14 minute read
An Interview with Jessica Epperson
Street view protesters create a mob scene blocking an intersection for George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement. Tacoma June 1, 2020.
Lane, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao — with aiding and abetting second-degree murder. On April 20, 2021 Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all charges.
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HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STRUGGLE
- Walter M. Kimbrough, Dillard University President
Black Americans had no option but to fend for themselves when the Jim Crow Laws were in full swing. Since they could not get into white-run colleges and universities, something had to be done to ensure that young Black people were not left behind academically. This need to ensure that young Black students got the education they deserved led to the establishment of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), which were designed to offer quality and accredited education to black youth all over the United States.
There is no gainsaying the impact HBCUs have had on the Black Community especially in terms of creating that equalizing effect and changing the course of Black lives. Currently, about 25 percent of all Black graduates in Science and Technology and Mathematics are products of HBCUs. Studies carried out by the department of education show that 75 percent of Black Americans holding Doctorate degrees, 75 percent of Black officers in the armed forces and 80 percent of Black Federal Judges have a background in HBCU institutions.
The purpose of HBCUs formation was to ensure inclusivity and offer opportunities to people who may not be able to receive the same elsewhere. It must be mentioned that this
does in no guise affect the quality of education on offer to these Black students. In our modern world where the
Jim Crow Laws are no longer in practice, racial prejudice remains a part and parcel of our everyday existence the inclusivity practiced in HBCU schools mean that the marginalized people of America and other races still gain quality education.
At a time when Black American youths may be confused by what is going on or swayed by the skewed histories surrounding them, HBCUs are the perfect equalizers, offering these students a focal point and a stable direction. They have teachers who are steeped in the African American cultural history, who are aware of the past and could guide these students to navigate the waters without losing it all. These colleges and universities are charged not only with being a safe space for everybody, but they also take on the
burden of preserving Black History and Culture, ensuring that the truth remains accessible.
Virginia State University offers a course on the History of the Historically Black College and University, critical analysis and writing that discusses the historical and cultural topic within Historically Black College and University. Besides Virginia State University, other HBCUs like Johnson C. Smith University and others are creating innovative curricular changes that ensure that black history is not completely wiped off nascent memory.
There are financial mechanisms in place to help students remain in school even when it seems they cannot go on anymore. HBCUs actively fight to help their students keep down student loans and graduate without being swallowed up in debt; this is the battle they fight, remembering the pains of the past, they fight for today and the future, for those who have no one else to fight for them.
HIDDEN RACISM
- Maya Angelou
The American landscape has been littered with several instances of racial prejudice. The biggest problem is no longer the overt racial bias or the whips to the back or the obvious elitist behavior of those who believe that they are much better than other people because of their skin color; the problem at this time is hidden, lurking behind the surface, constantly threatening to burst out of the shadows and destroy unsuspecting people.
On the surface, one would think that racism is not a thing anymore. Segregation is over, everyone can vote, the market is freer than it had ever been, and opportunities are available for everyone. Yet all of these are simply on the surface, the important actions and reactions are taking place in the background. Oftentimes, discussions of racial issues are not approached as they are because of the institutionalized nature of racism. It has become a deep part of most organizations where people just take one look at a person and decide that the individual is either dangerous or unqualified simply by their skin color.
The picture of African Americans dominating the prisons teaches the next generation that Blacks are naturally criminals. It is these simple issues that continually plant ideas in the mind of the next generation, making racism a difficult thing to eradicate. The continued enforcement of certain stereotypes continually handicaps the Black population.
The walk has been long, and the night has been even longer. Blacks have been struggling year after year, movement after movement to escape the shackles of racism. In the 21st century, there should be more respect for human life and less consideration for the color of the skin. Yet most
of the country will continue to deny the existence of white privilege and the racial imbalance in the United States.
Sources
Hbr.org/2019/towards-a-racially-just-world
Sentencingproject.org
History.com/topics/blackhistory/slavery Theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_ life/article
Bbc.com/news/world-us-canada
Brittannica.com/event/American-civil-rightsmovement/Montgomery-bus-bycott-to-thevoting-rights-act History.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-act
Thebestschools.org/magazine/past-presentfuture-importance-of-hbcus/
WHEN DID YOU FIRST LEARN ABOUT THE FREEDOM RIDERS?
Ifirst learned about the Freedom Riders in 2019. Superintendent Kris Butcher and I had worked together in another park and when he told me he was going to be the Superintendent here I looked to see what the Freedom
Rides were.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN EDUCATION?
I always thought that I was going to be a teacher. When I was young, I always wanted to play school and, while I was a terrible student, I had always wanted to be a teacher. Having barely graduated my parents suggested the military and that seemed like a good choice at the time so I went for it. After serving in the U.S. Navy for five years I came home and worked for the YMCA as an afterschool care provider and then served a mission for my church. Those were my first real experiences with any kind of teaching. When I came back from my mission I went to college and got my Bachelors with a double major in Spanish and Political Science. After graduation I started teaching as a long-term sub. I had never had any formal teaching education and kind of jumped right in. I was a long-term sub for about 2 months when they filled the position permanently and spent the rest of my time working as a dental assistant part time and as a substitute the rest of the time. During the long-term sub position, I started my Masters Program in Education. The next school year I got a teaching position in Florida and stayed there for 3 years. Then moved to Maryland and taught for a year. And my last year of classroom teaching was 2015-2016 school year. I was discouraged because I hated teaching. After thinking my whole life that that was what I was meant to do, and getting the degrees, and spending the time I was upset that I was so unhappy in my job. But I quit. I didn’t know what I was going to do but I couldn’t be a classroom teacher anymore. I was too unhappy. So, I turned to my parents for counsel, and they recommended the federal government. I didn’t know what I was going to do in the federal government but I started searching and saw a posting for a job at the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park for an Education Specialist. I read the description and said to myself “I can do that!” So, I applied and 3 months later I was working for the park service.
WHAT FUELED YOUR PASSION FOR EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT THE FREEDOM RIDERS?
My passion is teaching. It turns out I was just not meant to be a classroom teacher. The thing I am most grateful for in this opportunity is that I get to develop education programs that will provide important resources to teachers. I don’t remember learning about the Freedom Rides in school. g
I don’t ever remember even hearing about them. So having the opportunity to make sure that students don’t leave school as ignorant about the Civil Rights Movement as I did is what fuels me now. I am excited to begin program development and work with local teachers to identify the needs and see how our resources can help to meet those needs.
HOW DOES EDUCATION PLAY A KEY ROLE IN UNITING OUR COMMUNITIES?
I think that education plays a huge role in uniting our communities because the divide in our communities comes
from ignorance. Education is the key to overcoming ignorance.
HOW DO YOU THINK THE FREEDOM RIDERS NATIONAL MONUMENT HAS PUSHED THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOMENTUM SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 2017?
Honestly, since its establishment in 2017 the park has had a slow start. Between temporary superintendents and having no permanent staff we have not done as much as we could have. But now, with a permanent superintendent and a permanent ranger dedicated just to Freedom Riders National Monument, we have started a Ranger Reads program in partnership with the Public Library of AnnistonCalhoun County, we have opened the bus depot as an exhibit space, we have reached out to and connected with 64 living Freedom Riders, and we have major plans for the summer and the rest of the 60th anniversary year to help educate and unite the community.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE TAKE AWAY FROM THEIR TIME SPENT AT THE FREEDOM RIDERS NATIONAL MONUMENT?
Something we talk about a lot is that people have heard of segregation. We learn about it in school. But people don’t really understand segregation. Not what it felt like, not what it looked like. We want people to realize how demeaning and dividing, and terrible segregation was. We want people to understand why these Freedom Rides were so important and how the first ride of 1961 sparked more rides. That ride moved people to action to fight against injustice. As we work to get the bus depot restored, we hope to be able to tell this story in a way that continues to move people to action and to see that the work is not over.
WHAT IS THE OVERALL TONE OF THE FREEDOM RIDERS NATIONAL MONUMENT? WHAT IMPACT DOES THE FREEDOM RIDERS NATIONAL MONUMENT EXPERIENCE TYPICALLY LEAVE ON ITS VISITORS?
This is a new monument and we do not have a lot of
visitations but I think one of the most impactful things is realizing how recent the history is. People come in and tell us stories about their grandparents or parents living here and hearing about it. But we also hear stories of people who lived here during that time and had no idea it was going on.
WHAT WAS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE LUMINARY LIGHTING THAT WAS HELD IN HONOR OF THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY?
The Luminary Lighting was meant to honor all of the Freedom Riders. Not just the ones on that burning bus, but all of those people that were brave enough to stand up and make change.
WHAT EXHIBITS DOES THE FREEDOM RIDERS NATIONAL MONUMENT OFFER NOW? WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE FROM THE FREEDOM RIDERS NATIONAL MONUMENT IN THE FUTURE?
There is a kiosk at the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce building that provides educational information about the Freedom Riders. There is a new wayside at the burn site. And a rotating exhibit in the bus depot. Currently we are offering the Freedom Riders Exhibit but that exhibit in the depot will change monthly, but all exhibits will be focused on a part of the Civil Rights Movement.
THE FREEDOM RIDES CARRY HARROWING STORIES ABOUT MORE THAN JUST A BUS RIDE THROUGH THE SOUTH FOR CIVIL RIGHTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE BUS BURNING. IT IS OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT TO ILLUMINATE THE DARK TRUTHS OF THE HORRIFIC VIOLENCE, HATE AND RACIAL INJUSTICES THAT OCCURRED DURING THESE RIDES. WHAT IS THE CORRELATION BETWEEN VIOLENCE AND CHANGE?
I don’t know. In my opinion, I think that the violence correlates with change because it is what called people to action. Seeing that bus burning. Seeing Freedom Riders beaten and harassed, motivated others to stand up and step in. It was a call to action.
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1. Left to Right: Reggie Tiller (Freedom Riders NM Superintendent), Tom Medema (NPS Chief of Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers), State Rep. Barbara Boyd, Sherri Fields (Deputy Regional Director) Photo provided by National Park Service (NPS). 2. Left to Right: Barbara Boyd (State Representative), Glenda Gaither Wright (Freedom Rider), Hank Thomas (Freedom Rider), Tom Medema (NPS Chief of Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers), David Reddick (Anniston City Councilman), Jack Draper (Anniston Mayor), Charles D. Gregory, Sr. (Pastor and High School Principal), Reggie Tiller (Freedom Riders NM Superintendent), Pete Conroy (Co-chair Freedom Riders Park Board), Bonny Wright (NPS Realty Specialist), and Bill Harbour (Freedom Rider and Co-chair of Freedom Riders Park Board). Photo provided by National Park Service (NPS). 3. Pete Conroy addresses the crowd during the celebration. He is the co-chair of the Freedom Riders Park Board. The Board was instrumental in the establishment of the new national monument. Photo provided by National Park Service (NPS). 4. The new Freedom Riders National Monument brochures and passport stamp kept rangers busy at the NPS information table. Photo provided by National Park Service (NPS).
NOTABLE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENTS SUCH AS THE MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT AND THE FREEDOM RIDES WERE CENTRALIZED ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, WHAT IMPORTANCE DID PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PLAY IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND WHY WAS IT SUCH A FOCAL POINT? DID THESE MOVEMENTS AROUND TRANSPORTATION ACT AS A SPRINGBOARD FOR A BIGGER PICTURE?
We know that public transportation was segregated. And the initial laws only desegregated interstate travel. And even those laws were not enforced. Being forced to give up seats to accommodate white passengers. Black people paying their bus fare and then getting off the bus to board in the back and having buses drive away with their money. Segregation was supposed to be “separate but equal” and having to give up your seat and stand so a white man could sit is not equal.
HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU BELIEVE IT IS TO REFLECT, REMEMBER AND KEEP ALIVE THESE CRUCIAL MOMENTS IN CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY ESPECIALLY IN TODAY’S SOCIAL CLIMATE?
If we do not learn about history, we are doomed to repeat it. We all know the saying and it is true. We see the separation of our society now with politics and parties attacking each other and dividing the nation. We are headed down a dangerous path if we cannot learn from our past. (End of interview) g
William “Bill” Harbour was 19 and a student at Tennessee State University when he joined the Freedom Rider Movement. He is also the co-chair of the Freedom Riders Park Board. Photo provided by National Park Service (NPS).
BRIEF HISTORY & CULTURE
In the spring of 1961, a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” set out to challenge discriminatory state laws and local customs that required a separation of the races on buses and in bus station facilities, like waiting areas, lunch counters, and restrooms. Their journey was dramatically opposed by white supremacists who viciously attacked the Freedom Riders on multiple occasions.
Through the media, the nation and the world witnessed the violence. Images, like that of a firebombed bus burning outside Anniston, Alabama, shocked the American public and created political pressure, which forced the Federal Government to take steps to ban segregation in interstate bus travel.
Although only thirteen Freedom Riders started the journey, they inspired hundreds of others to join their cause. In the end there were over 400 Freedom Riders. They succeeded in pressing the federal government to act. On May 29, 1961, Attorney General Robert Kennedy petitioned the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to issue regulations banning segregation, and the ICC subsequently decreed that by November 1, 1961, bus carriers and terminals serving interstate travel had to be integrated.
The Freedom Rides and Freedom Riders made substantial
gains in the fight for equal access to public accommodations. Federal orders to remove Jim Crow signs on interstate facilities did not change social mores or political institutions overnight, but the Freedom Riders nonetheless struck a powerful blow to racial segregation.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Freedom Riders National Monument is a new national park unit. The national park includes the former Greyhound Bus Station located at 1031 Gurnee Avenue in downtown
Anniston where segregationists attacked a bus carrying Freedom Riders in May of 1961, and the spot six miles away on the side of the highway where they firebombed the hobbled bus and attempted to trap the Freedom Riders inside it. There are currently no visitor services at the park.
Greyhound Bus Station (1031 Gurnee Avenue) On Sunday, May 14, 1961, a group of segregationists, including g
