Wow, it was an intense and amazing day in the Delta. Charles McLaurin, "a legend" of the Civil Rights Movement as one of the people we met in Indianola said, took us lucky campers to movement sites and shared his recollections. Margaret Block, a courageous movement participant, and a currently rockin' poet and activist, also moved and shook us. She read her poetry out loud and wow, could she sing. The combination of Block and James (David James) was electric. They were trying to outdo each other in coming up with Movement songs the other had not heard. We were the beneficiaries as they led us in song after song and also as they both gave their tributes to Fannie Lou Hamer at her gravesite. There are no words for how she has influenced us all, including Charles McLaurin, who continues her movement organizing legacy to this day by bringing Movement history to us and to the Sunflower County Freedom Project (SCFP)students.
We were hosted beautifully by those student and by Greg McCoy, the SCFP leader. The high school students showed us around the project in rural Sunflower County, and performed a play about Fannie Lou Hamer. Our own Julaine James outdid herself playing Fannie Lou Hamer. I was proud of her and of all the Freedom Summer students, who have been asking interesting and thoughtful questions of our speakers and who have participated 100% in everything we have done. Each one participates in his or her own way, but the combination is our beloved community. This is one of the most intense days of the trip, so take care of yourself everybody, be kind to yourself and to your fellow Freedom Summer students and leader.
Peace out,
Dr. T
1 comment:
Amazing pictures Dr.T! I thought it was really special that we got to have the little repitorie going on between Mac and Ms. Block it defintely seemed like she was one of the more militant minded youths involved with the movement. She was so great and her poetry was bomb for sure.
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