Comments on: Park School celebrates legacy of racial harmony and integration in an era of ‘massive resistance’

By: Anita Runion de Ovalle

Anita Runion de Ovalle — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 23:19:16 +0000

I did my student teaching at Park School.

By: Karl Bruns-Kyler

Karl Bruns-Kyler — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 20:55:31 +0000

I knew nothing of this history, except that Charlie was one of my favorite classmates. I got to know him during mini-term in Philadelphia at EMHS. Charlie attended the miniterm even though his father had passed the week before. I can say that his presence at school made it a much richer experience.

By: Marlise Horst

Marlise Horst — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 20:53:46 +0000

I, too, am struck by the courage of the parents in taking such a big step with their whole family. And I am so glad that the Park View community proved to be as supportive as it was. I don’t think I realized at the time what a big step Sam and Lucille had taken. I also recall that we watched a lot of TV at their house!

By: Irvin (Irv) Heishman

Irvin (Irv) Heishman — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 03:30:43 +0000

I deeply regret not being able to be at this celebration. I grew up next door to the Ewells on South College Avenue and I also remember playing with Charlie. As a child I had no idea that there was anything unusual or historic about this. I was totally unaware of the conflicted, oppressive world around me. We were just kids having fun together. Reflecting back, I have seen how this naive childhood space of fun learning/playing together as children opened my mind to healthier possibilities than might otherwise have been the case. These wonderful neighbors helped start me off on a path of enrichment which has propelled me into a life-giving adventure of expanding inter-cultural and international relationships and passion for ministry in overcoming racism and oppression. It’s humbling to look back and try to appreciate how much courage and vision it must have taken for the Ewell family, in a time of such intense racial animosity, to take the risk of inviting us to join them as neighbors in a new kind of community. I am grateful to them for the the positive impact their invitation has had on my life.

By: Daniel (Danny ) Horst

Daniel (Danny ) Horst — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 06:45:39 +0000

Would love to be there for this celebration. My sisters and I all went to Park School in the early sixties. We lived across from the Ewells on South College Avenue, Charlie (Charles) was one of my best friends until our family moved to the Netherlands in 1967.

By: Jan Landes

Jan Landes — Tue, 29 Aug 2017 15:37:17 +0000

I am so grateful to Jon Scott Bender for standing up for what is right in welcoming the Ewell children to Park School. May we work for racial justice today and add to his legacy.

By: Alton Longenecker

Alton Longenecker — Tue, 29 Aug 2017 12:35:45 +0000

This is an amazing story. I went to Park School in 1951-52 school year and it was where I discovered the joy of reading thanks to Elsie Lehman my teacher in 3rd grade. This story awakens many memories of what it was like to live in Park View in the early 50s. Although I am not able to attend the reunion this year I am interested in learning more about this story of the Ewell family coming to Park View.