Created by
National Museum of African American History and Culture, American, founded 2003
Interview of
Rev. Dr. Lafayette, Bernard Jr., American, born 1940
Bulls Lafayette, Kate, American
Interviewed by
Navies, Kelly Elaine, American
Recorded by
Moir, Kim, American
Subject of
Poor People's Campaign, American, 1967 - 1968
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, American, 1960 - 1970s
Dr. King, Martin Luther Jr., American, 1929 - 1968
Lewis, John, American, 1940 - 2020
Edelman, Marian Wright, American, born 1939
Southern Christian Leadership Conference, American, founded 1957
Lawson, James Jr., American, born 1928
Date
July 23, 2018
Medium
digital
Dimensions
Duration: 02:10:23
37.53 GB
Description
An oral history consisting of a single digital video recording (2018.78.10.1). It was collected as part of the Poor People’s Campaign Interviews.
In this interview, Dr. Bernard Lafayette, a veteran civil rights activist and nonviolence educator, discusses how he became involved in the Civil Rights Movement; his work with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC); and his lifelong commitment to social justice activism and nonviolent direct action.
Dr. Lafayette begins the interview by reflecting on his upbringing and family life in Tampa, Florida, and the early experiences that led him toward his lifelong commitment to social activism. He then discusses his experiences in Nashville while at the American Baptist Theological Seminary and his work with SNCC. Dr. Lafayette explains how he became involved with the SCLC and discusses his role in the planning of the Poor People’s Campaign. He also recounts his final meetings with Dr. King the night before, and morning of his assassination and talks about the predicament of SCLC following King’s death. Dr. Lafayette then turns to a discussion of the Poor Peoples Campaign itself and talks about the role of music in the movement, the organization of the Campaign, and the achievements of the Campaign. Dr. Lafayette concludes with a discussion of the current Poor People’s Campaign and how he has carried on the work through his continued activism and nonviolence trainings.
The interview also contains a brief follow-up interview with Kate Bulls Lafayette about her role in the creation and operation of the Coretta Scott Daycare Center at Resurrection City.
Place collected
Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
Place depicted
Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, United States, North and Central America
Place collected
Selma, Dallas County, Alabama, United States, North and Central America
Place depicted
Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
Poor People’s Campaign Oral Histories
Classification
Media Arts-Film and Video
Movement
Civil Rights Movement
African American - Latinx Solidarity
Freedom Riders
Poor People's Campaign
Type
video recordings
oral histories
digital media - born digital
Topic
Activism
Civil rights
Humanitarianism
Justice
Labor
Politics
Poverty
Race relations
Religion
U.S. History, 1961-1969
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2018.78.10.1
Restrictions & Rights
© Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5daae8f61-3cf2-479a-9b98-386c19ce851b

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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