{"id":4114,"date":"2013-02-23T10:19:50","date_gmt":"2013-02-23T15:19:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/?p=4114"},"modified":"2013-02-24T10:34:30","modified_gmt":"2013-02-24T15:34:30","slug":"civil-rights-icon-captivates-crowd-at-cash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/?p=4114","title":{"rendered":"Civil-rights icon captivates crowd at CASH"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian regales packed auditorium with stories, insight<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

By Kathleen Brady Shea<\/span><\/strong>, Managing Editor, The Times<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"Rev.<\/a>

Rev. C.T. Vivian (left) chats with Dr. Tonya Thames Taylor after the program at CASH.<\/p><\/div>\n

The 1,250-seat auditorium of Coatesville Area Senior High was filled to near-capacity when word came that Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian, the celebrated civil rights icon scheduled to speak at 6 p.m., would be late.<\/p>\n

An air of expectant excitement had pervaded the room, and people seemed to take the news in stride that inclement weather at the Atlanta airport had delayed the acclaimed 88-year-old Freedom Rider.\u00a0 Coatesville Schools Superintendent Richard Como suggested that the wait might be fitting since freedom was also a long time coming.<\/p>\n

Less than an hour later, Rev. Vivian received a standing ovation when he entered the room. \u201cThat\u2019s so kind of you \u2013 especially since you had to wait so long,\u201d he said in response. Then he explained that even though he traveled by car from Philadelphia, he virtually flew, courtesy of his eager driver. \u201cI turned on the light so I could see myself die,\u201d he joked.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Tonya<\/a>

Tonya Thames Taylor discusses the program with Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell.<\/p><\/div>\n

More than two hours later, the delay was a distant memory, replaced by an infusion of energy and inspiration. Members of the audience said the program – sponsored by the school district, the Coatesville NAACP, the Coatesville Historical Commission, and the Lilies and Pearls Cotillion \u2013 gave them a special \u2013 and historic – experience.<\/p>\n

Not only did Rev. Vivian have a lot to say, but Coatesville-area representatives also did, ensuring that he felt welcome and appreciated. Dr. Tonya Thames Taylor, president of Coatesville Area NAACP and a CASD school board director, pointed out that Rev. Vivian repeatedly risked his life to secure freedoms that exist today.<\/p>\n

His extensive civil-rights history included participation in the first Freedom Rides in 1961 when activists travelled by bus from Washington, D.C., to southern states to challenge segregation. He worked side-by-side with Dr. Martin Luther King and has continued to promote freedom for all. \u201cThe only way you can be fully human is to be fully free,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"Rev.<\/a>

As George Sheppard (left) looks on, Rev. C.T. Vivian speaks with the crowd after the end of the program.<\/p><\/div>\n

Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell extended personal thanks to Rev. Vivian for making such inroads – efforts that helped pave the way for Farrell to become the county\u2019s first black county commissioner. And Coatesville City Council President David C. Collins tied Rev. Vivian’s rich past to that of Coatesville, which \u00a0he described as standing “on the precipice of change.” \u00a0He even invited Dr. Vivian to join the revitalization effort and \u201cbuy some property.\u201d<\/p>\n

State Sen. Andy Dinniman, who presented Rev. Vivian with a proclamation from the Pennsylvania Senate, lamented the fact that while Rev. Vivian\u2019s freedom-fighting was being honored, other battles continue. He said a new abolitionist movement has started to end the human trafficking that is enslaving more than 100,000 a year, mainly young girls who are forced into prostitution. He said Senate Bill 75, which he co-sponsored, would improve the enforceability of Pennsylvania\u2019s human trafficking laws.<\/p>\n

Rev. Dan Williams, pastor of New Life in Christ Fellowship Church, began the question-and-answer session, a well-received effort that prompted Rev. Vivian to expound on recurring themes of love, nonviolence, and education.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be able to love, though hated, is a very difficult thing, but it\u2019s a saving thing and something you pass on, generation by generation,\u201d Rev. Vivian said. \u201cIt takes radical love to defeat radical evil \u2026 If we really all loved one another, nobody would be hungry. If we really all loved one another, everybody would have an education.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Rev.<\/a>

Rev. C.T. Vivian (from left) poses with Dr. Tonya Thames Taylor, head of the Coatesville NAACP, and Corelle Anderson, a student at West Chester University.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no greater love than what black women have given to us,\u201d he said, crediting his late wife \u2013 \u201cthe best thing that ever happened to me\u201d – for his achievements. He also praised the mothers and grandmothers who understand \u201cif they don\u2019t love you, you\u2019re not going to make it \u2026\u00a0 \u201cSomewhere you\u2019ve got to be taught what decency is. If you\u2019re not taught it, it\u2019s hard to stand up for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked about the current status of the civil-rights movement, Rev. Vivian said, \u201cWe\u2019re not as good as we like to think we are as a nation.\u201d He questioned why ministers weren\u2019t doing more to stop people from harboring violence. \u201cThere\u2019s nobody in this country more spiritual than black people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

After the warm-up from Rev. Williams, Rev. Vivian was just getting started, a revelation that delighted the dozen questioners from the audience. \u201cI can talk all day; I love this stuff,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

One man wanted to know how Rev. Vivian prepared himself for confrontations that could have killed him. \u201cYou don\u2019t really think it\u2019s going to be your last walk,\u201d Rev. Vivian responded. \u201cYou come to the point where it doesn\u2019t matter \u2026Every one of us is born to help each other be free.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another man wanted to know how Rev. Vivian felt about gay rights. \u201cEvery human being needs to be treated like a person,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019re human; they belong here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Dr.<\/a>

Dr. C.T. Vivian (from top left, clockwise) appears with some of the younger members of the audience: Breon Lopp, 10, Amina Lawson, 9, Taylar Pulliam, 7, and Maia Lawson, 7.<\/p><\/div>\n

Asked about Bayard Rustin, a civil rights activist and namesake of a West Chester high school, Rev. Vivian described him as \u201cone of the brightest guys we had,\u201d someone who had started freedom-fighting 20 years before anyone else and \u201csuffered more\u201d since he was not only black, but also openly gay.<\/p>\n

A poised 11-year-old girl said she was learning about slavery and the Underground Railroad in school and was confused about how it all got started. Rev. Vivian complimented her on the question, suggesting that neither he nor the many ministers in the room had a definitive answer. But he added: \u201cDon\u2019t stop asking those questions.\u201d<\/p>\n

After the Q&A session ended, many in the crowd headed for the stage rather than the exit. There, for about 45 minutes, Rev. Vivian graciously adopted the role of rock star, signing autographs and posing for photos.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is good stuff,\u201d proclaimed Crystal Lowery, watching as Rev. Vivian laughed and joked with his admiring audience. \u201cThis is just so great.\u201d<\/p>\n

Terry Lavender brought five children ranging in age from 4 to 18 to the program, and even though the youngest two boys fell asleep in his lap toward the end, Lavender said it was well worth it. \u201cI\u2019m so glad I came \u2013 and so glad I brought all of them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The audience kept Rev. C.T. Vivian busy for nearly an after the program ended.<\/p><\/div>\n

Ayanna Holmes, a 16-year-old CASH student, was accompanied by her mother, Jackie Green Holmes. She said she had learned about some of Rev. Vivian\u2019s activities in social studies and was excited \u201cto hear about all the things he did and how he felt about them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Labeling the program \u201cphenomenal,\u201d Barbara Taliaferro, a teacher in the district, said she was particularly impressed with Rev. Vivian\u2019s emphasis on education. \u201cI\u2019m very pleased that I came,\u201d she said, admitting that some earlier snowflakes had almost deterred her.<\/p>\n

Camille Holley-Sheppard, who teaches 10th<\/sup>-grade English at Coatesville\u2019s 9-10 Center, said she found Rev. Vivian\u2019s words educational as well as inspiring. \u201cI think every person here left with a feeling of making this a better place,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Rev. Vivian was equally enthusiastic about the evening. \u201cThis was one of the most wonderful crowds,\u201d he said, adding that he also enjoyed the program\u2019s format. \u201cI always want to hear what people want to know,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Thames-Taylor, one of the organizers, said even on her best day with her best prayers, she could not have envisioned such a successful event, one that kicks off the 75th anniversary of the Coatesville NAACP. \u201cThis absolutely exceeded all of my expectations,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m thrilled with the way it turned out.\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian regales packed auditorium with stories, insight By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times The 1,250-seat auditorium of Coatesville Area Senior High was filled to near-capacity when word came that Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian, the celebrated civil rights icon scheduled to speak at 6 p.m., would be late. An air of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":4124,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,3],"tags":[1596,1328,359,1597,1594,1593,1595,1375,1547,1599,1598],"class_list":["post-4114","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-featured","tag-chester-county-commissioner-terence-farrell","tag-coatesville-area-naacp","tag-coatesville-area-senior-high","tag-coatesville-city-council-president-david-c-collins","tag-coatesville-historical-commission","tag-coatesville-schools-superintendent-richard-como","tag-dr-martin-luther-king","tag-dr-tonya-thames-taylor","tag-lilies-and-pearls-cotillion","tag-new-life-in-christ-fellowship-church","tag-rev-dan-williams"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4114","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4114"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4114\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4124"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4114"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4114"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4114"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}