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News :: Civil & Human Rights : Education : Health : Housing : Urban Development |
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John Lee Johnson, RIP but Remembered |
Current rating: 0 |
by UC IMC
(No verified email address) |
24 Mar 2006
Modified: 06:21:44 PM |
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Long-time local African-American activist John Lee Johnson has passed away. He will be missed by a community who he greatly influenced. He was said to either irritate you or agitate you -- or sometimes both at the same time. But there is no question that without his efforts our community would care less about many things he worked to bring attention and action to address. Memories of John Lee are welcome here. |
Long-time local African-American activist John Lee Johnson has passed away. He will be missed by a community who he greatly influenced. He was said to either irritate you or agitate you -- or sometimes both at the same time. But there is no question that without his efforts our community would care less about many things he worked to bring attention and action to address. Memories of John Lee are welcome here.
Mr. Johnson's activism covered many facets of local life, most especially the cause of racial justice. He served on the Champaign City Council for a number of years, where he often served as a lightning rod for local conservative reaction acquired through his many years of previous activism. This activism continued after he left the council, as he led the fight to gain the consent decree, which the Champaign Schools are still working to meet the provisions of, to gain equitable education for every child in the community. He was a graduate of Urbana High School (as this editor recalls) and served in so many other capacities that it would be good to hear from his family, friends, colleagues, and even his opponents, as I'm sure that Mr. Johnson would want to talk to them, too, as he did to all in his long-running association with WEFT 90.1 FM.
He will be missed. |
This work is in the public domain. |
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John Lee Johnson In His Own Words |
by Kimberlie Kranich via email
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
24 Mar 2006
|
Dear All,
WILL AM-FM-TV has put together a web page about community advocate and radio
host John Lee Johnson who died last night after a long stay in the hospital.
The website features Mr. Johnson talking about his legacy, his family, his
efforts to improve local education and more. The site also features two
AM-580 news stories about him and two 60-minute plus interviews with him and
the transcripts of those interviews.
Mr. Johnson generously sat with Franklin Middle School students in WILL's
radio studios in 2003 and 2004 for interviews about his life and the issues
he fought so hard for as a community advocate for more than 40 years. In
each interview he challenged the students and pushed them to think with a
community-minded spirit. One of the students, Markisha Motton, an 8th
grader from Franklin, asked him some challenging questions back. It's a
great exchange. Her interview with Mr. Johnson is in the web link below.
My thanks to Tom Rogers and Jack Brighton for helping put this together.
Love,
Kimberlie Kranich
Outreach Coordinator
WILL AM-FM-TV
http://will.uiuc.edu/community/johnleejohntribute.htm
Listen to a portion of an interview Johnson (left) gave to middle school student Markisha Motton as part of an AM 580 project on the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education in 2004:
http://rms01.cites.uiuc.edu/ramgen/will/news/johnleeintvw032406.rm
Read or listen to the entire interview:
http://www.will.uiuc.edu/community/ourjourney/johnsontext.htm |
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Speech about JLJ to air on UPTV this weekend |
by Kai Boyden via DC
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
24 Mar 2006
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"The Giant", a short memorial segment on the impact of John
Lee Johnson's life (narrated by Dr. Patterson) will air on UPTV, channel 6 throughout the weekend at the following designated times:
Friday, March 24 9:00pm
Saturday, March 25 9:00am
Saturday, March 25 9:30pm
Sunday, March 26 2:30pm
Sunday, March 26 8:30pm
Sunday, March 26 10:00pm
It may also air in-between programs at undesignated times.
Public Access is the public's voice.
Make yourself Heard!
Kali A. Boyden
Urbana Public Television (UPTV-Channel 6)
City of Urbana
(217) 384-2452 |
|
You Cared Not |
by Local Yocal
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
25 Mar 2006
|
His accomplishments were endless, and his effect profound. An elderstatesman is laid into this Champaign-Urbana Battleground.
Those that eulogize him now, know in their hearts,
they fought him tooth and nail
with their stones of little racist farts.
Believe not they
that posture before his podiums.
They curse his intentions with Boulder Creek Suburban Pandimoniums.
Sick irony it will be
when they name a school
after his long legacy.
His shadow grows
with each injustice
collecting molds.
Fact is
He knew it all along,
educated citizens
whites believe among blacks don't belong.
Hail his name if you want
in vain your postures be
He rode the Horse of Righteousness
Your eyes never could see.
We'll miss this John Lee
For when he advocated for po' folks
He advocated for me.
Good rest to you, Good Man of Goodwill,
May we remember to do as you did,
Enforce our Constitution
Expect great things from the young,
Know our struggle makes God smile
For we have only just begun.
John Lee Johnson- a man who insisted government do right.
Where are our Patrick Thompson's now? |
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Re: John Lee Johnson, RIP but Remembered |
by BD
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
25 Mar 2006
|
Where are we?
Patrick Thompson, myself, and others meet every Saturday 4pm at the UCIMC. We are organizing a Community Court Watch program. The next protest will be April 5 and April 19 outside the courthouse at 1pm. Come join us. |
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Arrangements for John Lee Johnson |
by from News-Gazette Obit
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
26 Mar 2006
|
Visitation will be Friday, March 31 from 4-7pm at the Greater Holy Temple Church, 1409 W. Dublin, Urbana.
Funeral services will be at 11am on Saturday, April 1 at the church, with burial in Mount Hope Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to the William Melker Fellowship Annex, Greater Holy Temple Church, in care of Ann M. Johnson, 1409 W. Dublin St., Urbana, IL 61801. |
