojourn to the Past are not unlike a union in many ways. They shared a similar experience that establishes common ground. They have a bond that even though they may not personally know those who have gone before them or after them, they look to them as a teammate. They know that together their voices are much louder than any single one of them screaming at the cause all alone. And they are committed to pushing and pulling each other through triumphant and difficult times, taking turns leading if another stumbles. The Sojourn alumni, perhaps most importantly, believe in perpetuation – they are not acting solely on their own behalf, but for the betterment of the lives of the generations to come.
Check out some of the things that students who have made the Sojourn journey have to say here and be inspired!