In celebration of the 227th anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution, students and faculty gathered on Thursday for a teach in, focusing on the 50th year anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The event hosted by the political science and criminal justice, history and journalism and mass communication departments, allowed students and faculty to share and reflect on memories involving Civil Rights.
Civil rights activist, Bob Zellner, also a former member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, better known as SNCC, was a guest speaker. Zellner who comes from a family line of Ku Klux Klan men was influenced to become involved with the Civil Rights Movement.
Zellner’s father a Methodist preacher and former Klan man was the main reason he became involved.
Zellner recounted his encounters with Dr. Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. “They were normal people, who just wanted to make a difference,” said Zellner. According to Zellner, if Dr. King was still alive today he would be proud of the advances made; however, he would say that there is still a lot of work to be done. “People need to be able to take a risk. Pay attention to those who are still poor and give back for changes to happen,” said Zellner.
Students and guests were also encouraged to speak about the rights of minorities, as well as future initiatives. Of these people was civics and economics teacher Demonte Alford. “The system does not value us as people, so it’s our duty to value the system and change the system.” Both men agree that the best way to change the system and make a change is by voting and encouraging others to vote.
“We want them to know about their history, to feel compelled to learn about their history,” said Dr. Vanessa Cunningham- Engram, a professor in the journalism department and coordinator of Constitution Day.
Students and faculty members were encouraged to vote and be informed. “Know what they are voting for and to inform other people who do not have the knowledge they have,” said Cunningham-Engram.
For further involvement attending the 3-3-3 Democracy/Voter Empowerment Campaign, on Sept. 28, 2014 will be beneficial. The campaign is designed to make use of all resources and tools to inform, inspire, and maximize Guilford County voting in the November 2014 elections.
The next gathering will take place at Shiloh Baptist Church, 1210 Eugene St. Greensboro, N.C., at 4:00 pm.
—Email Dante at [email protected] and follow us on Twitter @theatregister
- Dante Miller Contributor