His work grows in importance after his death
Civil rights champion and hero C.T. Vivian died on July 17, 2020. Still, his life and contributions remain alive through his legacy, his family and now his memoir
The anniversary of dad’s death brings back memories. As detailed in our father’s book “It’s in the Action: Memories of a Nonviolent Warrior,” Nashville played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement.
Today, we are proud to claim the role that he and our family played in Nashville in the 60s.
In the early morning of July 17, 2020, our father, civil rights icon C.T. Vivian passed away.
From that moment on, the news of his death and the story of his life spread around the world through massive media coverage.
Through the tributes and acknowledgement of his role in the civil rights movement, particularly, the passing of the Voting Rights Act in 1965, he has become more widely known in his death than during his life.
A very humble leader, he began his ministry at the Historic First Community Church and four of us were born there while our family lived in Nashville.
We feel so close to the city and all that it stands for.
Vivian’s role in the Civil Rights Movement took off in Nashville
In the year since his death, interest in and appreciation of C.T. has increased dramatically. This is due in part to the national debate about voting rights for which he fought so hard and in part because of the publication of his only memoir,”it’s in the Action.” The memoir is, in effect, a chronicle of the 20th Century struggle for civil rights.
C.T. began his involvement in 1947 in restaurant sit-ins in Peoria, Illinois, and continued the fight by leading the movement to integrate Nashville in 1960, was a Freedom Rider jailed and beaten in Mississippi, and played pivotal roles in Birmingham, St. Augustine, and Selma before correctly identifying the North as the next battleground and moving to Chicago.
But it was in Nashville that his role in the civil rights movement really took off.
Dad was always a leader. In boyhood, he led his classmates to believe in the principles of non-violence. As one of the few African American students in Macomb High School, he became the president of several school clubs. He began his college career at Western Illinois University, and later transferred to American Baptist College in Nashville with his wife Octavia and family. It was there that he led lunch counter sit-ins in the late fifties and early sixties that led to the desegregation of the city.
July becomes the month to celebrate this icon’s legacy
C.T.’S memoir has received media attention from coast to coast, and such luminaries as Andrew Young, Bernard Lafayette, Dr. Bernice King, and memoir collaborator, Steve Fiffer have spoken to numerous groups interested in knowing more about him. In addition, over 700 copies of the memoir have been given to graduating high school and college students in several of the cities where C.T. made a mark. Now, as we once again celebrate his life on the anniversary of his death, the anniversary of his homegoing on July 23rd, and the anniversary of his birth 97 years ago on July 30th, July becomes the month to celebrate CT Vivian.
“It’s In The Action,” his memoir, has surged in popularity as we approach these dates. Its importance in sharing the Nashville story cannot be underestimated. The memory of C.T. Vivian will live on, but momentum for recognizing his heroic past has only just begun. His books will help guide the way, along with many programs to come in the year ahead.
We are also planning to hold a book signing and celebratory event this fall at Historic First Community Church, where C.T. first preached in Nashville. This will be our family reunion with you.
Written by C.T. Vivian’s children: Jo Anna Vivian Walker, Denise Vivian Morse, Kira Vivian, Mark E. Vivian, Charisse Vivian Thornton and Al Vivian. Learn more by visiting the C.T. and Octavia Vivian Museum and Archives.