An important figure in the Civil Rights Movement. James Forman (known as James Rufus until age 14) served as executive secretary of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) from 1961 to 1966. SNCC was a younger and more radical civil rights organization compared to the NAACP and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the latter headed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.At times, he was a vocal critic of Dr. King, whom he once described as having "feet of clay." He also felt that what he called the "people's movement" was not best served by having a monolithic leader.However, his differences with King's approach did not stop Forman from participating in many non-violent protests with him.After resigning as executive secretary of SNCC, Forman briefly served as Minister of Defense for the Black Panther Party.Not afraid of controversy, Forman is perhaps best known for what he called the Black Manifesto. In it he demanded that Protestant and Jewish organizations pay $500 million in reparations to blacks for crimes perpetrated against them during slavery. In a dramatic move, Forman interrupted services at the Riverside Church in New York City to press his demands in May of 1969. He would continue to fight for reparations for years to come.
An important figure in the Civil Rights Movement. James Forman (known as James Rufus until age 14) served as executive secretary of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) from 1961 to 1966. SNCC was a younger and more radical civil rights organization compared to the NAACP and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the latter headed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.At times, he was a vocal critic of Dr. King, whom he once described as having "feet of clay." He also felt that what he called the "people's movement" was not best served by having a monolithic leader.However, his differences with King's approach did not stop Forman from participating in many non-violent protests with him.After resigning as executive secretary of SNCC, Forman briefly served as Minister of Defense for the Black Panther Party.Not afraid of controversy, Forman is perhaps best known for what he called the Black Manifesto. In it he demanded that Protestant and Jewish organizations pay $500 million in reparations to blacks for crimes perpetrated against them during slavery. In a dramatic move, Forman interrupted services at the Riverside Church in New York City to press his demands in May of 1969. He would continue to fight for reparations for years to come.
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