Hope in the Struggle

13th Annual McCarthy Center Residency with Dr. Josie Johnson

Every year, the McCarthy Center Residency highlights the work of extraordinary individuals in public service, policy, and politics. For the 13th annual residency, the McCarthy Center eagerly welcomed the civil rights champion, Dr. Josie Johnson. Throughout her career, Dr. Johnson has vigorously fought to dismantle the systemic racism in Minnesota. Her tenacious character led her to work with many organizations, including the League of Women Voters, NAACP, Minneapolis Urban League, and Democratic Farmer-Labor Party. A trailblazer in her field, Dr. Johnson also became the first Black woman on the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents.

I first met Dr. Johnson the morning of what was supposed to be the first day of the Spring Residency back in early March. The news of COVID-19 was starting to seep in, and due to clear health reasons, the residency was postponed. However, during my brief encounter with Dr. Johnson, we bonded over our similarities growing up; We both were born and raised in Houston, TX and later moved to a city in Minnesota. As Dr. Johnson recounted her first time in Minneapolis, it became clear to me that the Minnesota she experienced was completely different from what we know today. She recalls the deeply-seated racism that African Americans faced; including being denied the right to vote, holding a political office, and even serving on juries. Dr. Johnson gives a greater insight into these limitations of justice and her fight for fairness in her memoir, Hope in the Struggle.

"Growing up in a home and community that taught me the value that our ancestors place on education and service... helped create a tireless desire to be deeply involved with the struggle of my people. " - Josie Johnson

Dr. Josie Johnson

Prior to Dr. Johnson's original arrival, the McCarthy Center hosted a book club featuring Dr. Johnson's memoir, which was open to all of the CSB/SJU community. A variety of the CSB/SJU community made up the book club; staff, professors, and students were all eager to learn about and meet Dr. Johnson. A common theme throughout Dr. Josie's memoir that the book club resonated with was the importance of teaching African American history and making it part of our community. She mentions in her memoir, "growing up in a home and community that taught me the value that our ancestors place on education and service... helped create a tireless desire to be deeply involved with the struggle of my people. " Dr. Johnson's words proved to be true. The week prior to the book club discussion, the United States House of Representatives passed the Emmett Till Antilynching Act.

In late October, Dr. Josie Johnson came to back to CSBSJU virtually at an even more crucial time. The CSB/SJU community was adjusting to the new virtual reality all while mourning the deaths of George Floyd & Breonna Taylor. It was during all of this grief and chaos that Dr. Johnson's message was even more compelling. She graciously offered her way of remembering her own prayer about hope in the struggle, "I have friends who keep reminding me of the need to continue to have faith and my children and grandchildren offer me that because they are all engaged in one way or the other in the struggle of their ancestors. " Dr. Johnson's work continues to remind us to challenge ourselves and continue fighting for civil rights.

Written by Carolina Apaez '21