Here is a quick story that will make you see red!
VISTA was essentially the domestic Peace Corps, like Americorps now, its successor. VISTA projects are invited into communities by sponsors, typically local nonprofits. Our sponsor was almost a subsidiary of the Black Panthers - right down to the black berets: The Social Action Committee of 20, "SAC20". Sadly, after my term, the charismatic effective leader was shot and killed by another member...
Anyway - main focus was to support neighborhood block clubs in the inner city area where we were based and lived, that organized to lobby for public services like curbs and sidewalks. YES - I was a community organizer! I was often the only white face in the grocery store or street. I never felt unwelcome.
Well, one amazingly dignified and elegant gentleman shared his blasphemous personal story with me: he owned an apartment building in the white part of the city, which he purchased as investment property. When he would go to check on his building, he was required to show a pass to authorities in order to go to that part of town!!
GALLING!
Oh man - here is the SAC20 leader who was murdered. You can find anything online!
https://aaregistry.org/story/bernard-powell-a-frontline-activist/
Honestly I had no idea what a great man he was, his history.
RIP dear hero... 😢
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