As the final curtain is drawn on our pioneer civil rights leaders, we are reminded just how effective working together with courage and civility, can improve relations across race and culture. The death of civil rights leader, Clara Luper, is no exception.
Luper, whose memorial services will be held June 17 at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City, is being remembered for her tireless fight for racial equality — from integrating the local drug store to the desegregation of public schools. From the U.S. Congressman to the Governor and other elected officials, both Republicans and Democrats alike, Luper is lauded for her courageous, dignified, and principled fight against racial discrimination.
Luper was jailed twenty-six times for participating in nonviolent protests and sit-ins.
U.S. Congressman, James Lankford, a Republican from Edmond, Oklahoma says, “The courage of Clara Luper and her children provided the turning point in Oklahoma’s race relations, through their dignified and principled stand against discrimination in 1958.”
During her eighty-eight years, Luper’s life mirrored that of many blacks as America came to terms with the vagaries and vestiges that slavery and segregation had wrought: sub-standard education, poor housing, denial of access to public facilities, and inequality in the workplace.
Oklahoma City, like many places across the United States, was filled with racial tension and conflict.
Irrespective of the racial slurs and affronts, as well as the oppressive conditions she faced during her lifetime, Luper is being remembered for the way she chose to deal with them.
Governor Mary Fallin said, “Her leadership and commitment of equality and justice will never be forgotten.” Another legislator, State House Speaker, Kris Steele, says of Luper: “Through her actions, [she] helped lead Oklahoma and the nation forward by showing courage and courtesy simultaneously, often in the face of unpleasant opposition.”
What great lessons we can learn from Clara Luper, and apply them as we continue to work to improve race relations and conditions across America.
While much has been achieved, there is so much more that still needs to be done. We can honor Luper and the many stalwarts who have gone before her, by continuing to wage a courageous, but civil fight for all humanity.
(Source of Quotes: http://www.demondsun.com)