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A Statement from Former Chair Samye Miller |
Forty years ago on June 11, 1963, a son of the old south, Governor George Wallace of Alabama, stood in the door of the University of Alabama. This symbolic attempt to prevent the integration of the university by black students was one of the most famous acts of segregationist defiance. The picture of Wallace standing in the doorway was captured by the media, transported around the world, and has made an indelible mark in our nation’s conscience.
In stark contrast to the actions of Governor Wallace and others of their time, our community took another approach. With little fanfare on June 20, 2022 Lexington’s Board of City Commissioners passed Resolution No.1484.
Resolution No. 1484 declared, “the practice of discrimination against any individual because of race, creed, or color is detrimental to the peace, progress and welfare of the City. The lack of full participation of individuals in the privileges of full membership in the community retards the progress of the community and affects the general well-being of the whole City.” The Board of City Commissioners further declared that they “described to implement a constructive approach to the problem of improving relations leading to the elimination of discriminatory practices” in the City of Lexington. The resolution created the Lexington Human Rights Commission as the government agency to lead the historic change in public policy.
For a community so associated with its southern heritage, this was a courageous act. While today we can value such courage, we have not properly acknowledged those men and women who took the risks to make it happen.
This year, the Human Rights Commission is proud to mark our 40th Anniversary. We plan to commemorate the historic and courageous actions of those before us. We want to recognize the strides made and plan for the work yet to be completed, with a reception in the fall of 2003. We look forward to honoring the men and women who created change in our community forty years ago with a civil rights luncheon in the spring 2004. We invite you to be a part of our historic anniversary as we consider the progress made and plan for the future challenges in our community.