FROM TH E CH AI RMAN
Chairman’s Corner The Chairman’s Corner: Dr. Bernard Lafayette Day in Selma
Written by: Maynard Eaton Managing Editor
A Selma, Alabama street had already been named in his honor, but shortly thereafter on May 14th officials there also wanted to salute SCLC Chairman Dr. Bernard Lafayette Jr. for his historic contributions as the architect of the legendary Selma to Montgomery Movement. Following the ceremonies, we talked about it briefly in an interview that follows. Maynard Eaton: What was your reaction to this event? What did it mean to you? Dr. Bernard Lafayette: “It was somewhat of a surprise. I was totally engulfed in trying to think about such a great honor. And these are the people who live in Selma, grew up there and I knew them when they were just young children. To hear them talk about I had such an impact on their lives, and they felt that I made a difference. Some of them were elected officials. The mayor was 13 years old when (the Selma Movement) happened, and he is there looking at me and telling me I made them who they are. So, to have such an impact on persons who grew up during that period and were involved in the Selma Movement, it really made me feel a sense of worthwhileness. “All of these years – we are talking about back in the ‘60’s now – I did not get any special recognition because my mission was to evolve leadership that would make a difference and make changes that would were necessary; and teach people how to do that so everybody would be better off. We were not just trying to help Black folk. We wanted everybody to be able to change and not allow the racism that existed to make their lives miserable. “I had to think and wonder why in the course of that Movement that there were not any Black
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SCLC National Magazine/ Spring 2022 Issue
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