YOU! HAVE THE POWER | The love story of Medgar and Myrlie Evers

BY DR. ELLEN BROWN

EVERYTHING! That is what love has to do with it. 

MSNBC personality Joy-Ann Reid came to Las Vegas on Feb. 17 for a discussion of her bestseller “Medgar and Myrlie” — a powerful, true love story set against the backdrop of s tumultuous, dangerous time for Black America. 

Reid was the keynote speaker for the 111th Year Founder’s Day of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., hosted at the Sahara Hotel by the Las Vegas Alumnae Chapter (Dr. Rebecca Rogers, President). An honorary Delta, Reid shared gifts of knowledge and power about the work and commitment of Medgar and Myrlie, who helped create a stronger foundation of love at a time when hate threatened to consume America. “The ReidOut” host spoke about focusing a lens of truth on the civil rights legends, whose stories did not begin and end when Medgar was assassinated in 1963 at the age of 37. Even though truths behind this hateful act have emerged over the past 61 years, it can never be enough or forgotten. 

In her book, Reid documents how common it was for whites to kill Blacks and face a system of justice that looked the other way. Unequal economics, assassinations, “separate-but-equal” education, lack of voting rights, unequal economics and more led to Mississippi being labeled as the most terrorized state in the country. An eye-opener in Reid’s book is her commentary on how Blacks always had to “move out” to find justice and safety. 

At the center of it all, though, is a love story. Myrlie wanted to be a housewife and a mother. Her love for her husband, his civil rights work, and safety for their children compelled her to do what women do: get involved to protect her home and family. When Medgar was assassinated, Myrlie realized even more the significance of supporting the movement. A widow with three children at the age of 30 Myrlie could not ignore the wrongs and would not move to another place. 

Not totally sure their agenda lined up with hers — and angry with a system that led to her husband being assassinated and leaving behind a wife and three children — she joined the movement of the NAACP. Myrlie committed herself to the civil rights movement providing for her the common platform needed to affect change to this day. Myrlie continued her love story with Medgar as she learned how to become a civil rights widow. 

Reid masterfully shares how her own love story of justice, freedom and hope works for her. It is centered on a belief that every human being is entitled to first-class citizenship, freedom, and hope. Rev Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his 1963 “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” wrote, “Freedom is never given voluntarily by the oppressor. You must demand it, for it will not be given freely.” 

Dr. Ellen Brown enjoys sharing YOUR stories and writing on topics that encourage, enlighten, and invite discussion that leads to Action. Ellen welcomes your ideas and stories on how you use your Power! Ebrown.nci@gmail.com