#NNPA BlackPress

IN MEMORIAM: Rev. James Lawson, Jr.: A Legendary Civil Rights Leader Who Trained John Lewis in Non-Violence, Dies at 95

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “The world won’t get no better if we just let it be.” Rev. James Lawson Jr. embodied these lyrics. He was a courageous nonviolent strategist who taught many to meet injustice with what my father called “soul force.” My condolences to his family. May his legacy live on,” wrote Bernice King, the daughter of the legendary civil rights leader.
The post IN MEMORIAM: Rev. James Lawson, Jr.: A Legendary Civil Rights Leader Who Trained John Lewis in Non-Violence, Dies at 95 first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

5 months ago

June 11, 2024

Oakland Post

By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor

One of the last living legends of the American Civil Rights Movement that fought against violence and injustice on behalf of Black Americans, Rev. James Lawson, Jr., has died in Los Angeles. The reported cause was cardiac arrest.

Lawson was a legendary associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and a teacher, strategist and associate alongside all the major figures of the American Civil Rights Movement from King to Ralph Abernathy and James L. Farmer Jr. to John Lewis, Roy Wilkins and Bayard Rustin. Lawson would become an indispensable architect in the fight for justice for Black citizens in America.

Lawson’s path as a civil rights activist was notably shaped during his time as a missionary in India from 1953 to 1956. While in India, Lawson studied Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of nonviolence, which deeply resonated with his Christian beliefs. After returning to the U.S. Lawson enrolled at the Oberlin School of Theology in Ohio and met Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1957.

The rising community activist recognized Lawson’s potential and convinced him to move to the South to train activists in nonviolent activism. Before Oberlin, Lawson attended Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, where he became active in the Fellowship of Reconciliation, an organization dedicated to nonviolent action.

“The world won’t get no better if we just let it be.” Rev. James Lawson Jr. embodied these lyrics. He was a courageous nonviolent strategist who taught many to meet injustice with what my father called “soul force.” My condolences to his family. May his legacy live on,” wrote Bernice King, the daughter of the legendary civil rights leader.

“The King Center mourns Rev. James Lawson Jr., a leading nonviolent strategist whose insight was deeply valued by Dr. King. Rev. Lawson, who died at 95, profoundly impacted the Civil Rights Movement, training leaders like John Lewis and Diane Nash. Condolences to his family,” reads a note from the King Center read after news of Rev. Lawson’s death.

Lawson moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and enrolled at Vanderbilt University’s Divinity School. In Nashville, Lawson played a key role in organizing and leading workshops on nonviolent tactics. His efforts culminated in the Nashville sit-ins of 1960 and Lawson successfully desegregated lunch counters in the city. The sit-in strategy became a crucial part of the broader Civil Rights Movement in the years to come as the non-violent protest won the attention of the nation and the world as it shined a light on the absurdity of segregation laws in the South.

Lawson became a key figure in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and continued to work closely with Dr. King, participating in several major campaigns during the Civil Rights Movement. They included the Freedom Rides and the March on Washington in 1963. Lawson’s commitment to nonviolence remained steadfast even in the frequent and brutal face of violence and arrest by law enforcement in the South that shared close ties with the Ku Klux Klan.

“The Southern Poverty Law Center joins the world in mourning the loss of the Rev. James Lawson Jr., a civil rights activist who led sit-ins, marches and Freedom Rides.

Today we remember the Rev. James Lawson Jr. as we continue pushing for equality and justice. Rest in power. #TheMarchContinues,” a message on social media from the Southern Poverty Law Center read in tribute to Lawson.

“The world has lost a powerful life force and mentor to so many of us. Expelled, arrested, and repeatedly brutalized, Rev. James Lawson never stopped waging revolutionary nonviolence against racism, sexism, militarism, and plantation capitalism. Rise in power, ancestor,” wrote Tennessee legislator Rep. Justin Jones in honor of Lawson.

“We just lost a moral giant and spiritual genius- Rev. James Lawson, one of the greatest freedom fighters of our time! His courage and compassion was incredible! His prophetic witness shall forever burn in my heart!” wrote Princeton Professor Cornel West.

Reverend Lawson was born on September 22, 1928, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Massillon, Ohio, where his father was a coal miner and Methodist minister who instilled in him a strong sense of faith and justice.

After King was killed in 1968, Lawson continued his work as social justice advocate. He served as pastor of the Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles from 1974 to 1999, where he focused on issues such as worker and immigrant rights. Lawson continued to be an influential voice, advocating for nonviolent resistance and human rights.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent investigative journalist and the publisher of Black Virginia News. She is a political analyst who appears regularly on #RolandMartinUnfiltered and speaks on Crisis Comms on YouTube @LaurenVictoriaBurke. She can be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke

The post IN MEMORIAM: Rev. James Lawson, Jr.: A Legendary Civil Rights Leader Who Trained John Lewis in Non-Violence, Dies at 95 first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

California State Budget: Legislature Announces Counter Proposal to Gov’s 2024-25 Plan

Don't Miss

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Speaks on Cancer Diagnosis Amid Run for Re-Election

Oakland Post

Click to comment

#NNPA BlackPress

OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org