One Montgomery
Encyclopedia
One Montgomery is a diverse group of citizens in Montgomery, Alabama
who seek to promote understanding and trust between people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds through discussion, education, social interaction, and enhanced personal relationships. Its membership has included numerous individuals who were active in the Civil Rights Movement
in Alabama, including Johnnie Carr (who was a close friend of Rosa Parks
), Rev. Dr. Robert Graetz
(who was pastor of a black congregation in Montgomery and worked closely with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
during the bus boycott), and other community leaders.
The group embraces diversity as an essential strength of American society. It was founded in 1984 following the "Todd Road Incident" in which out-of-state blacks were charged with assaulting two white plainclothes policemen who, failing to identify themselves, forcefully entered a residence which they thought was a crack house but in which the visitors were holding a post-funeral gathering. In the ensuing struggle both policemen were wounded, resulting in the visitors being charged with serious offenses. After a polarizing trial, they were acquitted. The trial resulted in severe racial stress in the city and area.
As a result of the Todd Road Incident city officials and concerned citizens met and formed One Montgomery, Leadership Montgomery (a civic training program) , and citizens formed the Friendly Supper Club, which meets at the Alabama State University
faculty dining room at 6:00pm on the first Monday of each month.
One Montgomery has played an important role in promoting mutual understanding during several racially charged situations. For example, when organizations recognized as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center
staged demonstrations and marched up Dexter Avenue toward the state Capitol, One Montgomery hosted a counter-vigil at the nearby Civil Rights Memorial
Despite such occasional activities, One Montgomery is not an "activist" organization but rather a forum for networking and education. The group is always seeking members who are interested in meaningful and civil dialog. Membership is open to the public, with a goal of achieving diversity of racial and ethnic backgrounds and age groups. Dues are reasonable, covering a catered breakfast. Guests may attend two meetings before having to pay dues.
One Montgomery meets each Tuesday morning from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. at the 11th floor of the Goode Building at Jackson Hospital
with exception of holidays as decided by the membership. Each meeting starts with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. The first meeting of each month is normally reserved for open discussion and disposition of business. Other meetings feature a presentation by a guest speaker on some topic of interest.
On controversial topics, the group often invites a speaker to present the other side of the argument at a subsequent meeting.
Members are encouraged to participate in civic activities that improve diversity relations.
Columnist Article about One Montgomery http://www.majorcox.com/columns/jordblac.htm
Profile of Montgomery, Alabama and civic groups http://www.answers.com/topic/montgomery-alabama
Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
who seek to promote understanding and trust between people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds through discussion, education, social interaction, and enhanced personal relationships. Its membership has included numerous individuals who were active in the Civil Rights Movement
Civil rights movement
The civil rights movement was a worldwide political movement for equality before the law occurring between approximately 1950 and 1980. In many situations it took the form of campaigns of civil resistance aimed at achieving change by nonviolent forms of resistance. In some situations it was...
in Alabama, including Johnnie Carr (who was a close friend of Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks
Rosa Louise McCauley Parks was an African-American civil rights activist, whom the U.S. Congress called "the first lady of civil rights", and "the mother of the freedom movement"....
), Rev. Dr. Robert Graetz
Robert Graetz
Robert S. Graetz is a Lutheran clergyman who, as the white pastor of a black congregation in Montgomery, Alabama, openly supported the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a landmark event of the U.S. civil rights movement.-Role in civil rights movement:...
(who was pastor of a black congregation in Montgomery and worked closely with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
during the bus boycott), and other community leaders.
The group embraces diversity as an essential strength of American society. It was founded in 1984 following the "Todd Road Incident" in which out-of-state blacks were charged with assaulting two white plainclothes policemen who, failing to identify themselves, forcefully entered a residence which they thought was a crack house but in which the visitors were holding a post-funeral gathering. In the ensuing struggle both policemen were wounded, resulting in the visitors being charged with serious offenses. After a polarizing trial, they were acquitted. The trial resulted in severe racial stress in the city and area.
As a result of the Todd Road Incident city officials and concerned citizens met and formed One Montgomery, Leadership Montgomery (a civic training program) , and citizens formed the Friendly Supper Club, which meets at the Alabama State University
Alabama State University
Alabama State University, founded 1867, is a historically black university located in Montgomery, Alabama. ASU is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund.- History :...
faculty dining room at 6:00pm on the first Monday of each month.
One Montgomery has played an important role in promoting mutual understanding during several racially charged situations. For example, when organizations recognized as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center
Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center is an American nonprofit civil rights organization noted for its legal victories against white supremacist groups; legal representation for victims of hate groups; monitoring of alleged hate groups, militias and extremist organizations; and educational programs that...
staged demonstrations and marched up Dexter Avenue toward the state Capitol, One Montgomery hosted a counter-vigil at the nearby Civil Rights Memorial
Despite such occasional activities, One Montgomery is not an "activist" organization but rather a forum for networking and education. The group is always seeking members who are interested in meaningful and civil dialog. Membership is open to the public, with a goal of achieving diversity of racial and ethnic backgrounds and age groups. Dues are reasonable, covering a catered breakfast. Guests may attend two meetings before having to pay dues.
One Montgomery meets each Tuesday morning from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. at the 11th floor of the Goode Building at Jackson Hospital
with exception of holidays as decided by the membership. Each meeting starts with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. The first meeting of each month is normally reserved for open discussion and disposition of business. Other meetings feature a presentation by a guest speaker on some topic of interest.
On controversial topics, the group often invites a speaker to present the other side of the argument at a subsequent meeting.
Members are encouraged to participate in civic activities that improve diversity relations.
External links
Montgomery Advertiser Article about One Montgomery http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/montgomeryadvertiser/access/1774986611.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Oct+26%2C+2005&author=Kirsten+J+Barnes&pub=Montgomery+Advertiser&edition=&startpage=7&desc=One+Montgomery+saddened%2C+still+workingColumnist Article about One Montgomery http://www.majorcox.com/columns/jordblac.htm
Profile of Montgomery, Alabama and civic groups http://www.answers.com/topic/montgomery-alabama