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struggle4progress

(118,041 posts)
Sat Jul 25, 2015, 05:56 PM Jul 2015

Young Ballclub Barnstorms The Deep South



By: Jessica Ravitz; Brad Pechanec
Posted: Sat 4:39 PM, Jul 25, 2015

... For half a year, Coach Steve Bandura gathered the group at their South Philly rec center for weekly movie nights. They watched historical dramas like "Roots," "Glory" and "The Tuskegee Airmen." They tackled documentaries including "Freedom Riders," "4 Little Girls" and "Eyes on the Prize."

"If you don't understand slavery, you can't understand the civil rights movement. And if you don't understand the civil rights movement, you can't understand Ferguson or Baltimore," says Coach Steve, who's white.

What he and his ballplayers couldn't have imagined is how relevant their trip would become. Just hours after their bus rolled out of Philadelphia on June 17, a white gunman strolled into a Bible study at a historic Charleston, South Carolina, black church and killed nine worshippers, including the pastor. All evidence indicates that the shooter was motivated by racism, which is why he is now facing federal hate crime charges.

"It's not ancient history. Just because laws have changed doesn't mean people's attitudes have changed," says Bandura, 54. "Charleston drove that home. The first thing the kids said was, 'It's Birmingham all over again'" ...


http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/Scoring-Runs-And-Catching-History-Young-Ballclub-Barnstorms-The-Deep-South-318540421.html
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Young Ballclub Barnstorms The Deep South (Original Post) struggle4progress Jul 2015 OP
The entire article is well worth reading NBachers Jul 2015 #1
I just love the photo of Mo'ne Davis with "Peanut" Johnson struggle4progress Jul 2015 #3
A lot more people need to know a lot more history. SusanCalvin Jul 2015 #2
This beautiful story is still sitting at three recs? SusanCalvin Jul 2015 #4
I had to read it first. Downwinder Jul 2015 #6
Thanks from overly emotional me. :-) nt SusanCalvin Jul 2015 #8
I have to agree with you, now ONLY 7 recs. Downwinder Jul 2015 #9
What a timely article. Thanks for posting it here. I'm embarrassed to say that I did not know.... Tarheel_Dem Jul 2015 #5
"This is why I love DU (SOMETIMES)." SusanCalvin Jul 2015 #14
Kindle fighting me on copy-and-paste again. SusanCalvin Jul 2015 #7
Xpost in GD, please? SusanCalvin Jul 2015 #10
Done! Glad you enjoyed it! struggle4progress Jul 2015 #11
Enjoyed? Appreciated! SusanCalvin Jul 2015 #12
Edit re my OPs timing... SusanCalvin Jul 2015 #13
k&r rbrnmw Jul 2015 #15
"If you don't understand slavery, you can't understand the civil rights movement." Skittles Jul 2015 #16
Journal Kick Rec Screenplay? JustAnotherGen Jul 2015 #17

SusanCalvin

(6,592 posts)
2. A lot more people need to know a lot more history.
Sat Jul 25, 2015, 06:43 PM
Jul 2015

What a great coach.

And what a great pic - I'm hugging the Kindle, since it's the best I can do.

OMG, OMG! The Kindle is fighting me on copy-and-paste, but! There was a female player in the Negro Leagues, and that's her on the right! I did not know. Call me overly emotional, but I am blubbering right now.

Tarheel_Dem

(31,211 posts)
5. What a timely article. Thanks for posting it here. I'm embarrassed to say that I did not know....
Sat Jul 25, 2015, 09:56 PM
Jul 2015

the story of Mamie "Peanut" Johnson. A female pitcher in the Negro Leagues? This is why I love DU (SOMETIMES).



Oh, there's my boy John Lewis," says one of the kids, pointing out the image on the small museum screen of a man being clubbed.

Each hit Lewis takes feels personal to them. Just a week earlier, they'd met the civil rights leader-turned-congressman in his Washington, D.C. office.

"I would fight back," says a second teen.

"But then they'd kill you and your family," the first one answers, eyes wide with concern.


What a wonderful history lesson for these aspiring teens.

SusanCalvin

(6,592 posts)
7. Kindle fighting me on copy-and-paste again.
Sat Jul 25, 2015, 10:08 PM
Jul 2015

If you don't understand history (the unexpurgated version), you don't understand this country.

SusanCalvin

(6,592 posts)
10. Xpost in GD, please?
Sat Jul 25, 2015, 10:21 PM
Jul 2015

This story made my day.

Maybe at a more visible time - my few OPs kinda sank due at least in part to bad timing.

Anyway, thank you so much!

SusanCalvin

(6,592 posts)
13. Edit re my OPs timing...
Sat Jul 25, 2015, 10:49 PM
Jul 2015

I think I got it in too late. I was advised weekday AM was best. Will kick GD in AM. This story made me so happy. Thank you so much.

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