Truth, Justice, and Healing Conference

Local students and community organizers and leaders came together in 2005 to commemorate the tragic events of Nov. 3. Thus, “Truth, Justice and Healing Conference” was born.
Every year, since 2005, during the week of Nov. 3 New Light Missionary Baptist Church hosts the week long events. The week is primarily sponsored by different organizations such as the Beloved Community Center of Greensboro, Greensboro Justice Fund, Greensboro Human Relations Commission, just to name a few.
On November 3, 1979 five people were fatally shot before a “Death to the Klan” march in Greensboro, NC at a public housing complex.
A group of Ku Klux Klan members and a group of Neo-nazis came to disrupt the march and confront the marchers. When the two groups arrived protesters beat on their cars which eventually lead to a riot. By the end of the riot five people had been killed and 10 fatally wounded.
Among the five people killed were Sandra Neely Smith, Bill Sampson, Jim Waller, Michael Nathan and Cesar Cauce. All were anti-clan demonstrators. The clansmen and the Neo-nazi groups were both later acquitted of all charges, by an all white jury, twice even though the violence was captured on video.
As a result, racial controversy affected politics and race relations in the city up to this present day.
The events began on Wednesday with a video presentation, a storytelling circle, “Healing Movement and dance.”
Thursday included the keynote speaker, workshop sessions and a musical tribute to those killed.
Friday was the black/brown discussion. This was the forum where the community came together to discuss the issues affecting people of color. The question was asked: What is preventing black/brown unity?
Signe Waller Foxworth, widow of Jim Waller, responded by saying, “nothing is preventing black/brown unity.”
“Unity can be achieved through communication and understanding,” says Foxworth.
Other members of the panel said it was vial for the unity so people of color can fight the justice system. The overall message was for minorities to continue to fight, build a movement, and continue the legacy of previous leaders.
Professor Sarah Carrig, professor at North Carolina A&T State University, said as a Spanish teacher sending her students to the discussion would give them some insight on the struggles the Latino community deals with on a daily basis. “It is time for change and for people to stop fighting each other and to come together for a bigger cause.”