On December 5th, Pulitzer Prize winning author Taylor Branch spoke to an audience of 300 community members, civic leaders, board members, Facing History teachers and students at Shaker Heights High School.
Mr. Branch is best known for his trilogy of books,
America in the King Years,chronicling the life of Dr. Martin Luther
King and the Civil Rights Movement. He offered a passionate and
insightful account of the miracles and myths of the movement, the life
of Dr. King, high-stakes political events, and the day-to-day struggles
of the farmers and teachers, sharecroppers and dentists who acted in
the face of great personal risk to end segregation and discrimination.
Following his lecture, Mr. Branch answered questions
from students and community members. Lauren Saks, a senior at Shaker
Heights High School, closed the evening by sharing her experience of
attending an integrated school, and challenged the audience to end
self-imposed segregation within schools and communities.
The event was part of a national series offered by The
Allstate Foundation and Facing History during 2006-2007 which feature
prominent scholars, authors, filmmakers and policy leaders addressing
issues of tolerance, civic engagement, and individual and collective
responsibility.