Martin Luther King Day was given special recognition by Flagler College this year. Beginning this year the College will observe Martin Luther King Day every year, not only to honor the personal work of Dr. King but equally important to honor the work of St. Augustine’s residents as part of the Civil Rights Movement, particularly during the 1960s. This new observance is the result of a resolution passed the Faculty Senate and approved by the President of Flagler College in fall 2008.
I believe it to be very important for the Flagler College community to be aware of the work of those St. Augustine residents who are being honored by the College’s observance of Martin Luther King Day. The work of the residents, particularly during the years 1963 and 1964, contributed significantly to the Civil Right Movement and ultimately to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which was passed and signed by President Lyndon Johnson in the summer of 1964.
The Proctor Library's collections contain several resources that provide excellent looks at that period of time in St. Augustine history, as well as years both before and beyond.
One of the more interesting items is the documentary film Dare Not Walk Alone. This film was written, directed and produced by Flagler College alumnus Jeremy Dean, and co-produced by Dr. James Gilmore, a former faculty member in the College’s Communication Department. The Library currently has four DVD copies of this documentary. Two copies are available for normal circulation from our Audio-Visual Collection (Call Number is F319.S2 D37 2008) and two copies are available in our Permanent Reserve Collection for use inside the Library only. Any member of the Library staff can help retrieve one of these copies.
More detailed information about happenings during the historic period can be found within the following two books:
If it takes all summer : Martin Luther King, the KKK, and states’ rights in St. Augustine, 1964, by Dan Warren. Call number is F319.S2 W365 2008
Racial change and community crisis : St. Augustine, Florida, 1877-1980, by David Colburn. Call number is F319.S2 C65 1991.
All are recommended, and I hope members of the Flagler College community will take some time to review at least one of the resources.
