Freedom rider retells experiences

Matt Lindner/Assistant Campus Editor FREEDOM RIDER: David Fankhauser talks about his experiences fighting for civil rights in the '60s Monday night at Loeb Playhouse.

By Matt Lindner
Assistant Campus Editor

An eclectic blend of around 150 people gathered Monday night in Loeb Playhouse to hear a prominent member of the Civil Rights Movements of the 1960s relate his experiences during those times.

David Fankhauser, who was one of the famed white freedom riders who rode Greyhound buses through the South during the Jim Crow era, gave an emotionally stirring and interactive presentation using visual aids to help accentuate his speech.

He was preceded on stage by Purdue president Martin Jischke, who introduced the evening's events with words of hope.

"The problems we face in integrating society are great, but they are realistically nothing more than opportunities in the making," Jischke said.

An inspirational performance by the Purdue Musical Organization Bell Choir followed Jischke's opening remarks. The choir played two songs, "America the Beautiful" and "Amazing Grace" before giving way to Human Relations Interactive Theatre Ensemble, which gave its inaugural performance entitled "Trouble the Water." The performance, which was written and researched entirely by the cast, was named after a popular hymn that many sang during the Civil Rights Movement. The Jahari Dance Troupe followed with a dance that incorporated skilled moves and flowing costumes.

Fankhauser took the stage after the dance troupe and was introduced by Dorothy Simpson-Taylor, who is the director of the Diversity Resource Office.

"He (Fankhauser) has done everything from discover a bacteria strain in iced tea to fight for others' right to be free," Simpson said. "What's even more remarkable is that he continues to be actively involved in Civil Rights Movements in his home of Cincinnati."

Fankhauser, armed with slides of his days as a white freedom rider, shared his first-hand experiences, recalling in particular a time when he stayed at civil rights leader Ralph Abernathy's Alabama home.
"We were instructed to stay away from the windows and doors at all times because if anybody found out that a white man was staying in the home of a colored man, the police and Ku Klux Klan would have raised a lot of trouble," Fankhauser said.
Those in attendance came for various reasons ranging from extra credit to wanting to educate their children about what had happened.
"I came not only because one of my teachers was offering us extra credit if we went but also because I find this kind of material very intriguing," said Melissa Armstrong, a freshman in the School of Liberal Arts. "I was really glad that I came because Mr. Fankhauser gave a very moving presentation."

Lafayette resident Russ Jones and his wife, Barb, brought their two daughters, Becca and Katie, to help them learn more about an important period in history.

"We came because we feel that the city's school systems should have honored the holiday and given the children the day off in remembrance of Dr. King," said Russ. "My wife and I wanted to help our children understand the significance of this holiday and what it means to us as Americans."

Katie Jones said that she both enjoyed the presentation and also learned something from it as well.
"The pictures in his presentation made his speech easier to relate to because it put a face on all of the terrible things that happened to those who were only trying to do good," said Katie.

Fankhauser closed his speech by saying that the power to change the way society works rests partly in the hands of college students.
"Thank goodness for the student movements of this society, because the students are taking this country in the direction that it needs to go in," he said.

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CAMPUS DESK PHONE:
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Campus editor: Kelsey VanArsdall

Assistant Campus editors: Rachael Conley, Matt Lindner

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