Julian Bond Tells It Like It Is and Was

March 07, 2011

“In spite of the impressive increases in equality and gains of individual liberties achieved during the past 45 years, Americans are facing more difficult problems now than ever,” proclaimed Civil Rights champion Julian Bond to a capacity audience in Tiedtke Concert Hall on Thursday, March 3. “The growing gap between the “have mores,” “haves” and “have-nots” and lack of educational quality and equality pose great threats to our nation.”

Presented by the Winter Park Institute, Visiting Scholar Julian Bond captivated the Rollins community with his eloquence, humor and strikingly forthright social commentary. In two engaging events, Bond described his long career challenging racial inequality and outlined barriers that have yet to be overcome.

“In addition to whatever job I have had throughout my life, I have always been engaged in Civil Rights activity,” commented Bond. As a leader of the movement against white supremacy, Bond confessed that his life-long crusade to increase personal, social and economic freedoms for Black Americans remains unresolved. “It is time for us to put our shoulders to the wheel and recognize the social issues that get worse in this country every day. Jim Crow may be dead but racism in this country is alive and well.”

The evening event titled Civil Rights Then and Now had the electric atmosphere of a revival meeting. In addition to receiving numerous standing ovations, Bond’s discussion of the significance of the Obama presidency, as well as the racist undertones of the Tea Party, instigated audible affirmations from the audience.

To read more, click here