91短视频 history professor Mark Metzler Sawin (back to camera) did a "for the record" videotaped interview with Vincent Harding on Feb. 27, 2014, in which Harding elaborated on how he became linked to the Mennonite Church nearly 60 years ago and his views on the role of Mennonites in combating racism. (Photo by Lindsey Kolb)

91短视频 mourns death of Vincent Harding, a Mennonite compatriot of MLK, a friend to all oppressed peoples

by Bonnie Price Lofton

91短视频 joins millions of people worldwide in grieving the passing of Vincent Harding, sorrowing that we will no longer hear his prophetic voice in person 鈥� reminding us that the dream for 鈥渢rue democracy and justice鈥� of Harding鈥檚 friend, Martin Luther King Jr., has yet to be realized.

Harding died yesterday [May 19, 2014] at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital from complications due to an aneurysm near his heart. He was 82. His death comes three months after spending of faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members at 91短视频.

At 91短视频, Harding and his wife Aljosie spoke of looking forward to having a writing sabbatical (he hoped to make progress on an autobiography) at Pendle Hill, a tranquil Quaker retreat center beside Swarthmore College outside Philadelphia. While at Pendle Hill, Harding developed the heart problems that caused him to spend his last 10 days in the hospital.

Vincent Harding speaking at university chapel at 91短视频.
Vincent Harding speaking at university chapel at 91短视频, Feb. 26, 2014. (Photo by Dylan Bomgardner)

Harding was a direct influence on , Distinguished Professor of at 91短视频 and co-director of the . In an published by 91短视频 soon after Harding鈥檚 February visit, Zehr recalled in the 1960s 鈥渟itting at the dining room table with him as he patiently helped a na茂ve white boy understand racial injustice in this country.鈥� Zehr subsequently enrolled in Morehouse College in Atlanta (MLK鈥檚 alma mater) and became its first white graduate in 1966. From then on, Zehr focused on addressing social injustices, eventually becoming known as the 鈥済randfather of restorative justice.鈥�

This is just one example of the tens of thousands of people directly influenced by Harding 鈥� millions of people, if one considers the impact of the speeches that Harding wrote for MLK. Harding drafted the famous and highly controversial speech called 鈥�,鈥� delivered by King in New York City on April 4, 1967, exactly one year to the day before his assassination.

Harding was an ordained Mennonite pastor during the era when he and his late wife, Rosemarie, were active in the civil rights movement alongside King and his wife, Coretta.

Harding never stopped struggling on behalf of oppressed peoples. Two years ago, for example, he and Aljosie met with nonviolent Palestinian freedom-struggle activists in the occupied West Bank.

Hear Harding speak at 91短视频 and learn more about his writings by clicking .

Discussion on “91短视频 mourns death of Vincent Harding, a Mennonite compatriot of MLK, a friend to all oppressed peoples”

    1. From Vincent Harding I am quoting “How can we be less American” in order to retain the our focus in which really matters… a more Christ Centered Nation… now I am saying “how can we be less (anything)” to become real agents of change in this world starting from our must cherish relationships, family, perhaps…”

      Dr. Harding, go in peace

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