"The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them."
–Ida B. Wells
A couple say farewell to Memphis after 'grueling but healing' work on the Lynching Sites Project
by David Waters
The Daily Memphian
About 50 family, friends and fans gathered at Caritas Village one day last week to say goodbye to Rev. Randall Mullins and his wife, Sharon Pavelda. They are moving to the Seattle area.
Randall Mullins and Sharon Pavelda, founding members of The Lynching Sites Project of Memphis, were honored to attend the swearing-in ceremony today of the first female County Public defender, our very own Phyllis Aluko. She also made history as the first African American in the office here in Shelby County!
Since early 2016 I have attempted to encourage a spirit of leadership in the Lynching Sites Project modeled after high-flying geese, but I have never taken the time to spell that out fully. I want to do that here with some examples from the LSP story.
There are 6 character traits of high-flying geese which offer profound teaching about leadership, communion with one another, and flying well as an organization:
1. Keeping Company with the Fallen
GROWING DOWN INTO THE GOODNESS OF OUR GRIEF
Grief in the Life of the Lynching Sites Project
by Randall Mullins
What is the role of black and white leadership in the Lynching Sites Project?
The Lynching Sites Project of Memphis enthusiastically supports the removal of the statues of Nathan Bedford Forrest and Jefferson Davis. Our deep thanks goes out to TakeEmDown901, the Mayor, city legal team, the City Council and many others. Our mission is to locate and memorialize all the sites of lynchings that took place in Shelby County.
A friend of mine decided to begin a group to talk about racism in his church and modeled it after Alcoholics Anonymous/Twelve-Step groups in which members begin meetings by saying “my name is ____ and I am an alcoholic.”