Couple Fought 'Triple Threat' in City, US Civil Rights' Ties to Power Illuminated
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FORsooth Volume 19, No. 4 A publication of the Louisville Chapter of the Fellowship of Reconciliation www.louisville-for.org May 2008 Couple fought ‘triple threat’ in city, US Civil rights’ Following are remarks by Gracie Lewis at the unveiling of a Kentucky Historical ties to power Marker at the former home of Carl and Anne Braden, 4403 Virginia Ave., to honor the couple’s lifelong fight against racism: illuminated Today as we witnessed the unveiling by Ike M. Thacker IV of the “Kentucky Historical Marker” at the and Eustace Durrett former home of Carl and Anne Braden, we The Black Power movement is looked remembered a great couple who were much on more favorably because it is better more than just pioneers in the Civil Rights understood to be rooted in the more Movement. Only 40 years ago there were traditional wing of the civil rights certain areas in our city where no Black movement, Brandeis University professor families could live. Peniel Joseph said in Louisville April 4. Anne and Carl Braden risked their Joseph, one of the rising stars in Pan- lives and livelihood when they helped an African studies, has won several awards African American couple, Andrew and from his books about the civil rights and Charlotte Wade, buy a home in a white Black Power movements. Speaking at the neighborhood in Shively. The Wades’ home University of Louisville, he said that while was bombed by white supremacists. Anne the Black Power movement has usually and Carl Braden were arrested and charged been looked on historiographically as sort with sedition for attempting to overthrow of the “evil doppelganger” of the civil the government of Kentucky. Carl Braden — photo by Eddie Davis rights movement, this is due to misunder- went to prison for a year. standings about its roots. I met Anne Braden in 1989 when I Louisville justice and peace activist Anne Braden, who died in 2006, Joseph said Black Power is commonly moved back home after having lived in Wash- confers with activist and actress Yolanda King, daughter of Martin thought of as coming along after civil rights ington, D.C. for 20 years. Anne became a Luther King Jr., in a 2004 photo. The elder King’s ties to Braden and her and destroying much of the good civil central figure in my life. She was a warrior husband Carl, who died in 1975, were recalled last month in an unveiling rights had done between May 17, 1954 and that helped knock down the barriers of a of an historical marker at the Bradens’ home in West Louisville. Aug. 18, 1965 (from the Brown decision to segregated South. She fought against the the Watts riots). Black Power’s 1966-1975 triple threat still prevalent today — racism, “reign” was, according to this view, war and poverty. Anne and Carl Braden to have “walked with Anne Braden” for I magnitude of white supremacy when they decidedly unfruitful. understood what had to be done, and they learned much about the importance of took a stand for the Wades. However, Joseph said this treatment spent their entire lifetime, not marching, but breaking down barriers. White supremacy They fought against a community that of the civil rights and Black Power organizing against unjust laws. is at the very heart of American democracy. constantly refused to negotiate. Everywhere It was indeed an honor and a privilege Anne and Carl Braden witnessed the full (continued on page 2) (continued on page 5) Bahá’ís’ suffering in Iran PAID calls for wider coverage U.S. Postage Louisville, KY Permit No. 962 Non-Profit Org. by Nancy D. Harris elimination of all Bahá’ís. This goal is to be reached by denying Bahá’ís basic human From time to time, individual rights. But the Bahá’ís keep persevering. Americans travel to Iran in an effort to University professors were fired from promote peace between the Iranian people their jobs and students expelled because of and the American people. In the past year, their faith. So the learned members of the there have been articles in FORsooth noting Bahá’í community began teaching the the experiences of these individuals. students. This eventually evolved into an The writers have commented on the underground university with a current friendliness of the people and the freedoms enrollment of 3,500 Bahá’í students. they have. They note that, while the However, it continues to be a target of hate. monotheistic minority religions in Iran do Students in elementary and secondary not enjoy the state support that Islam schools have recently become targets as well. receives, those religions are still respected. Teachers require Bahá’í students to read from There usually is little or no mention of textbooks that slander the Faith and then test the Bahá’ís, who constitute the largest re- them on the material. If a student politely tries Call F.O.R. at 502/458-8056 Call F.O.R. Coming in waves of various degrees of severity, the actions of the Iranian government are based on documents, until recently secret, which call for the elimination of all Bahá’ís. Fellowship of Reconciliation Louisville Chapter 2236 Kaelin Avenue Louisville, KY 40205-2608 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED to correct the misinformation, he is expelled. ligious minority. In fact, American visitors The other children are taught to harass the are warned not to contact the Bahá’ís. Bahá’í children. The Bahá’í Faith began in Persia (now Because of the high value placed on INSIDE Iran) in the mid-1800s. It is a monotheistic education, these students are among the religion that recognizes the common founda- brightest of Iran’s young population. The tion of all religions (including Islam) under government knows that denying education Refugee helpers could use volunteers .......................................... p. 2 the same God and the oneness of all human- is a way to keep individuals from growing ity. Bahá’ís have never acted or spoken against to a position of influence in society, but it Islam or the Iranian government. Bahá’ís are is also a waste of those who can potentially How would area students preserve peace?.................................. p. 3 admonished to obey civil law. enrich society. Yet the oppression of members of the Americans are naïve if they think they Bahá’í Faith continues in Iran. Shortly can go to Iran and meet people who will be Labor versus labor – a look at a schism ...................................... p. 4 after the Islamic Revolution of 1979, the totally open with them. The Americans are persecutions that were present during the given guides and the guides are given in- Shah’s reign were stepped up. structions. The Americans see what the Ira- Coming in waves of various degrees Partial victory for Mumia Abu-Jamal......................................... p. 7 nian government wants them to see and wants of severity, the actions of the Iranian them to share with their fellow Americans. government are based on documents, until recently secret, which call for the (continued on page 6) Aiding refugees a task that could itself use some aid by George Morrison Young said misconceptions about government requires only that an applicant can be shown to have provided “material FORsooth editor refugees being undocumented immigrants show a legitimate fear of persecution in support” to a terrorist. are common. their country. The provision is so broad that in some The 30-member staff of Kentucky “The reality is that refugees come to our “We are very proud of that because if cases involuntary acts conscientiously Refugee Ministries does a fine job, but the country at the invitation our state department you’re a refugee, you’re a refugee,” she said. admitted to in interviews can result in resettlement agency could use more and our president and when they arrive in the Young said that to be considered for rejection, she said. volunteers to grapple with its increasing United States, when they set foot on Ameri- refugee status, a person must have left their “ ‘Material support’ can be providing caseload, executive director Carol Young can soil, they are here legally.” nation; if they haven’t crossed a border, a bowl of rice to a soldier who is holding a told the Third Thursday Lunch April 17. Young told the lunch the process of they are instead classified a “displaced gun to your head,” Young said. “We have a limited staff and as being resettled into the U.S. as a refugee takes person,” she explained. Young said that while refugee popula- wonderful as they are, they don’t want to six months to two years after a person applies Young said refugees are renewing tions are small in Kentucky – she said work 24 hours a day,” Young said. “We’re with the United Nations refugee agency. traditional values in Kentucky and the KRM has placed about 4,000 refugees in begging and pleading for more volunteer the state and Catholic Charities and Jewish assistance because it’s just too much for Family & Vocational Services have placed any staff to take on.” “Louisville has a reputation from our affiliates around thousands more – the area’s reputation for KRM, which works with churches and hospitality makes it ideal for resettlement. religious organizations to help refugees “Louisville has a reputation from our become self sufficient and employed within the country of being a very welcoming community… that affiliates around the country of being a a federally-mandated 120-day period after welcomes the stranger.”— Carol Young very welcoming community… that their arrival, helps about 400 to 450 refugees welcomes the stranger.” a year, up from about 100 a year when the organization was formed in 1990, she said.