E.D. Nixon: The Forgotten Hero (short clip) 1983

This film clip, is a short segment from the documentary "E.D. Nixon: The Forgotten Hero" that Tom Lenard developed, produced and directed in 1982. This short ten-minute segment from the thirty-minute version, outlines what happened, and who talked to who, the night Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving up her seat to a white man. Lenard was fortunate enough to be able to meet and interview Rosa Parks, Fred Gray, Joe Azbell, E.D. Nixon, Virgina Durr, and Vernon Jordan for this film.
A comment from Tom Lenard: Once we had the camera setup and ready for the interview with Rosa Parks, I received a call from her at the lodge at the Hylander Center in Tennesse where the interview was to be conducted. I took the call and she said, "Mr. Lenard, I'm ready for the interview." I replied, "We're ready for you as well Ms Parks" she then said, "You'll need to come pick me up because I don't have transportation down to the lodge." She then told me where she was located. She was in fact, at a cabin high up the hill from the lodge. I got in the University van (an old beat up dodge..quickly, moved all our film gear back to the very back of the van to make room for her entourage. Once I arrived at the cabin at the top of the steep hill, I noticed no other vehicles or people standing around. I was very surprised. I Stopped..place the van in park and put the emergency brakes on and proceeded to the door of the cabin. After I knocked on the door, it opened and there she was - Rosa Parks, all alone. I helped her down the steps of the cabin and had to help her get up into the van. As I walked around to the driver's side, I prayed for the emergency break to hold...didn't want the van to begin rolling backwards down the hill with my prized guest onboard. So, on the drive back to the lodge..it was just Rosa Parks and Tom Lenard...Have no recollection on what we talked about yet, I do remember she was as wonderful and nice as I had always heard over the years. To Me though, I was simply shooting a documentary and gathering elements to support events around her knowledge of E.D. Nixon. At the time, I really didn't realize the absolute importance of the events that day. Looking back, I'm truly amazed I was able to meet and interview her on camera.

NOTE OF INTEREST:
The complete "E.D. Nixon: The Forgotten Hero" documentary Click here: http://www.montgomeryboycott.com/video_ednixondoc.htm

Additional film clips can be found in the biography section on E.D. Nixon and can be viewed at this web site on the Montgomery Bus Boycott:
http://www.montgomeryboycott.com/bio_ednixon.htm (includes several film clips from the documentary: "E.D. Nixon: The Forgotten Hero")

Tom Lenard plans also to provide the entire documentary soon online here at youtube.com and at stage6.com.

Filmmaker: Tom C. Lenard
(Producer, Director/DP/Editor)
copyright, 1982 All Rights Reserved

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Civil
• Rights
• Movement
• Bus
• Boycott
• Fred
• Gray
• E.D.
• Nixon
• Rosa
• Parks
• Tom
• Lenard
• Vernon
• Jordan
• Barrack
• Obama
• President

[lahleet]

Indeed, I would like to thank you for this video. If Rosa Parks is the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement," Ed Nixon is the "Father." Thanks for giving us all the opportunity to understand the movers behind the Montgomery Bus Boycott. What a great contribution?

God Bless,

Ramona L. Hyman

[Filmmakertom]

Many thanks for such a positive feedback comment....Tom

[iiTzD4LT0N]

i wish she didn't die

[tripnixon]

"18 people" on the list... wow, this is a great post. Pullman Porter's and all... thank you!

[lahleet]

And may you continue to serve as a social/pollitical blessing to others.

[neworleanz13]

i love rosa parks! its so sad that she died