Garfield/Palouse students attend Freedom Rider talk at WSU

Garfield/Palouse seniors attending the Jan. 22 talk at WSU recorded a class photo with Diane Nash, seated in front between Chandler Pfaff and Melissa Heaton. Other seniors are Row 1: Matthew Dymkoski, Taylah Clark, Sarah Fisch, Noah Rose, Ariel Hoffman, Sammi Johnson, Kimmy Schaub, Taylor Redman; Row 2: Mr. Scott Thompson, Adrian Green, Cassie Martin, Jesse Lopez, Tylor Wilson, Malachi Lewis, Zach Kuehner, Tom Woltering, Jade Thomas, Katryna Newman, Katie Yoder, Mrs. Vickie Griner and Mr. Dennis Griner. Photo and article courtesy Dennis Griner.

Fifty–four students from Garfield/Palouse High School’s U.S. History and Current World history classes attended Diane Nash’s presentation “From jail in Jackson to the Distinguished American Award: My Life as an Activist,” at Washington State University’s Compton Union Building Jan. 22.

Nash was one of the original “Freedom Riders” of 1961. As a leader she was instrumental in breaking down racial barriers in America by riding interstate buses through the Deep South. The extreme bigotry at the time resulted in brutal violence directed to the riders. The horrific treatment of the riders by the infamous police chief “Bull” Connor and the KKK at the Birmingham bus station brought the Freedom Riders national attention. The outcry against racial discrimination eventually forced President John Kennedy to intervene.

The students were impressed by Nash’s presentation and her personal insights into the changes that have occurred across America since her experiences in the 1960s.

For the students of Garfield/Palouse, she asked that they evaluate their own views on equality of man, regardless of race, ethnicity or religion. Her advice to those in attendance was to respond to inequities in a personal commitment.

“Take the future into your own hands. You are the solution, not the politicians, not the legislatures. Future generations are expecting you to do this for them,” she stated,

Chaperones for the trip were Scott Thompson, English instructor, Dennis Griner, U.S. History and Current World Issues instructor and Vickie Griner, high school secretary.