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Michigan Matters: Fighting for Inclusion, Detroit's Place in Civil Rights History

Southfield (CBS 62) - As Black History Month continues, Rabbi Richard Hirsch, Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, President of Oakland University, Neil A. Barclay, President & CEO of Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and Jamon Jordan, Historian and Educator at Black Scroll Network History & Tours, appear on CBS 62's Michigan Matters to discuss Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, the Civil Rights movement and more.

thumbnail_Rabbi Richard G. Hirsch with President Lydon Baines Johnson Civil Rights Pen ceremony 1966
Rabbi Richard G. Hirsch with President Lydon B. Johnson, Civil Rights Pen Ceremony 1966 (Courtesy of The Hirsch Family)

Hirsch, now 94, ran the Reform Movement's Religious Action Center on DuPont Circle in Washington in the 1960s and offered an office to Martin Luther King Jr. when the late leader came to D.C. Hirsch also helped draft the Civil Rights Bill in his conference room. President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed that bill into law. Hirsch also marched with Rev. King in Washington and Selma. He talked with Senior Producer/Host Carol Cain about those times and the march to justice today.

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Rabbi Richard G. Hirsch, and his daughter Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, President of Oakland University
thumbnail_Rabbi Richard G. and Bella Hirsch with their four children circa 1963
Family Photo of The Hirsch Family (Courtesy of The Hirsch Family)

Pescovitz, who was only 6 at the time, also attended the March on Washington with her parents. She talked about importance of inclusion and equality. She just endowed a $250,000 gift to OU  in her parents name to help recruit and retain professors and researchers of color.

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Michigan Matters Host Carol Cain, with Neil A. Barclay, president and CEO of Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

Barclay discussed the importance of Black History Month and how his museum is celebrating with both virtual tours and also in person now on a limited basis due to the pandemic. People need pre-register for the in-person tours and social distancing rules are enforced to help keep people safe.

 

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Michigan Matters Host Carol Cain, with Jamon Jordan, Founder of Black Scroll Network and Tours

Jordan, who gives virtual and in-person tours of Detroit, talked about the Underground Railroad and ties to Detroit, as well as Rev. King's numerous visits to the Motor City. He also talked about Rosa Parks, another icon of the Civil Rights movement who lived in Detroit.

Watch MICHIGAN MATTERS, Sunday at 7:30am on CBS 62

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