Bernard LaFayette, the man who laid the groundwork for the voter registration campaign in Selma, Alabama, leading to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, has passed away at the age of 85. His son, Bernard LaFayette III, confirmed his death from a heart attack on Thursday morning.
In 1960, LaFayette was part of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which played a significant role in organizing desegregation and voting rights campaigns in the South. Despite initial reservations about Selma, LaFayette took on the role of director of the Alabama Voter Registration Campaign in 1963, working alongside his former wife, Colia Liddell, to empower local leaders and create momentum for change.
Throughout his work in Selma, LaFayette faced numerous dangers, including an assassination attempt and physical violence. Despite these challenges, he remained committed to nonviolent resistance, believing in the power of winning people over through love and compassion.
In addition to his work in Selma, LaFayette was involved in other civil rights activities, including participating in the Freedom Rides of 1961. His commitment to justice and equality was inspired by his grandmother, who instilled in him a sense of duty to fight against racial injustice.
LaFayette’s legacy lives on through his courageous actions and unwavering dedication to the fight for civil rights. He may have passed away, but his impact on history will never be forgotten. LaFayette worked diligently to train Black youth in Chicago, guiding them to become leaders in the Chicago Freedom Movement and playing a crucial role in organizing tenant unions. Mary Lou Finley, a former colleague of LaFayette’s from Antioch University Seattle, emphasized the significant impact of his work in Chicago, stating that many of the tenant protections in place today are a direct result of his efforts.
Notably, LaFayette took proactive measures to address lead poisoning in children, rallying high school students to screen toddlers for lead poisoning by collecting urine samples. This initiative ultimately led to the development of the nation’s first mass screening program for lead poisoning. Despite his impactful work, LaFayette preferred to operate quietly behind the scenes, believing that he could achieve more without seeking the spotlight.
Collaborating with Andrew Young and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, LaFayette also contributed to preparations for Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Northern campaign. Although the Chicago movement faced challenges and encountered hostility from white mobs, LaFayette and Young emphasized the progress made in various areas such as neighborhood integration, school quality, and job opportunities.
By 1968, LaFayette had assumed the role of national coordinator for King’s Poor People’s Campaign. Tragically, he was present at the Lorraine Motel when King was assassinated, and King’s final words to him emphasized the importance of institutionalizing and internationalizing the nonviolence movement, a mission that LaFayette dedicated his life to.
Following King’s death, LaFayette pursued further education, obtaining a bachelor’s degree from American Baptist College and earning a master’s and doctorate from Harvard University. Throughout his career, he held various significant positions, including director of Peace and Justice in Latin America and minister of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Tuskegee, Alabama.
LaFayette’s impact extended beyond the United States, as he engaged in nonviolence workshops in South Africa and worked with violent groups in Latin America. DeMark Liggins, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, highlighted LaFayette’s global influence, noting that his legacy lives on through the countless individuals he assisted both domestically and internationally.
In his memoir, LaFayette reflected on the constant threat of death he faced during his early organizing efforts, underscoring the belief that the value of life lies not in longevity but in the meaningful actions taken to enrich it. following sentence:
The cat quickly ran across the yard.
The cat dashed through the yard with speed. following sentence:
The cat is sleeping on the couch.
The cat rests peacefully on the couch. following sentence:
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
The swift brown fox leaps over the lethargic dog.
