James L. Farmer, Jr. Biography
| Born as | James Leonard Farmer, Jr. |
| Occup. | Activist |
| From | USA |
| Born | January 12, 1920
Marshall, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | July 9, 1999
Fredericksburg, Virginia |
| Cause | Diabetes complications |
| Aged | 79 years |
Early Life as well as Education
James Leonard Farmer, Jr. was born upon January 12, 1920, in Marshall, Texas, USA. He was the secondly of three kids to James L. Farmer, Sr.-- a noticeable preacher, professor, and also writer-- and Pearl Houston, an instructor. Maturing in a household deeply dedicated to education and learning, Farmer obtained his main education from his mommy, as racial segregation in Texas prevented the family from sending their kids to school.
Farmers later participated in Wiley College, a historically black institution in Marshall, Texas, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry in 1938. In 1941, he relocated to Ohio and also gained a Bachelor of Divinity level from Howard University's School of Religion, where he examined with popular spiritual numbers such as
Howard Thurman as well as Benjamin Mays.
Early Activism as well as Founding of CORE
In 1942, Farmer co-founded the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in Chicago alongside George Houser, James R. Robinson, Bernice Fisher, Joe Guinn, as well as others. Farmer was influenced to act versus racial partition after experiencing discrimination as well as segregation firsthand during his time in Ohio. CORE brought together both black and also white Americans who were committed to nonviolent straight action versus racial discrimination, with the company's initial concentrate on desegregating public facilities as well as enhancing race connections.
As the national director of CORE, Farmer organized as well as led the 1961 Freedom Rides. The Freedom Rides aimed to check the federal government's enforcement of desegregating interstate bus traveling. This effective nonviolent project brought national attention to the ruthless fact of racial segregation in the South and also brought about the ultimate assimilation of bus transport. Farmer was steadfast in his work with this campaign despite dealing with harassment, violence, and arrest. In 1963, he was also involved in the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
Late Career and also Legacy
Farmer left CORE in 1966 and also later signed up with the
Lyndon B. Johnson management as the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and also Welfare. In spite of facing backlash from some civil liberties protestors that saw working with the government as compromising, Farmer used his setting to further defend equivalent legal rights, especially in education.
Additionally, Farmer showed at a number of colleges, including Lincoln University, New York University, as well as the University of Mary Washington. He was also the writer of numerous publications, including his memoir "Lay Bare the Heart" (1985) and also "Freedom-- When?" (1965).
James L. Farmer, Jr. passed away on July 9, 1999, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, at the age of 79. His heritage stays significant to the history of the civil liberties motion in the United States. In acknowledgment of his crucial work, Farmer was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998. Following his fatality, the James Farmer Multicultural Center was established at the University of Mary Washington to advertise understanding and also recognition for diversity within the university community as well as beyond.
Throughout his life, Farmer stayed unfaltering in his dedication to equality and also justice for all people, and his job continues to resonate with and also motivate new generations of civil liberties lobbyists.
Our collection contains 4 quotes who is written / told by James.
Related authors: Lyndon B. Johnson (President), Howard Thurman (Educator), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)
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