Doug writes about James Forman and YLSN Peace Parade

Doug is a member of a SNCC listserv and as Jim’s health began to fade, members began posting memories and tributes to their friend and mentor. Doug posted the following:

I've had the pleasure of knowing Jim for many years from the DC activist community. Mostly though, I'd see him on walking down the street in my neighborhood. I'd always make it a point to stop and say hello, even if was a shout-out from my car window. His face would instantly transform from deep thought to a bright smile. He'd always walk on with a big smile on his face.

A little over a year ago, my group, the Youth Leadership Support Network, organized a neighborhood peace parade with about 30 very young African American and Latino kids. It was all of their first demonstration. We marched around the neighborhood then stopped by Malcolm X Park where a Black Voices for Peace Rally was beginning. The MC, Damu Smith, brought us up to the front of the crowd and all kinds of peace activists applauded such young kids taking action. It was a good experience.

As we marched back towards our center, Jim was walking down the sidewalk to the demo. I stopped our kids and introduced him. Thirty half-pints all said in unison "Hello Jim!" and then shook his hand, talked for a few moments and Jim passed out the latest info (as always). To a one, they knew they were meeting living history, someone important in their neighborhood, someone who had done what they were just beginning to do. Before we left everyone shouted "Goodbye Jim!!" with great enthusiasm. As we moved on Jim pumped my hand, not letting go, with a huge smile on his face. He told me he just saw the future and it was good and gave him strength. As we moved on, protesters were flowing towards the demo and Jim re-joined the flow, an elderly man wheeling a carry-on bag full of fliers, with a huge smile on his face.

-- Doug Calvin, Washington DC