Charles Euchner, the author of Nobody Turn Me Around: A People's History of the 1963 March on Washington (Beacon Press, 2010), is available to speak at your school, association, or event.
Euchner has spoken widely to a wide range of groups on topics ranging from civil rights to urban planning, the politics of sports to presidential politics.
In addition to speaking before groups, Euchner has appeared on television and radio programs such as "Nightline," "Talk of the Nation," "Morning Edition," "The Diane Rehm Show," "SportsCenter," "Only a Game," and many more.
TOPICS ON THE MARCH AND CIVIL RIGHTSCharles Euchner has spoken widely on civil rights, political activism, and politics and public policy. Contact him for availability and topics. He is prepared to give dynamic keynote address now on the following topics:
Heroism of the Civil Rights Movement: The success of the civil rights movement depended on three powers -- body, mind, and soul. The March on Washington was made a success by the three leading figures in the movement, who represented those values. A. Philip Randolph, the leading figure in black labor organizing, represented body -- the need to mobilize the masses in the streets to demand their rights. Bayard Rustin, the march organizer, represented mind -- the need to use intelligent strategies like nonviolence to wrest rights in a brutal segregated system. Martin Luther King, the leader of the movement from Montgomery to the Poor People's Movement, represented soul -- the need to speak honesty about the terrors of activism and to face them with faith in redemption.
From Protest to Politics: Bayard Rustin, the organizer of the March on Washington, argued that the march marked the end of the protest phase of the civil rights movement. After passage of landmark legislation in 1964 and 1965, blacks turned to the more mundane process of political bargaining with other interest groups for programs and benefits. Since then, the U.S. has experienced a revolution in social-service capacity. But with the explosion of government comes massive bureaucracy, with its duplication, contradiction, and complexity. An so the time has come to shift public policy once again. In this talk, Euchner charts how the universal values of the civil rights movement can help to transform government, ushering in a new age of creativity, efficiency, and equality.
Secrets of Organizing: Two opposing theories debate the question. The Great Man Theory holds that real change happens when a leader emerges to voice new visions and rally and lead the masses. The Bottom-Up Theory holds that ordinary people, arising from the grassroots, spontaneously rise up to confront bigotry, dictators, or public indifference. Activists do not sign up, usually, for a cause as abstract as “freedom” or even “civil rights.” They join because they know someone in a group. Once they join the organization, they are not asked to make a total commitment. They can come and go as they wish. But activism requires a third element—“path direction.” As psychologists have found, people need clear direction about what actions at every stage of a process.
MEDIA APPEARANCES
In addition to speaking before groups, Euchner has appeared on television and radio programs such as "Nightline," "All Things Considered," "Talk of the Nation," "Morning Edition," "The Diane Rehm Show," "The Group," "SportsCenter," "Cold Pizza," and many other programs.
SPEAKING TESTIMONIALS
Here's how audience members have reacted to Euchner's recent appearances:
"Challenged me to think outside the box."
"Rather than just a counterpoint [in a debate], Mr. Euchner presented a whole new dimension and approach to creating better communities."
"Loved the story telling."
"You were able to keep us interested in your topic for this length of time -- that was amazing. You are so enthusiastic about what you teach, and that's inspiring.
"This presentation was so relevant! I have so much information to take back to my colleagues and students. Thanks!"
| SPEAKING ON CIVIL RIGHTS |
"Rarely have I seen someone engage an audience of 13-year-olds in the way Charlie Euchner did at Hamden Hall. His passion for his subject and for the craft of writing came through in each dynamic and carefully painted vignette.  When he retraced the horrifying journey of Jimmy Pruitt, the young marcher who dared to carry his own handmade sign, the seventh graders were given an opportunity to move way beyond the traditional narrative of the civil rights movement. Mr. Euchner gave them an opportunity to develop true empathy, and by leading them in a rousing version of 'Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around,' he provided a visceral experience that made them feel the power of the movement. His visit will not soon be forgotten."—Brian Christman, Hamden Hall Country Day School |
"Time seemed to fly by. I did not want his session to end! He’s real and he’s fair and balanced. He made TOTAL SENSE. Super outstanding!"
A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS
Over his career as a journalist, professor, planner, and researcher, Euchner has spoken at a wide range of public forums –- including academic conferences, workshops for policy makers, professional associations, and community groups. In addition, he has appeared frequently on television and radio broadcasts, including “Nightline,” “Morning Edition,” "Only a Game," and “Talk of the Nation."
Conference and other speaking appearances have included:
American Planning Association:
In a review of the City of Boston's comprehensive initiative, which he
coordinated from 1997 to 2000, Euchner argued on behalf of a
"consilience" approach to planning. Consilience refers to a "jumping
together" of knowledge after a long process of consideration of facts
and considerations from different realms of community life.
Atlanta Regional Conference:
Speaking at an annual training session convened at St. Simon’s Island,
Georgia, Euchner argued that the “smart growth” movement offered little
potential for addressing the concerns that most matter to residents of
either urban or suburban areas. Euchner suggested dropping the rhetoric
of smart growth and instead adopt strategies to address issues with a
greater salience -- like crime, education, economic development,
government efficiency. Such a strategy, he suggested, would have a
greater potential for success than the abstract and finger-wagging
rhetoric of the smart-growth movement. At an earlier gathering in Boston, Euchner explained how Boston's experience might inform Atlanta's regional planners.
Boston Charter Day:
The lead organizer of the first-ever celebration of Boston's
anniversary, Euchner moderated the 2003 panel discussion on the
contribution of Boston to the national conservation movement.
Boston Society of Architects: A regular participant
in a yearlong "How We Live: A Civic Initiative for a Livable New
England," from 2000 to 2004, Euchner helped organize two events at the
John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Build Boston: Euchner has participated in three annual panel discussion entitled "Tough Talk About Smart Growth" at Boston's World Trade Center.
Freedom Forum: In a keynote address
on media coverage of the politics of sports stadiums, Euchner
challenged reporters to be more aggressive and creative in their work.
Governor's CEO Summit for Greater Boston:
At the invitation of the administration of Governor Mitt Romney
moderated a summit of corporate executives. The summit included
participation from Governor Romney and leading Cabinet officials on
economic development.
Loudoun County Authors Series: Euchner spoke about his two books on baseball, The Last Nine Innings and Little League, Big Dreams, at the author series at the Loudoun County Public Library in Virginia in September 2006. The work of photographer Isabel Chenoweth, who covered the Little League World Series for the latter book, was on display at the library for two months.
Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth: In a public forum on the economic and community impacts of minor-league baseball, Euchner argued that cities hosting teams often pay too much to get any economic benefits. Independent leagues offer a greater chance to benefit, since their teams are not subject to the expensive stadium standards of major-league parent organizations. But even when stadiums come at no price to the locality, the benefits of teams are negligible.
Pioneer Institute for Public Policy: At the public forum to
release a major report on housing regulations in Massachusettts,
Euchner provided an overview of the report he authored for the Rappaport
Institute for Greater Boston and participated in the panel discussion.
Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston:
As executive director of the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston at
Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, Euchner
moderated a number of conferences and panel discussions on topics,
including educational reform, housing regulations, transportation
policy, regional planning, urban parks, and public-sector management.
Notable conferences included "The 'D' Word," "The Varieties of Regionalism," and "Uncommon Ground."
Regional Planning Association: Euchner spoke on a proposal for a new football stadium for the New York Jets on the West Side of Manhattan. The conference was a galvanizing event in the campaign against the stadium proposed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Weiner Center for Public Policy: At the biennial gathering of the Urban Seminar on Children's Health and
Safety, coordinated by Harvard Professor William Julius Wilson, Euchner outlined seven simple rules for making social change in poverty and other policy areas.
