The opinion piece “This month, remembering the legacy of Franklin Williams” authored by Judge Gail Prudenti, Dean, for Long Island Business News on February 12 discusses the importance of celebrating the lesser-known individuals who were instrumental in advancing the cause of racial justice.
Excerpt
Black History Month is an opportune time to celebrate the titans of the civil rights movement, giants such as Martin Luther King and Thurgood Marshall, but it’s also a time to recall the lesser-known “bridge figures” who were so instrumental in advancing the cause of racial justice.
“Bridge figure” is a term of art used by historians and anthropologists to describe the brigadier generals of the civil rights struggle who operated a step or two outside the spotlight, nimbly traversing the gap between the white and Black cultures and changing not only behaviors but attitudes. It refers to brave and often heroic trailblazers like James Farmer, Loren Miller, Whitney Young, Vernon Jordan, Dorothy Height, Andrew Young and Franklin Williams — historic figures who are too often relegated to the footnotes despite their immense contributions.
Ambassador Williams has been on my mind lately for two reasons: one, a PBS documentary (“A Bridge to Justice: The Life of Franklin H. Williams”) is airing this month around the state; two, the New York State entity named in Williams’ honor, the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. In my capacity as Chief Administrative Judge, I considered the Williams Commission the conscience of the court system when it came to racial and ethnic fairness.
Read the full article on the Long Island Business News website.
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