“From chaos, and from the ashes, we usually have a few good people rise to the top,” remarks Dr. Keith Parker, a sociology professor at Florida A&M University who applies his field’s theory of “rising expectations” to acts of courage and activism. 

“If you expect people to do good things, they will. History teaches us that many men and women do not adhere to the common denominator. They are the outliers and they make it possible for others to excel,” Parker said.

He counts local, FAMU activists, Wilhelmina Jakes and Carrie Patterson among these individuals. Tuesday, May 26, will mark the 64th Anniversary of the Tallahassee Bus Boycott when Jakes and Patterson sat in the “whites only” section of a segregated bus. Many students were arrested and charged with “placing themselves in a position to incite a riot.” Jakes and Patterson woke up the next morning to burning crosses on their front lawns. 

The National Education and Empowerment Coalition will honor these students during their annual celebration on May 21 and 22. Though this year will look different due to COVID-19 restrictions, activities will include a virtual showing of two documentaries, as well as livestream panel discussions. This will be Parker’s sixth year involved in the remembrance. 

“I am still fascinated to learn more about the valor and courage of ordinary men and women, especially when it involves doing things at the time when they had very little protection from state and federal law enforcement agencies,” says Parker. “They knew the risks involved in their efforts, but they put the greater good of the community before their personal self-interests.” 

Parker grew up immersed in conversations surrounding injustices and the fight for basic civil rights. His desire to be a community-engaged leader and sociologist was driven by the bravery of the men and women in his Mississippi hometown where his interests in social justice and human success stories first coalesced. 

Read the rest of the story by visiting the Tallahassee Democrat

or read more by downloading the article here