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Ed Smith
57quotes
Ed Smith: A Pioneer in Education and Social Justice
Full Name and Common Aliases
Ed Smith is the common alias of Edward Edwin Smith, a renowned American educator, civil rights activist, and community leader.
Birth and Death Dates
Ed Smith was born on May 10, 1927, in Nashville, Tennessee. He passed away on June 21, 2013, at the age of 86.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: American
Profession(s): Educator, Civil Rights Activist, Community Leader
Early Life and Background
Ed Smith was born into a family of modest means in Nashville's African American community. He grew up during the Great Depression, which instilled in him a strong sense of social justice and the importance of education as a tool for empowerment. Smith's early life was marked by a deep connection to his community, which he would later draw upon throughout his career.
Major Accomplishments
Ed Smith is best known for his tireless efforts to improve educational opportunities for African American students in Nashville. In 1957, he founded the Community Action Workshop, a community-based organization that provided educational and job training programs for young people from underserved neighborhoods. Under Smith's leadership, the workshop grew into a thriving institution that served as a model for community development initiatives across the country.
Notable Works or Actions
One of Ed Smith's most notable achievements was his role in the Nashville sit-ins of 1960. As a leading figure in the Nashville civil rights movement, Smith worked closely with student activists to organize protests and demonstrations aimed at desegregating public facilities. His work during this period helped pave the way for landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Impact and Legacy
Ed Smith's impact on education and social justice extends far beyond his native Nashville. Through his advocacy and community leadership, he inspired a generation of activists, educators, and policymakers to work towards creating more equitable societies. Today, Smith is remembered as a pioneering figure in the struggle for racial equality and educational opportunity.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Ed Smith's legacy is reflected in the countless lives he touched through his work. As a passionate advocate for social justice, he continues to inspire educators, activists, and community leaders around the world. His commitment to empowering marginalized communities and promoting education as a tool for empowerment serves as a beacon of hope for future generations.
As we reflect on Ed Smith's remarkable life and legacy, it is clear that his impact will be felt for years to come. Through his tireless advocacy and unwavering dedication to social justice, he leaves behind a lasting testament to the power of community leadership and activism.
Quotes by Ed Smith
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The community put such a premium on success. And you had no excuse to blame racism or discrimination as a reason why you couldn't succeed.
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Howard is still a great school. But many of the great faculty members that would be at Howard today are now at Harvard and Yale and Princeton. All this comes as a consequence of affirmative action and the admissions policies that encouraged blacks to enroll in the Ivy League schools.
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I never heard people speak about segregation as some great cross that they were bearing. They just went on about their lives. Some of them had good contacts with white people that they were serving in someone's home. Sometimes those white families almost effectively adopted you.
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I mean, you're talking about shutting an interstate down for four or five hours... it could have been several days had it gotten to that point.
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I'm glad the mayor has given a timetable. I know it's up to him to bring the names, but we don't want to wait more than a year.
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It's real special when two teams bring everything they have to a championship basketball game. Both teams played exceptional defense, and this one feels good.
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I try to tell them before every game that somebody will have to come in and play well. Those girls really played well tonight.
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It's so much less pressure here. No one cares if you make a mistake. You can play a song to try it out. People are very respectful.
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There were some kind white people out there who provided a loan here or there, or a little bit of land. But Booker T. Washington and his followers knew that they were going to have to draw from their own resources and they knew that the larger white world was looking at them, every day, closely monitoring them.
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