Ben Green (1) (1951–)

Although reserved and studious, Harry T. Moore led a life devoted to activism in the name of social and political justice. Harry T. Moore and his wife Harriet Vyda Sims were both teachers who taught in segregated schools in Florida. Harry T. Moore fought for equal pay for Black teachers. Moore traveled around the state to organized Black teachers to demand equal pay and better working conditions. After Moore was fired for his activism on behalf of teachers, he joined the NAACP and became the first executive director of the Florida NAACP. Moore continued to travel around the state, organizing new NAACP chapters. Moore was also involved in political activism. The Democratic Party in Florida held closed primaries, which excluled Black voters. In response, Moore organized the Progressive Voters' League. Through the PVL, Over a six year period Moore registered over 100,000 Black voters. The author, Ben Green, does an excellent job of providing details about Moore's life and his assassination on December 25, 1951. Green's analysis of the conflict that arose between Moore and the NAACP over Moore's political activism is also explored and adds another dimension to the story of the challenges Moore faced. But occasionally Green offers speculation about events and attempts to expand the narrative with a sort of "you are there" descriptions that detract from the story of Harry T. Moore, the first modern civil rights leader to be assassinated.… (plus d'informations)