The Most Important Civil Rights Leader You've Never Heard Of:
That's an apt description of Dr. T.R.M. Howard, a civil rights pioneer in Mississippi and later Chicago. My friend (and University of Alabama history professor) David Beito and his wife Linda have written what promises to be a very interesting biography of Dr. Howard. Howard was a fascinating character who, among other achievements, played a very important role in trying to bring the murderers of Emitt Till to justice. I'll have more to say once I've had a chance to finish the book, but for now you can find interviews with David about the book here and here.
Even more important than recognizing those who led the movement is recognizing that the battle was won by ground troops - the ordinary people, overwhelmingly African-American, who were willing to take great risks to stand up for justice.
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