Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 02:50:14 -0500 (EST) From: Christopher Rizo Subject: Civil Rights Era Not Over THE CALIFORNIA TRIANGLE 901 H STREET, SUITE 206 SACRAMENTO, CA 95814 916-491-4007 916-447-4058 FAX (((((permission granted to reprint with credit))))) Civil Rights Era Not Over Chris Rizo The California Triangle (AP) SACRAMENTO--Myrlie Evers-Williams has worked tirelessly for racial equality since she and her three children witnessed the murder of her husband, Medgar Evers in 1963. Evers-Williams, whose life was depicted in the 1996 movie, Ghosts of Mississippi, told the Triangle, `I have to believe there will be a time soon when this country will be free of bigotry.' Without that hope, `all the hard work and sacrifices of those who fought so relentlessly for equality and justice will be all for nothing.' `America,' she said, `is a place where we have the privilege to stand up and the obligation to fight for what we believe.' Alluding to the string of hate crimes the country has seen, as well as the roll of demoralizing ballot measures like Proposition 209, 187, and now Proposition 22, Evers-Williams sees `America ripe for a cultural enlightenment, ready for a period of appreciation and dialogue among people of differing opinions.' Drawing parallels between the civil rights struggles of African Americans and gay struggles for acceptance, Evers-Williams said, `The gay community must dedicate itself to the needs of their community.' She went on to say, `We can divide our nation up and each of us can find a multitude of differences, but why?' Evers-Williams insists, `All targets of hate and intolerance are talking about the same thing- civil rights.' According to Evers-Williams, the civil rights movement should not be restricted by cultural boundaries. `As long as there is still oppression and injustice, we can not stop fighting.' To limit civil rights and equality on the basis of gender or sexual orientation would be to `limit the hard work of many, many people,' she said. `Every group's cause is so very different.' For African Americans, `It is a constant struggle to be included in the American Dream.' For gays and lesbians, `It is a struggle for respect and tolerance.' And that, she said, `should never be denied.' Credited with raising consciousness in the NAACP, which she formerly chaired, by revitalizing the Association's `call to action,' Evers- Williams hopes President Clinton `becomes stronger' on civil rights issues in these last days of his presidency. As for the presidential candidates, Evers-Williams said, Vice President Gore and Senator Bradley have both made civil rights issues corner stones of their campaigns, but `Actual fruits of their commitment to equality have yet to be seen.' Ann Reed, Spokesperson for Sacramento State University, host of the conference at which Myrlie Evers-Williams spoke, said, `Sacramento State was honored to host Mrs. Evers-Williams. She has felt the bitter pain of prejudice and was able to eloquently relay her own triumphs and struggles,' said Reed, `She added a very important dimension to our conference, Ending Hate and Opening Minds.' After hours of interviews, Evers-Williams concluded her conversation with The Triangle saying, `I am so tired, but we can't stop now.'