Textbook Protest Truth Program
On Friday, October 7, 2011 125-135 people gathered at the LaBelle Theatre in South Charleston, WV for a program and presentation of the 2011 Dr. Robert Dreyfus Courageous Christian Leadership Award. The prestigious award was presented to Alice Moore on behalf of the thousands of the 1974 West Virginia Textbook Protesters who helped birth the Christian Right Movement.
During this once-in-a-lifetime event the audience heard in person Alice Moore, Ezra Graley, Avis Hill, Marvin Horan, Charles Quigley and Henry Thaxton. Also speaking was coal miner David Lucus, Shawn Davis (who as a student pulled out of public school in 1974), along with Carol Graley and Phyllis Harmon-Higginbotham (leaders of the protesting mothers).
Betty Jarvis made a surprise appearance and apologized to Alice Moore for Betty’s misconceptions held in 1974. Ms. Jarvis was a teacher who served on the screening committee that previewed the books that were protested.
Other protesters who were recognized were Gene Stalnaker, Bill Graley, Clarence Shaffer, Randy Adkins, Laura Parsons,, and the Phillips family.
A moment of silence was observed for the Donald Means, Elmer Fike, Lewis Harrah, Darrel Beach and other protesters that have went on to their eternal reward.
There was video and audio from 1974 as well as live music performed by Avis Hill and his daughter, Paula. A special clip from Indoctrination was shown by the producer of that movie.
Afterwards everyone enjoyed a time of fellowship during a reception for these courageous Christians.
The free event was sponsored by Exodus Mandate West Virginia and The Exodus Mandate Project.
The West Virginia Archives and history Department filmed the program. Also, Exodus Mandate had the program videotaped for production of a documentary.
The goal of the program was to provide more proof (along with Protester Voices—The 1974 Textbook Tea Party) that the protesters were not the dummies or demons as some would have them portrayed.
Finally, the baton was passed on to the next generation to carry on what the protesting pioneers started in 1974.
Note:
Both Charleston papers refused to cover this program even though the Textbook War is easily one of the top five events in West Virginia history and a major historical occurrence in America. A short time later each paper had no problem releasing an inflammatory Associated Press story about the Textbook War public school curriculum.
The Washington Times ran a major article
under the headline “Culture-war heroine gets her due".
The article was also published on Townhall.
A Powerpoint presentation has been prepared to portray the truth about the 1974 textbook protesters to parry the pompous people who have poured propaganda into the public’s perception. See Textbook Protester Truth.
VIDEO OF THE PROGRAM
TEXTBOOK WAR MAIN PAGE
