Byron Rushing took over the legislative seat Mel King vacated in 1983. Rushing told WBUR's All Things Considered that King believed in bringing all races together to work on social justice issues.
Boston has lost a civil rights and social justice leader whose impact on the city lasted more than half a century.King started as a grassroots community leader in the 1950s. He organized efforts against poverty and for affordable housing, better public schooling, and jobs.
King served as state representative for the South End for 10 years. He ran for mayor in 1983 but lost to Ray Flynn. During that campaign, he said in an interview that he'd be the mayor of the entire city. "I reach out to people everywhere, including people who disagree with a number of my positions. It is the only way that we're going to be able to bring the city together," King said."You find out where there are some commonalities with respect to those differences, and then you begin to move on."
That inclusiveness is what Byron Rushing remembers about Mel King. Rushing took over King's seat in the legislature and held it until 2019. The two worked together on local issues for years. "He always had a sense that there could be no major changes and successes in the city or the state without all progressives coming together — regardless of their race, regardless of any other aspects of their existence and background, other than they wanted to make things better," Rushing said."If they wanted to make things better, if they wanted to make things accessible for everyone, then Mel was part of that organizing."This segment aired on March 29, 2023.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Boston activist and politician Mel King, 'our Nelson Mandela,' dies at 94In a city that touts its history as a temporary home to two giants of the Civil Rights Movement, Mel King was 100% home-grown: a tireless organizer against apartheid and multiple wars, and in favor of affordable housing, good paying jobs and more.
Weiterlesen »
Local elected officials react to Mel King's death: 'He was the generational conscience' for MassachusettsLocal political leaders are reacting to the death of pioneering Boston civil rights activist Mel King, who died in his sleep Tuesday at the age 94. Mayor Michelle Wu said King's ideas shaped generations of leaders who drive the city closer to his vision of a more equal society.
Weiterlesen »
Mel King, who helped ease Boston's racial strife, dies at 94Longtime Boston civil rights activist Mel King, whose 1983 campaign for mayor helped the city repair some of the racial divisions sparked during the school busing crisis, has died
Weiterlesen »
Mel King, who helped ease Boston's racial strife, dies at 94BOSTON (AP) — Longtime Boston civil rights activist Mel King, whose 1983 campaign for mayor helped the city begin to repair some of the racial divisions sparked during the school busing crisis, has died.
Weiterlesen »
'Lets go': Body camera video shows Nashville officers rushing school shooterNashville police released officer body camera video of the latest mass shooting to rock the United States, generating praise for police officer Rex Engelbert and fellow officer Michael Collazo for how efficiently they pursued the assailant
Weiterlesen »
Nashville mom witnesses students rushing to safety during school shooting; jumps into action helpA mom found herself in the middle of chaos during the Nashville school shooting when children came running to her home, begging for help: 'This little boy looked up at me, and I will never forget the look in his eyes, he said, 'Help me get inside here!''
Weiterlesen »