According to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), human rights are “standards that recognize and protect the dignity of all human beings.” When these standards are not met or created, people need to do so to ensure that we can support the common good of everyone. A crucial and influential human rights movement in the U.S. was the civil rights movement, which ensured a future for children of all races by breaking down unfair discrimination. Maryland was a slave state and experienced Jim Crow laws, meaning there was fervent prejudice against colored people. However, through the actions of civil rights leaders, the state eventually desegregated. Since March of 2001, Montgomery County has been inducting people who, according to the county per a press release, honored “exemplary leadership, lifetime or current high impact achievements and lasting impact on Montgomery County’s human rights movement.”
Since the beginning of the founding of the hall of fame, the induction process has been held biennially. In late November, the 12th ceremony of the Hall of Fame was held at the Black Rock Center for the Arts in Germantown. The leaders who were honored were: Daryl Davis, Rev. Dr. Philip W. Davis Sr., Dr. Jeremiah Floyd, Janice Freeman, Willie Pearl, Macey King and Charles L. Short. In order to receive a nomination, an individual must provide a nomination form, including a narrative of 200 to 300 words that supports their nomination, and provide supplemental information which highlights the contributions they made to civil rights. Hall of Fame inductees are nominated by their communities, and they are also recommended by a current panel of members of the Hall of Fame.
Each inductee struggled and overcame trials, which the Hall of Fame honor recognizes. One of the inductees this year, Daryl Davis, had a goal to end the Ku Klux Klan, through peace, not violence. Due to the Klan’s hateful nature, Davis at times felt that his life was in danger. However, his work was powerful, and he developed relationships with Ku Klux Klan members even though they were a hateful organization, and he succeeded in making over 200 members of the KKK leave the organization. Thanks to his efforts, colored communities are now safer from racially motivated, violent attacks. He has also shown that we can still communicate effectively with people who may disagree with us, and help them see their perspective more clearly. All of the 2022 inductees have made valuable efforts in their lives to make the county more equitable and fair.
Thomas S. Wootton High School junior had a positive view of the induction of the human rights leaders. “[This event] is extremely important for our county,” she said.
WHS junior Grace Schulwolffelt agreed with her sentiments. “[The induction represents] equal rights for communities that still suffer discrimination,” Schulwolffelt said.
Written by Tarun Senthil of Thomas Wootton High School
Photo courtesy of Flickr