One year before historic March on Washington, athlete told he couldn't play because of reaction from other schools
WASHINGTON -- One year before Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech -- 50 years ago Wednesday -- Ken Carter was making his own history - as one of four students to integrate Loyola University's undergraduate program.
It was not a good experience, Carter said Wednesday as he prepared to watch the nation's first African-American president mark the anniversary of King's March on Washington in a speech at the Lincoln Memorial.
Carter, who played basketball at Xavier Prep in New Orleans, had tried out for Loyola's team. He was more than good enough to be part of the freshman squad, the coach said. But Carter was told he couldn't play.
"He said we played too many southern schools that wouldn't play us if we had any black players," Carter said. "If I played, we wouldn't be able to field a team because so many of the colleges we were supposed to play wouldn't play us."
The news he couldn't play was like getting a kick in the stomach. Carter remained at Loyola that freshman year. But by the time of the march, Carter, who went on to become Louisiana's first black assessor, a successful lawyer and a major force in local Democratic politics, was out of school, working as a mechanic.
At Loyola, Carter said he had a few white friends, who were supportive and reached out to him, but most, though not exhibiting the outright hostility shown others who integrated previously all-white schools, were aloof. That combined with being unable to play on the basketball team led his decision to give up his scholarship. He was physics major.
By the time of the march, Carter said he was not in a good place emotionally. "There was no one to advise me, to tell me what to do next," he said.
It would take him a decade to return to college -- University of New Orleans -- and ultimately back to Loyola for law school, which he began before getting his undergraduate degree from UNO.
There's a complicated explanation, but it comes down to his belief that he couldn't wait another four or five years to get a law degree because he and his wife, had two young children to support. That combined with good grades, a determination to take advantage of a very limited program that allowed for early access to law school, paved the way for his long and successful legal career.
On Tuesday night, Carter, his wife Gwen, and daughter, Karen Carter Peterson, a Louisiana state senator and chair of the state Democratic Party, were at the White House, attending a reception hosted by President Barack Obama to make the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.
Today, Carter is watching as three presidents -- Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Obama -- give speeches to mark he anniversary. "It's special to be here," Carter said.
His daughter, Karen, said she wanted to share the event with her parents and husband, Dana. "We've come a long way," she said. "But we still have many challenges."
Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, said the 1963 march "marked a pivotal period in our nation's history."
"The march took direct aim at discrimination and segregation, calling for civil and economic rights," Richmond said. "It was the clarion call for human rights. We now gather in our nation's capitol to trace those historic steps to honor the march that sparked a movement, and the movement which led to a revolution."
"As pioneers in the movement reflect on how the march impacted their lives, it is imperative that we remember how far we have yet to go in affirming Dr. King's Historic "I have a dream" speech. We must ensure that those who gathered on August 28,, 1963 did not march in vain. We have come a long way in the fight against inequality based on gender, race and sexual orientation, but we have an obligation to carry the torch for civil rights even further.
"This was a march that called for racial as well as economic equality through comprehensive policy reform. Health disparities, voting rights, criminal justice inequities, access to quality education, urban violence, poverty, unemployment and homelessness are among many outstanding issues that confirm we still have work to do. Just as the young and old, rich and poor, black and white marched on that day, we must again find the tenacity and courage to take up their cause. Today, let us celebrate and honor this historic occasion by renewing our commitment to continue the fight."
Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., who was seven in August, 1963, said it was a day when "thousands of people stood up and took action for what was right--despite the immense challenges."
"Leading that effort and standing atop the reflecting pool on the National Mall, Dr. King gave the more than 200,000 people there--and our entire nation--the faith and courage they needed to work peacefully toward greater justice, equality and freedom. The March helped expose the injustices many people of color in our country faced and built support for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. "
"While our country is better today than it was then, our work is still not done. We must continue to work toward ending racism and discrimination in our country and against the economic injustices of disproportionally high unemployment and poverty in minority communities. And we must ensure that every legally authorized citizen can freely exercise their right to vote. Sadly, last year's election showed all too well that this remains a stubborn challenge for our country to overcome."
"We are called today to not just remember the March on Washington, but to join it. We must march on and continue Dr. King's work so that his dream--that all Americans are judged by the content of their character, not by the color of their skin--and that the founding principles of this country--that all are created equal--becomes a reality."
Said Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge:
"Fifty years ago today, Dr. King expressed the hope that Americans would one day 'not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.' Let us continue to strive for this ideal."