Race Unity in America: an Oral History
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Van Gilmer

Van Gilmer

7 posts •
Growing up in "black world"
Segregation in America

Growing up in "black world"

Van Gilmer: It was scary to participate in the Civil Rights Movement because we had no clue what would happen. I was arrested many times.

  • Van Gilmer
    Van Gilmer
1 min read
The Black Church: a spiritual and musical legacy
Arts and Social Change

The Black Church: a spiritual and musical legacy

Van Gilmer: The minister talked about us being one family, and about loving one another. And that stayed with me.

  • Van Gilmer
    Van Gilmer
1 min read
Meeting white Americans and Baha'is – for the first time
Bahai Religion

Meeting white Americans and Baha'is – for the first time

Van Gilmer: I was scared to death because my first Baha'i meeting was in a white community.

  • Van Gilmer
    Van Gilmer
1 min read
White people were suddenly in my life
Racial Unity

White people were suddenly in my life

Van Gilmer: I mean you hear the n-word now. But that was a regular word growing up.

  • Van Gilmer
    Van Gilmer
1 min read
Introducing gospel music to the Baha'i community
Arts and Social Change

Introducing gospel music to the Baha'i community

Van Gilmer: Singing the gospel music brought to many of us, who are African-Americans, the reality of the Baha’i Faith. We knew it included everybody.

  • Van Gilmer
    Van Gilmer
1 min read
How to talk about race in America
Racism in America

How to talk about race in America

Van Gilmer: There were five of us, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Baha’i, who walked through a museum to see the history of slaves in America.

  • Van Gilmer
    Van Gilmer
1 min read
The only way to eliminate racism
Racism in America

The only way to eliminate racism

Van Gilmer: My granddaughter went outside and saw a white noose hanging from a tree in her yard.

  • Van Gilmer
    Van Gilmer
1 min read
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