Freedom Rider Rep. John Lewis gives commencement address at UMW

MoonHowler

The Richmond Times Dispatch:

 

FREDERICKSBURG —

U.S. Rep. John Lewis invoked the spirit of the Freedom Riders in an address Saturday to the class of 2011 at the University of Mary Washington.

Speaking to about 5,000 people, including nearly 1,300 graduates, the Georgia Democrat urged students Saturday to create a better world.

The 1961 Freedom Rider praised the university for its tribute to the civil-rights leaders who endured violence in their quest to end segregation.

I am an alumnus of Mary Washington College.  I came along a little later than 1961 and things were not that ‘advanced’ when I was there.  As I recall, we had 2 African American students.  Those young women were well received but I don’t recall a huge civil rights movement at all.  We were aware and we were politically correct.  I suppose that was a big step in those days.  I was surprised when I opened the college quarterly. 

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The National Parks: America’s Best Idea –A Film by Ken Burns

MoonHowler

The National Parks: America’s Best Idea begins tonight. Ken Burns, film maker for 30 years has created the series. So I dedicate this weekend to film makers.

I am a huge proponent of the National Parks and I have waited for today with great anticipation. The series starts tonight at 8 pm on PBS.

National Parks preserve that which is best of our country for our posterity. They are a great source of national pride. They require protection and preservation. They can cause controversy. They protect us from ourselves and from our greed.

Ken Burns exposes the difficulties the national park system has had since its inception and gives us beautiful film footage of the wonders of our nation, along with a good dose of history. The previews are on now and will be repeated throughout the day. Each episode can be viewed online and will be repeated for about 2 weeks on PBS. You can create a scrapebook of pictures as well as other things. You will be able to buy the dvd and book at some point.

http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/

This series will probably renew a huge interest in our national park system. Plan to go soon, early and often, before the throngs get there. My wish is that we, the Anti crowd, will be able to put aside some of our rancor and discuss this series.