One of the living legends of America’s civil rights movement was recently in our city at the Providence Ministries International, courtesy of, among others, pastor Dr. James Coleman.
The Rev. Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker is the leader of whom I speak. I am partial to this man of God because he was my spritual leader and guide for many years when he was in the pulpit of the Canaan Baptist Church in Harlem.
He is known around the world as preacher, freedom fighter, member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and, as an assistant to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. Walker has fought against injustice for most of his life and has on several occasions, laid his life on the line. Also, he was, behind the scenes, one of the logistical organizers of the famous march on Washington in 1963. As such, he was close by, when Dr. King made his famous “I have a dream” oration.
I was overjoyed when City Councilman Ceasor Johnson read a proclamation from Mayor Joan Foster, declaring that Wyatt Tee Walker is an honorary citizen of Lynchburg. I’m sure that “Doc” is proud to be a part of a place which boasts its very own acclaimed, ongoing community dialogue on race, of which organization this writer is a proud participant. It is partly due to the example set by Dr. Walker that I dared to reach out and to be a part of the conversation with my fellow Lynchburgers from all walks of life. The great city of lynchburg is much the better for its dialogue and will, I believe, continue to be in the forefront of positive change and growth.
Done in love — for my former pastor and his family, my city, and my country.
JOYCE VIRGINIA PRICE
Lynchburg
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