In 1961,
public schools were still struggling to implement the landmark Brown vs. the
board of education decision (c. 1954) that outlawed segregated schools. In some
parts of the country, Black people were still being lynched for looking at a
white person the wrong way. Lunch counters and bus terminals remained
segregated. And, throughout the Jim Crow South, Blacks risked jail, even their
lives, for trying to exercise their right to vote.
Despite
notable civil rights victories such as Brown and the Alabama bus boycotts, many
segregationist laws and attitudes remained unchanged in 1961. Black-white
interaction and multicultural coalition-building was limited. The lines
separating people by race, class and culture were clearly marked, which made
the efforts of a diverse group of Chicagoans all the more remarkable.
That
year, led by former Chicago Urban league President Edwin C. “Bill” Berry,
Kathryn Dickerson, Sherman Abrams and Hank Schwab crossed the color line to
organize the first Golden Fellowship Dinner. They saw the event as a way to
raise money to expand the organization's economic and social programs, and its
base of supporters. Each tapped their personal networks, engaging friends,
family members, lawmakers and business colleagues who believed that racial
inequality and segregation was dead wrong.
How dare
they do such a thing in 1961? The year marked the start of a tumultuous decade
that saw the assassinations of a president sympathetic to civil rights and two
of our beloved Black leaders (Malcolm X and Dr. King). But seeds of change were
also planted. On August 4, 1961, a baby boy named Barack was born who would
grow up to achieve the unthinkable in those days.
The Civil
Rights Movement is viewed by many as Black history. But more accurately, the
movement represents American history. From the student-led sit-ins to the
Freedom Riders to the March on Washington, the Civil Rights Movement (1955-1958)
was waged not only by Black activists but also by multiracial sympathizers who
fought side-by-side for racial and social justice. Some paid with their lives,
like Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman, Jewish members of CORE (the Congress
of Racial Equality). Their bodies were found buried in an earthen dam along
with Black CORE volunteer James Chaney, murdered by the Ku Klux Klan.
But they
didn't die in vain. Even in the midst of great tragedy, diversity strengthened
and empowered the Civil Rights Movement to reach a tipping point. Dramatic
changes in laws, thoughts and actions followed. The African American community
needs diverse leadership to meet deep challenges, and the Chicago Urban League
is still committed to it.
If we
truly embrace the notion that our destinies are connected, then modern-day
civil rights activists must recruit and embrace like-minded individuals whether
or not they share the same culture, experiences, or skin color. As long as they
are committed to defend and support what is right.
The
Golden Fellowship Dinner (GFD) is one of Chicago's premiere galas and among the
most diverse in terms of financial support. On November 12, the Urban League
will carry on that tradition as author, comedian and radio personality Steve
Harvey and R&B superstar Patti LaBelle headline the 50th anniversary Golden
Fellowship Dinner at the Hilton Chicago. This year, the theme is “Honoring Our
Past, Empowering Our Future” to remind us that the kind of leadership that
broke the chains of oppression in the past is the same kind of leadership we
need today to take on new challenges and move forward. I'm speaking of diverse
leadership.
In the
1970s, Berry was criticized by some Blacks as too moderate and co-opted by the
white establishment. Berry shared that one Black activist told him, “You spend
too much time with white people and not enough time with us.”
To his
credit, Berry remained undeterred, as did his successor James Compton, who
carried on Berry's tradition of multicultural coalition-building. Compton will
be the honored recipient of the prestigious Edwin C. “Bill” Berry Award at this
year's gala.
It takes
courage to stand up to the status quo - sometimes, even among your own people.
The Chicago Urban League got out in front back in 1961 to diversify its base,
and it's stayed out in front. The organization has survived 95 years not
because its leaders created silos around Black
America
to deal with problems, but because they took an integrated approach to
promoting racial unity for the future.
Andrea L.
Zopp is President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League.
