Tags
1965 Voting Rights Act, Afro American History makers, Alabama, Chicago, Civil Rights Movement, Community and Social Activism, Dr. Martin Luther King, Education, Father Pfleger, Jeremy Strong, Police Brutality, Princeton Theological Seminary, Racial Discrimination, Racial Equality, Reverend Clark Olsen, Reverend James Reeb, Reverent Olaf Miller, Selma, Social Causes, Social Justice, Unitarian Ministers
There are often things we glaze over in our history. Even in all of my studying I remember lightly who certain people were during the Civil Rights Movement and what powerful impact they had. Not getting a better understanding of each individual during the “Movement”. Each yaar I am peaked with more interests and more research.
So, I read about Reverend James Reeb. I found him to be fascinating man with genuine compassion for people. His heart for people who were less fortunate was almost mind consuming. He got down in the clenches to make a difference!
Reverend James Reeb, Born on New Years Day in Wichita, Kansas (January 1, 1927 …Died March 9, 1965) was a “Civil Rights Activist, Social Worker, an Unitarian Universalist, and a Scholar of Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary and St. Olaf College. An ordained Universalist Minister in 196
Check this out…He and his wife lived in the poorest part of a black neighborhoods in Boston, Massachusetts… He felt would really count the most and can monitor and service the need of the people.
He grew away from “traditional” church and wanted to make an impact in “Social Justice”… He was also a member of the “Southern Christian Leadership Conference”. Reverend Reeb and two other Unitarian clergymen Reverend Clark Olsen and Reverent Olaf Miller came to Selma, Alabama to protest for Afro-American voting rights.
On March 9, 1965 after leaving an integrated restaurant. All three ministers were brutally attacked by three white men with clubs beating Reverend Reeb in the head who had to undergo brain surgery in Birmingham but died two days later.
March 10…
This is when Dr. KIng made the speech regarding “cowardly attacks” and asked for prayers and protection. Pay attention to all of this…
March 15…
This then “sparked” the outrage of many in this country which lead to Lyndon B. Johnson call his widow and giving Congress a draft of the “Voting Rights Act” . In the same day Dr. King did Reverend Reeb eulogy in the Brown’s Chapel in Selma!
April 1965…
Three men were in indicted and were acquitted in December of the 1965. The 46-year-old case was reopened by The Anniston Star and The Clarion Ledger in 2007 as the Civil Rights Cold Case of Jackson, Mississippi…
In the movie “Selma” Jeremy Strong portrays Reverend Reeb. I have never heard of much talk about people that put a dent in history with what part they played in history even unto death!
