Special video conference with Dr. Clarence Benjamin Jones: Featuring Questions from Asbury Park High School and the Solid Rock Foundation School in Ghana

Just recently Dr. Clarence Benjamin Jones, personal counsel, draft speech writer, and friend to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. took time out from his busy schedule to join a video conference which involved, Mr. David Wronko and his Asbury Park High School students, Sarayia Gadson and Ceahni Piper, and Papa and his students from the Solid Rock Foundation School in Ghana.

Dr. Clarence Benjamin Jones Reflects on His Work With Dr. King

During this conference Dr. Clarence Benjamin Jones spoke about his time working with Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement and the challenges they faced in the south during the 1960s.

He mentioned:

• How history in this country should not be ignored or forgotten
• The harmful treatment of African Americans during slavery
• The racism African Americans had to overcome in the south after the Civil War

Dr. Jones stressed the importance of the 1619 project being studied in schools which showed:

• How African Americans were enslaved
• How they overcame being enslaved
• How their strong march during the Civil Rights Movement established the momentum for equal rights in the United States

Conversations on Malcolm X, Harry Belafonte, and Civil Rights Legislation
When the conference went on, Dr. Jones also mentioned how he knew Malcolm X and Harry Belafonte, explained how Lyndon B. Johnson succeeded in getting Civil Rights Legislation through congress, and answered many different questions.

Questions From Ghana Students

The questions from Papa and the students from the Solid Rock Foundation School in Ghana asked:

• What was Dr. Jones’ take on the current racial environment in the U.S. vs when King was alive?
• What were Dr. Jones’ ideas about how to ease race relations today?

Questions From Asbury Park High School Students

Mr. Wronko and his students, Sarayia Gadson and Ceahni Piper asked:

• If you could go back in time, what would be one thing that you would do different?
• How did you meet Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and did you think it was possible for him to run for President of the United States?
• What were your accomplishments with Dr. King that you were most proud of?

Closing Thanks and Acknowledgments

After answering numerous questions, Mr. David Wronko thanked Dr. Clarence Benjamin Jones for joining in on this video conference and hopefully they would be able to do another in the near future.

PS: I just want to thank Chrissy Hayes-Schneider and co-teacher Alfreda Clancy for their assistance during this event.

Also, Sarayia Gadson and Ceahni Piper for continuing their Action Civics Study which started under Jason Fitzgerald.

Check out for a full biography of Dr. Clarence Benjamin Jones on Jersey Voices Magazine.

Related Links

Check out:

Bernice King Speaks at Black History Month Extravaganza In NJ (unheardvoicesmag.com)

Black History Committee Presentations Along With Ghana Sessions – Unheard Voices Magazine