Civil Rights Activist Gives Talk at K-School

Americans often celebrate Black History Month by honoring famous civil-rights leaders like the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Thurgood Marshall.

But last night, students at the Kennedy School of Government honored lesser-known activist Odette Harper Hines, who discussed her lifelong involvement in and commitment to the civil-rights movement before an audience of almost 100.

Harper Hines, an 82-year-old African American, is the subject of Judith Rollins' recent book All is Never Said: The Narrative of Odette Harper Hines, a collection of memories and inquiries from Harper Hines' life.

Harper Hines recalled that her involvement in the civil-rights movement began when her mother "carted her off to hear NAACP meetings."

"Getting into civil rights...[was] like a Lutheran being born in a church," she said.

Later, the NAACP recruited Harper Hines to direct public relations. Harper Hines said she got the job because of the shortage of qualified men during World War II.

Harper Hines said she became acquainted, often intimately, with well-known civil-rights advocates such as Marshall, Langston Hughes and W.E.B. DuBois, class of 1890, through her involvement with the NAACP, the Red Cross, the Works Progress Administration, the YWCA and other organizations.

She also described the wide variety of racially motivated social injustices she has experienced and witnessed, including the mass killings of blacks, the false accusation of murder against her husband, and her own unlawful arrest.

"[It was] a time when every black person was scared in the United States," Harper Hines recalled.

Despite the numerous tragic events during her life, Harper Hines said she is content with her efforts to change the status quo.

"Though I realize in my lifetime [I] and those climbing with me cannot reach the top, we keep climbing," she said.

Kennedy School student Rebecca Flores asked Harper Hines why relations between Hispanics and African-Americans were poor during the civil-rights era.

"Everything would be really lovely if we could understand each other's cultures," Harper Hines responded.

After the forum concluded, Flores said Harper Hines described a "myopic view of America forming coalitions."

Many audience members said they were impressed by Harper Hines' commitment to the civil-rights movement.

Graduate student C. Dale Gadsden said Harper Hines was a "true diva."

"She knew how to do what she needed to do" for the civil-rights movement, Gadsden added.

The event was co-sponsored by the Kennedy School of Government Black Student Caucus and the Journal of African American Public Policy.

Cheryl L. Bell, co-chair of the caucus, said Harper Hines was chosen to speak over "all the big names" who teach at Harvard.

"[Harper Hines has] one foot in glory and one foot on the ground," Bell said.

Kennedy School student Ralph W. Edwards, who had Harper Hines as a teacher in high school, was ultimately responsible for bringing the activist to Harvard.

Edwards said Harper Hines provided personal "snapshots" into the past, in contrast with the "big picture" depicted in many history books today

Harper Hines said she became acquainted, often intimately, with well-known civil-rights advocates such as Marshall, Langston Hughes and W.E.B. DuBois, class of 1890, through her involvement with the NAACP, the Red Cross, the Works Progress Administration, the YWCA and other organizations.

She also described the wide variety of racially motivated social injustices she has experienced and witnessed, including the mass killings of blacks, the false accusation of murder against her husband, and her own unlawful arrest.

"[It was] a time when every black person was scared in the United States," Harper Hines recalled.

Despite the numerous tragic events during her life, Harper Hines said she is content with her efforts to change the status quo.

"Though I realize in my lifetime [I] and those climbing with me cannot reach the top, we keep climbing," she said.

Kennedy School student Rebecca Flores asked Harper Hines why relations between Hispanics and African-Americans were poor during the civil-rights era.

"Everything would be really lovely if we could understand each other's cultures," Harper Hines responded.

After the forum concluded, Flores said Harper Hines described a "myopic view of America forming coalitions."

Many audience members said they were impressed by Harper Hines' commitment to the civil-rights movement.

Graduate student C. Dale Gadsden said Harper Hines was a "true diva."

"She knew how to do what she needed to do" for the civil-rights movement, Gadsden added.

The event was co-sponsored by the Kennedy School of Government Black Student Caucus and the Journal of African American Public Policy.

Cheryl L. Bell, co-chair of the caucus, said Harper Hines was chosen to speak over "all the big names" who teach at Harvard.

"[Harper Hines has] one foot in glory and one foot on the ground," Bell said.

Kennedy School student Ralph W. Edwards, who had Harper Hines as a teacher in high school, was ultimately responsible for bringing the activist to Harvard.

Edwards said Harper Hines provided personal "snapshots" into the past, in contrast with the "big picture" depicted in many history books today