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Alyssa Litonjua

Ms. Figueroa

World Literature- Block B

April 10, 2017

Civil Rights

The Fight for Freedom

By John Reynolds

The Fight for Freedom is a memoir of John Reynolds’ life as a Civil Rights activist, and
his experiences fighting for freedom. John begins his story writing about his grandmother, Susie
and her life on the plantation. His grandmother worked on a plantation owned by the Curtis
family in Pike County, Alabama. At the age of seven, John’s parents separated. This led him, his
two younger sisters, and his mother to move in with their grandmother on the plantation. In his
early years of life, John began working on the plantation for long periods of time in the heat with
only one hour breaks for lunch. While attending school, John enrolled into a school for blacks
where he was academically challenged and the teachers motivated him. In Pike County, John
explains the hardships for blacks. He learns to not make any eye contact with white women
because of the consequences he could face in jail or being beat.
In the summer of 1965, at the age of eighteen, John was introduced to the Southern
Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and attended a summer program called SCOPE--the
Summer Community Organization and Political Education project. The SCLC is and African
American civil rights organization which institutes the SCOPE program. John met Leon Gutherz,
a white man from New York who was part of the SCLC. He began the summer program as a
volunteer by canvassing in neighborhoods and churches. They spread the importance of having
the right to vote and having a voice in the black community. At the start of his civil rights
pursuit, John’s father was concerned about the treatment he would receive working within the
SCLC program. His father beat him because working with the SCLC could jeopardize his job
and his life.
As the end of summer approached, John became an official member of the SCLC. John
was assigned to the field staff in the Voter and Registration and Political Education Unit where
he received training from Dr. King and Hosea Williams. In this training, John was taught to
protect himself, and learned how react to the police and racists. He was then assigned in Selma
working for the SCLC on a voter registration campaign. John looked back on the death of
Jimmie Lee Jackson, who was killed while protesting in a march that prior year in February. The
month after, the SCLC planned to march from Selma to Montgomery where marchers were
severely beat by the police. This day is now called ‘Bloody Sunday.’ When John arrived in
Selma, he stayed with the West Family. The West family was also involved in the civil rights
movement, and had two young daughters. Dr. King used the two daughters as a symbol of his
campaign. He would take them to marches to spread awareness of voting in Selma showing what
voting could do to make a better future for generations. The SCLC organization also created a
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movement for college students to be involved in the civil rights movement called the Student
Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
In the year of 1966, John was assigned in Green County, Alabama. He was aware that in
Green County there were police brutalities and dealings with the Ku Klux Klan. He explained
that even though the Civil Rights Act had passed two years ago, blacks were still segregated and
not allowed access in public places. John and some other SCLC members who were of mixed
races agreed on eating at restaurant where they refused to serve blacks. While waiting to order,
John was stabbed in the back with a sharp object. Even though the accident was minor, the
memory of the scar left on his back reminded John about the way blacks were treated. In the city
of Eutaw, John marched around the courthouse spreading the news to register and vote. He led a
march in Green County with about 250 people. As the police came toward John and the
marchers, they commanded them to turn back around. John did not take no for answer and fought
against the police. Eventually, the police let the marchers and John through. In this experience,
John felt like a freedom fighter. The work that John and other SCLC members had accomplished
in Green County improved the voting register percentage in the black community. John’s journey
in Green County came to an end when word came around that the Ku Klux Klan was looking for
them.
In 1968, Dr. King, John, and other Civil Rights Activists worked together to form the
Poor People Campaign. In this campaign, it did not matter what race you were. You were still
welcomed to come together, and be educated about the issue of poverty that could help end
conflicts with different racial groups. That year, Dr. King was assassinated. In memory of him,
the rest of the SCLC members continued the work of the Poor People Campaign. SCLC
members also created the Resurrection City, a place for people living in ghettoes to have a
peaceful place to stay in. John oversaw the sanitation and health department. In South Carolina,
Native American children were not allowed to attend their main public school. The black
community and the Native American communities both boycotted white businesses hoping for
the school board to listen to their concerns. The SCLC then planned a freedom school for Native
American children to attend Monday through Friday. John eventually left the SCLC
organization, but continued his work in the Chaplain’s office at Brown University counseling
black students. In 1985, John and his wife Gloria got married in Brown University Providence in
Rhode Island. In 2000, John graduated with a Master of Divinity degree and began working in
the Bethany Baptist Church as a pastor.
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Review

John Reynold’s memoir The Fight for Freedom is a powerful and inspirational read. In
the memoir, it surprised me to read about the hardships the black community went through
starting from their lives on the plantation. John inspires me because it isn’t often that people are
devoted and brave enough to want a change in the world. For example, as a little boy John
always had the yearning to want to make a difference in his home town, “I knew that something
had to be done. Someone had to stand up. Someone had to fight for the rights and the dignity of
black people in my hometown. Someone had to shine a light into this darkened world. And I
asked myself, Why not me” (Reynolds 25). His memoir teaches me that I can make a change in
the world at a young age just like he did at eighteen.
It is unbelievable to read about John and Dr. King working together, and how he was a
part of many marches. Before reading this book, I didn’t really understand what Civil Rights
Activist did. In John’s memoir, I learned how Civil Rights Activists worked. I liked reading
about John’s close friendships he made throughout his life as an activist. For example, the first
person he met at SCLC, Leon Gutherz, became John’s ‘second father’ which he continued to
keep in contact with after he left SCLC organization.
A part in the book that caught my attention was when John led a march in Green County,
Alabama. The police wouldn’t let him or any of the 250 marchers march any further. John fought
back saying, “I told them that if they shot me, I would still march. If they killed me, I would
come back” (Reynolds 88). I liked reading about both John’s good and bad experiences in the
SCLC program that made him stronger. John writes, “As I reflect on my years going to jail more
than twenty times, the blood that I shed, the psychological scars that linger, I realize that those
were some of the best years of my life” (Reynolds 246).
I was fascinated on how the SCLC organizations could improve not only the lives of the
black community but also the less fortunate and the Native Americans. I recommend John’s
Reynolds memoir to anyone interested in learning about the Civil Rights Movement from an
activist point of view.
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1. What is Civil Rights?

Civil rights are rights given to citizens to be protected from any racism or discrimination acts.
The rights give citizens freedom to live equally with one another no matter the race, sexual
orientation, or belief. The American Civil Rights movement is a movement of people in the
United States who fought for an end to discrimination against African Americans. Especially in
the South, African Americans were segregated and treated differently because of their skin color.
In the Civil Rights Movement, activists wanted to spread peace between all races. Many people
protested, marched, and speeches were made by Civil Rights leaders and other Civil Rights
organizations. In 1965 and 1964, the Voting and the Civil Rights Act passed, but “Blacks were
still experiencing indignities, not only in Greensboro, but throughout Alabama. Blacks still
couldn’t eat in restaurants or stay at motels when traveling. Even though they were spending
their money shopping for food, clothes and all of the other necessities of life, blacks were still
treated badly in the stores” (Reynolds 122). This quotation from John Reynold’s memoir shows
the ongoing bad treatment African Americans faced no matter if an act was passed or not.

2. What is Civil Rights known for?

The Civil Rights is known for the movement of many Civil Rights Activist who contributed in
the fight for equality. Through many protests, marches, and boycotts, the Civil Rights Movement
sparked with Rosa Parks and Dr. King Jr., both American Civil Rights Activists. Rosa Parks was
on the Montgomery bus when she decided not to give up her seat for a white person. She was
later arrested and fined. That year, in 1955, the Montgomery Bus Boycott started. Dr. King led
the boycott, “… emerged as the boycott movement’s most effective leader, possessed unique
conciliatory and oratorical skills. He understood the larger significance of the boycott and
quickly realized that the nonviolent tactics used by the Indian nationalist Mahatma Gandhi could
be used by southern blacks” (“Civil Rights Movement” par 5). In response, “As the boycott
continued, people around the nation saw on television what was happening in Montgomery.
They saw people walking the streets of the city instead of riding on the buses, paying a heavy
price for their cause” (Reynolds 61-62). John Reynold states that “on February 17 in nearby
Marion, Jimmie Lee Jackson was shot and killed by an Alabama state trooper while participating
in a peaceful march from his church to the Perry County jail” (Reynolds 72). On March 7, the
SCLC organization led a march from Selma to Montgomery. The march also known as ‘Bloody
Sunday’ because of the violent corruption against the police and the marchers. “The marchers
were severely beaten by police with night sticks and cattle prods and were trampled by horses”
(Reynolds 72). The Civil Rights is also known for the threats and violence the protests ensured.
For example, lynching and physical beatings from the police were also a common form of
violence used against blacks.

3. What is Civil Rights history?

The Civil Rights movement started in 1954. The origin of the movement started in the 1700’s
when many African Americans were slaves in the South. In the 1800’s, amendments were passed
for African Americans to vote and to not be enslaved anymore. Even though African Americans
had the right to vote, “From 1890 to 1908, southern states passed new constitutions and laws
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to disenfranchise African Americans and many poor whites by creating barriers to voter
registration” (“African American Civil Rights Movement (1954-1968)” par 8). In the mid-
1950’s segregation was popular, “… many states began to gradually integrate their schools
following the unanimous Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education that
overturned Plessy v. Ferguson” (“African American Civil Rights Movement (1954-1968)” par
11). In the south, John Reynolds experienced segregation around his hometown. “In those days
Troy was totally segregated. One of the few white-owned businesses that blacks could enter was
the grocery store. They were not allowed in restaurants or in most department stores. Even at the
movies, whites sat downstairs, and blacks had to sit in the balcony” (Reynolds 23). As
segregation followed, many leaders stood up for their equal rights by starting Civil Rights
Organizations. In the Civil Rights movement, the Ku Klux Klan affected all African American’s,
and activists who were other races other than blacks. They used violence against them during the
movement.

4. What culture is Civil Rights associated with?

The culture associated with the Civil Rights are the KKK, also known as the Ku Klux Klan.
They are a group of white supremacists against African Americans. The KKK began in the South
of the United States, “A group including many former Confederate veterans founded the first
branch of the Ku Klux Klan as a social club in Pulaski, Tennessee, in 1866” (“Ku Klux Klan”
par 2). “Historically the KKK used terrorism, both physical assault and murder, against groups or
individuals whom they opposed” (“Ku Klux Klan” par 1). One of the main groups the KKK
targets are the Civil Rights Activists and their organizations. For example, in Fight for Freedom,
John works in area near the Clan activity. “When word got to the family we were staying with
that the Klan was going to come that night and burn their place down, they told us that we could
not stay with them any longer and that we were not safe in Carrollton” (Reynolds 91).

5. What group is Civil Rights associated with?

The Civil Rights is associated with many different Civil Rights Activist Groups and leaders
created during the Civil Rights movement. Some Civil Rights Activist Groups work with
everyone’s rights not just African Americans. For example, The American Civil Liberties
Union (ACLU) is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization whose stated mission is, "to defend and
preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the
Constitution and laws of the United States" (“American Civil Liberties Union” par 1). Martin
Luther King Jr. and Ralph Abernathy also created the SCLC organization. “Martin and Ralph
had planted the seed for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference after the Montgomery
Bus Boycott had ended” (Reynolds 62). In these organizations, activists and other citizens
practiced in sit-ins, rode busses taking freedom rides, and participated in marches.

6. What practices/traditions of the group is associated with Civil Rights?

The Civil Rights Activist Organizations and leaders practice the acts of protesting, boycotting,
and participating in marches. In Mississippi, James Meredith, an African American student,
“wanted to walk across Mississippi as a message to blacks that they had to overcome their fear.
He wanted to show that they should not be fearful and should stand up for their rights”
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(Reynolds 93). The SCLC organization’s practiced boycotting white schools because of not
letting Native American children attend the school. “The community called a boycott of the Four
Holes school. They also called a boycott of the white businesses in the area to put pressure on the
school board, hoping to have a little more leverage in the negotiations” (Reynolds 205). In Dr.
King Civil Rights Campaign, he followed the act of non- violence when fighting for his rights.
Dr. King instructed John Reynolds into becoming a Member in the Civil Rights Movement by
practicing role playing in difficult situations dealing with racist. The ACLU Civil Rights
organizations protect Human rights, the Immigrants’ Rights, LGBT Rights, and many others. For
example, “The ACLU believes that all immigration reform must create a welcoming roadmap to
citizenship for aspiring Americans living in and contributing to the United States” (“Road to
Citizenship” par 1). Many activists protested by practicing Sit-ins around the South, and “In
1960 the technique succeeded in bringing national attention to the movement” (“African
American Civil Rights Movement (1954-1968)” par 53). Civil Rights activists also practiced
freedom rides, and “During the first and subsequent Freedom Rides, activists traveled through
the Deep South to integrate seating patterns on buses and desegregate bus terminals, including
restrooms and water fountains” (“African American Civil Rights Movement (1954-1968)” par
56). Marches were also made in the South because of employment discrimination such as, “The
March on Washington, which had six official goals: meaningful civil rights laws, a massive
federal works program, full and fair employment, decent housing, the right to vote, adequate
integrated education” (“African American Civil Rights Movement (1954-1968)” par 96).

7. Is Civil Rights associated with a religion, philosophy, belief system or other devotion?

The Civil Rights movement follows a belief system that all humans have the equal amount of
rights of freedom. Civil Rights activists believe in anti-segregation in the south to make peace
with all races. Throughout the many years, “The modern African American civil rights
movement, like similar movements earlier, had transformed American democracy. It also served
as a model for other group advancement and group pride efforts involving women, students,
Chicanos, gays and lesbians, the elderly, and many others” (“Civil Rights Movement” par 15).
Many Civil Rights Activists showed how devoted they are obtaining equal rights. Some Activists
risk their lives or experienced near to death happenings which affects activist’s relationships with
their loved ones. John Reynolds father did not agree with his workings with the SCLC
organizations. In his memoir, John Reynolds describes how is father “grabbed the cord from an
old broken refrigerator and began beating [him] with that saying, “You are going to cause me to
lose everything” (Reynolds 45).

8. What impact has Civil Rights had on the world?

The Civil Rights has changed the way people judge and discriminate against others. It allows
people to freely express themselves. The Civil Rights impacts the lives of many African-
American leaders who are brave enough to stand above the racists. The Civil Rights, “…also
paved the way for two major follow-up laws: the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibited
literacy tests and other discriminatory voting practices, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which
banned discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of property” (“Civil Rights Act” par 8).
Civil Rights Activists helped make the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution
relevant by fighting for African- American’s rights. The amendment “addresses citizenship rights
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and equal protection of the laws, and was proposed in response to issues related to former slaves
following the American Civil War” (“Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution”
par 1). The Civil Rights have created less discrimination among all races and improved racial
integration, which “includes goals such as leveling barriers to association, creating equal
opportunity regardless of race, and the development of a culture that draws on diverse traditions,
rather than merely bringing a racial minority into the majority culture” (“Racial Integration” par
1).

9. How would you feel if you were involved in the Civil Rights movement? Why?

If I were ever involved in the Civil Rights movement I would want to be a part of a Civil Rights
Organization. I feel that the Civil Rights is one of the most important movements in U.S.
History. The organizations made impacted the world in many ways for the better. If I were apart
in an organization, such as the SCLC organization, I would like to protest around the South and
be the voice for African Americans. I would want to see how blacks were treated, and understand
how their life styles were like at that time. In being a part of a Civil Rights Organization, I would
feel unity and empowerment among all other Civil Rights activists in the group. In the South,
during the Civil Rights period, I would feel disgusted by the hatred going around against the
African Americans. After learning about how the KKK treated the African Americans and Civil
Rights activists, one situation that would hold me back from being a part of an organization is
my fear of the KKK. However, I would still want to participate in freedom rides, Sit-ins, or any
boycotts made. Lastly, I would want to talk to Dr. King about his experiences with the SCLC
organization, and somehow coordinate a partnership in a protest that he had instructed. I would
ask him what encouraged him to follow his dreams, and not give up no matter what obstacles
were thrown upon him.
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Works Cited

“African American Civil Rights Movement (1954-1968).” Wikipedia. Web.

April 1, 2017. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African-American_Civil_Rights_Movement_.

“American Civil Liberties Union.” Wikipedia. Web.

April 1, 2017. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_Liberties_Union.

“Civil Rights Act.” History.com. 2010. Web.

April 7, 2017. http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-act.

“Civil Rights Movement.” History.com. 2009. Web.

April 2, 2017. http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-movement.

“Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.” Wikipedia. Web.

April 7, 2017.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourteenth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution.

“Ku Klux Klan.” Wikipedia. Web.

April 7, 2017. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ku_Klux_Klan.

“Ku Klux Klan.” History.com. 2009. Web.

April 6, 2017. http://www.history.com/topics/ku-klux-klan.

“Racial Integration.” Wikipedia. Web.

April 6, 2017. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racial_integration.

Reynolds, John. The Fight For Freedom. Author House, 2012. Print.

“Road to Citizenship.” ACLU.com. Web.

April 1, 2017. https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights/road-citizenship.

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