Bernard Lafayette

Bernard Lafayette
Born	July 29, 1940 Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Civil rights activist, educator
Known for	Civil rights movement, nonviolent protest

Bernard Lafayette (born July 29, 1940) is an American civil rights activist and educator who played a leading role in the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960s. He is best known for his work in nonviolent protest and his leadership in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).

Early Life and Education

Bernard Lafayette was born in Tampa, Florida, and grew up in a segregated society. He attended segregated schools and was deeply influenced by the racial injustices he witnessed. Lafayette pursued higher education at American Baptist College in Nashville, Tennessee, where he became involved in the civil rights movement.

Civil Rights Activism

Lafayette's activism began in earnest during his college years. He was a key participant in the Nashville sit-ins, a series of nonviolent protests against segregated lunch counters in Nashville. These sit-ins were part of a larger movement to desegregate public facilities in the South.

In 1961, Lafayette became one of the original Freedom Riders, a group of black and white activists who rode interstate buses into the segregated southern United States to challenge the non-enforcement of Supreme Court decisions that ruled segregated public buses unconstitutional.

Leadership in SNCC

Lafayette was a founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), an organization that played a central role in the civil rights movement. He worked alongside other prominent leaders such as John Lewis and Diane Nash.

Selma Voting Rights Movement

In 1965, Lafayette was appointed as the national coordinator of the Selma Voting Rights Movement. This movement was instrumental in the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States that prohibits racial discrimination in voting.

Later Career and Legacy

After the height of the civil rights movement, Lafayette continued his work in education and nonviolent activism. He served as a professor and administrator at several universities, including Harvard University and Emory University.

Lafayette has also been involved in international peace and nonviolence training, spreading the principles of nonviolent protest around the world.

Publications

Lafayette has co-authored several books on nonviolence and civil rights, including In Peace and Freedom: My Journey in Selma.

Recognition

Bernard Lafayette has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to civil rights and education. His work continues to inspire new generations of activists and educators.

See Also

• Civil Rights Movement
• Freedom Riders
• Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
• Voting Rights Act of 1965

References

• "Bernard Lafayette". Civil Rights Movement Archive. Retrieved October 10, 2023.

External Links

• Civil Rights Movement Archive: Bernard Lafayette