Charles McDew
| Charles "Chuck" McDew | |
|---|---|
| 2nd Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee | |
|
In office 1961–1963 |
|
| Preceded by | Marion Barry |
| Succeeded by | John Lewis |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Charles Frederick McDew June 23, 1938 Massillon, Ohio |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | South Carolina State College |
| Occupation | Teacher |
| Known for | Civil Rights Movement |
Charles "Chuck" McDew (born June 23, 1938) is a lifelong activist for racial equality and a former activist of the Civil Rights Movement. After attending South Carolina State University, he became the second chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) from 1961 to 1963. His involvement in the movement has earned McDew the title, “black by birth, a Jew by choice and a revolutionary by necessity” stated by fellow SNCC activist Bob Moses.
Born to the small town of Massillon, Ohio, on June 20, 1938, Charles McDew was considered to be a "race baby." Because of the date being a day that two years earlier, fighter Joe Louis, a black boxer, had won a fight that advanced the outlook of black persons' value. This happening is what made him said "race baby" along with McDew's parents developing the idea that Charles would do something great for the black race one day.
McDew grew up in a family who talked little about the advancement of civil rights. Though there was little talk on that topic, McDew displayed his first example of general protesting when he was only in the eighth grade. Protesting the rights of religious freedom, McDew is seen standing up for his peers by representing Amish religion at a very young age.
As he got older, McDew expected to grow up to work in the steel mills, as many men in that area did. Before he did so, his father requested that McDew go to the South to experience his "own culture" to expand his ideas of what work he could do. Upon arrival at his university of choice, South Carolina State University, Charles thought that his father was "the most brilliant man alive." Never having seen so many "pretty black girls," McDew instantly knew he chose the right college.
During his first Thanksgiving on campus, McDew decided to travel with his roommate, Charles Gatson, back to the area where Gatson had family because it would be cheaper than going back to Ohio and the schools closed during these holidays. During their vacation, the two of them, and some others, went to a party. McDew responsibly decided to be the designated driver, but on their way home, they were pulled over by a police officer. This was presumably for the reason of McDew and Gatson being black. Not knowing how to address an officer in the South different than in the North, McDew answered the officer's questions with a bit too much sass.(I) This is what led to the beating and first arrest of Charles McDew.
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