My upcoming novel, The Peach Seed, pulsates with history from the 1960s Albany GA Civil Rights Movement, founded and lead by an amalgamation of local groups including many young people involved with the newly formed Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), as highlighted in the recent post I did on Rev. Charles Sherrod.
The above quote is from a character in the novel, Olga Delzina Dukes, who is 88-years old in 2012, current day for the story. Olga is my homage to the many adult advisors who—to this day—risk much to shepherd young folk through the mine field of social/political activism. Researching American enslavement and civil rights is never easy, and always necessary in order to uplift themes shared by Juneteenth such as: community, family, history, legacy, love, hope & freedom.
May each of us take to heart Olga’s advice.
On November 17, 1961, in the home of Dr. Ed Hamilton, members of the Criterion Club, NAACP, Baptist Ministerial Alliance, Interdenominational Alliance, Federated Women’s Clubs, Masons, SNCC, and other interested citizens formed a coalition which was officially named The Albany Movement. It was an organization that Dr. Martin Luther King later described as “the most complete movement I’ve ever witnessed”.
From 2000 book, Open Dem Cells by Mary Royal Jenkins
Such an important day. I’m glad it’s finally a national holiday so more white folks are aware of it and can learn from history so we never repeat such crimes against humanity.
And, that Olga, she’s always full of wisdom.
Looking forward to reading what I know will be a
Memorable work for generations of young and old
especially for Southerners like me.