![]() Today Piedmont hosted two distinguished guests: African-American heros of the civil rights movement Mr. Harvey Gantt and Rev. Dr. Jesse Douglas. The men were invited to speak by Mr. Reddig, Ms. Benfield and Ms. Hon of the social studies department as part of the 8th grade Civil Rights lesson. The history displays (you see them in the background and for more detail please click here ) Piedmont students made came to life as the men recounted the difficulties and triumphs of their nonviolent fight for equal rights. Mr. Gantt recounted how became the first African American to integrate Clemson University and Rev. Dr. Douglass spoke of integrating the Georgia state capitol. Students learned of bravery, nonviolence and finding faith in themselves and their futures. "I look at you and I see the doctors, lawyers, scientists,and athletes you will become" Harvey Gantt, architect of Piedmont, Clemson's first African-American student and Charlotte's first African American Mayor said to the 8th grade. "I just wasn't afraid of anything" Dr. Douglas answered when students asked him how he found the bravery to lead. "We didn't have any weapons to fight anybody, but love conquers more than hate" Rev. Douglas told the audience as he described his work with SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) where he was often sent to pose as white to expose the hypocrisy of racial segregation. He urged students to create the America guaranteed to them in our founding documents: one truly free for all. Here are just a few highlights of the event: Below, Principal Barone shakes hands with the Rev. Dr. Douglas and shares stories of the Gantt family's Piedmont history with Mr. Gantt. Related Posts
http://piedmontpd.weebly.com/celebrating-piedmont/civil-rights-gymnasium http://piedmontpd.weebly.com/celebrating-piedmont/students-build-a-civil-rights-museum http://piedmontpd.weebly.com/celebrating-piedmont/7th-grade-brings-history-to-life http://piedmontpd.weebly.com/celebrating-piedmont/holocaust-survivor-visits-piedmont-to-speak
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Author"Celebrating Piedmont" logs only a small fraction of the learning magic the teachers of CMS' Piedmont Middle School, an IB World School. create daily. In that sense, it is authored by all the staff and students of Piedmont. It is curated by Ms. Gurthie who can be reached at the icons above. She'll be happy to brag about Piedmont's teachers and students any chance she gets! Please note this blog has only just begun and we have so much to show off! Come back again soon! |