70th Anniversary Of Colvin’s “Heroic Stand”
The public is invited to the Cathedral on Monday, March 3 at 12.30pm to honour the 70th anniversary of 15-year-old Claudette Colvin’s “heroic stand” on a Montgomery, Alabama bus.
A spokesperson said, “The island community is invited to join an appreciation celebration on Monday, March 3 from 12.30pm to 1.30pm at the Cathedral for the 70th anniversary of the heroic stand taken by 15-year-old Claudette Colvin on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. The keen high school student refused the order of a bus driver – and then police – and was arrested for violating segregation laws.
“As a part of the appreciation celebration, the island’s buses will run with the lights on throughout Monday, March 3, highlighting the fact that 15-year-old Claudette let her light shine in the face of the darkness of segregated Montgomery.
“Bus lights will also be shining for the legacy in Bermuda of teens letting their light shine by accessing agency and making a difference in the wider community and even the world. Included amongst that number is David Wingate and Clyde Best being highlighted on Monday at the Cathedral.
- As a 15-year-old, Wingate was recruited for the three-man team who re-discovered the Cahow through a dangerous adventure in Castle Harbour, launching his passionate journey to steward Bermuda’s delicate balance and becoming a globally recognized icon in that regard.
- At 16-years-old, Clyde Best was a key striker for Bermuda’s national football team, which won the silver medal at the 1967 Pan Am Games. As a 17-year-old, Best joined West Ham United, emerging as a key striker for that Premier League side as one of the few black professional footballers at a time of bald-faced racism.
“All three of these teens have stories that suggest that they overcame challenges with the help of a source bigger than themselves.
“Claudette Colvin reports that her spontaneous stand emerged from learning in school about the bravery of Harriett Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Fredrick Douglas, and that when ordered by the police to move, she had a vision of Tubman at her side.
“David Wingate also reports that before the re-discovery, he found bones of a Cahow in a cave in Tom Moore’s Jungle, during which he experienced a vision of live Cahows.
“Clyde Best reports a variety of experiences of serendipity during his early professional career, allowing him to overcome challenges, that are hard to explain.
“During the community gathering, stakeholders from the community will join in the spirit of rallying – continuing the theme of ‘it takes a village’ – including the Ministry of Education, Shadow Ministry; Unions; NGO’s; and Parent/Family Empowerment.
“Nutshell presentations will be interspersed with musical interludes.
“Folks who cannot be available to spend some time at the Cathedral are invited to let their light shine in any way they feel so moved, helping neighbours, doing a favour for a work colleague, etc.”
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