Rev. C. T. Vivian discussed social justice movements of the past and present for students and faculty at N.C. State Monday. African American Cultural Center hosted the lecture.
This is the third year the Living Legends event has taken place. Vivian is a minister, author, lieutenant of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., and revolutionist of the Civil Rights Movement.
Vivian, who likes to refer to himself as “90 years young,” said he has been a part of the civil rights movement for more than 70 years. He has held several racial awareness workshops at N.C. State, which seek to eliminate the racism on campus and in the way faculty members approach each other.
Uninhibited Praise NCSU Gospel Choir performed the song God is Great by Ricky Dillard. Then, Dr. Shelia Smith Mckoy, Director of AACC, led the discussion with Dr. Vivian.
“Dr. Vivian made N.C. State a diverse space and changed the face of N.C. State.” McKoy said.
Vivian’s lecture started with a review of non-violent strategy. He said he used direct action in his first years as an activist but that non-violent strategies were needed to create a change. Nonviolent strategies entailed not fighting back, regardless of what happened, according to Vivian.
“The greatness of civil rights is in strategy,” Vivian said.
However, Vivian said that passivity will not change anything.
“It was a moral and spiritual movement, not political,” Vivian said.
Vivian spoke about his experience as Martin Luther King Jr.’s lieutenant. He said that King didn’t mind sharing leadership, and he would always ask questions before a movement.
Vivian said people chose King as their leader because of his intellect.
Vivan also lectured about the importance of working with students to make social activists, noting that he led a charge in Nashville, Tenn, with students.
Brayndon Stafford, a sophomore in computer engineering, said he enjoyed the event.
“This is a once in a lifetime experience to be in the same room with someone who has done so much for N.C. State,” Stafford said.
“Thank you for your spirit and the planting seeds you left behind.” Darryl Lester, AACC assistant director said.
Vivian said that during his workshops, he would make faculty remain in the room when arguments arouse about the pain of segregation. Ideas at the workshops were encouraged to be used and open questions were allowed, he said.
Vivian’s workshops have been taught nationally and worldwide.
Special presentations were made by Tejuan Manners, President of Phi Lambda Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, and Toni Thorpe, AACC Program Coordinator.
