Length: 76 minutes
Interview with Reverend Michael Pfleger by Jesse Betend.
In his interview with Jesse Betend, Reverend Michael Pfleger discusses his life leading up to his involvement with the Civil Rights Movement in 1968. He recalls how his childhood and early experiences affected his later work, his religious yet very progressively outspoken family and attending a highly diverse high school (Quigley Preparatory Seminary South). He recalls his first exposures to racism and segregation through family friends, classmates, and work with Native American and Black communities. He describes the violence perpetrated by his own community during a speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1966, who became a highly influential figure in his life, including in his decision to join the priesthood. He discusses his studies in college and his early days working and living at Precious Blood Parish, which led to his involvement with the Black Panthers, who met at the parish youth center. From there, he met activists Larry Johnson, Fred Hampton, and Mark Clark and he volunteered with the organization regularly. He discusses how civil rights activism was the driving force behind his motivation to join the priesthood, the “DNA” of his faith. He recalls his involvement with the anti-Vietnam war protests, the police violence at DNC protests in 1968, and his continuing faith that individuals can be agents of change
