Voting Rights Activist and Civil Rights Leader Bernard LaFayette has passed away at the age of 80. The iconic leader, who dedicated his life to the fight for equality and justice, died on July 20th, 2021.
LaFayette was a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, working alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders to combat segregation and racial discrimination. Throughout his life, he continued to be a vocal advocate for voting rights, education, and nonviolent social change.
Born in Tampa, Florida in 1940, LaFayette was deeply inspired by his parents, who were both educators. They instilled in him the importance of education and fighting for justice. As a young man, he was drawn to the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and his philosophy of nonviolent protest. This would become the cornerstone of LaFayette’s activism.
LaFayette became involved in the Civil Rights Movement while studying at American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee. He joined the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and participated in the Freedom Rides, which were organized to challenge segregation on interstate buses.
In 1963, he co-founded the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and led the Selma voting rights campaign, which resulted in the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965. LaFayette also played a key role in organizing the March on Washington in 1963 and the Selma to Montgomery March in 1965.
Throughout his life, LaFayette continued to work tirelessly to protect and expand voting rights for all Americans. He served as the National Program Director for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization founded by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In this position, he traveled around the country, organizing voter registration drives and working to educate communities about their rights.
LaFayette’s work went beyond the Civil Rights Movement. He was a professor emeritus at Emory University and the University of Rhode Island, where he taught courses on the philosophy and strategy of nonviolent protest. He also established the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies at the University of Rhode Island.
He was a prolific writer, with his book “In Peace and Freedom: My Journey in Selma” being widely acclaimed. In 2012, he was awarded the Gandhi King Ikeda Peace Award for his lifelong dedication to promoting nonviolent social change.
LaFayette’s legacy is one of unwavering dedication to the fight for justice and equality. His life serves as an inspiration to all who strive to make the world a better place. His passion for nonviolent protest and his commitment to educating others will continue to impact generations to come.
As we mourn the loss of this remarkable leader, we also celebrate his remarkable achievements and the indelible imprint he has left on the world. Bernard LaFayette will be remembered as a tireless advocate for justice, a champion of civil rights, and a true hero of our time.
To honor his memory, let us continue the work that he started. Let us carry on his legacy of nonviolent protest and fight for the rights of all individuals. Let us ensure that every voice is heard and every vote is counted, just as Bernard LaFayette dedicated his life to doing.
Rest in peace, Bernard LaFayette. Your contributions to the world will never be forgotten.
