Rodney Hurst---LaVilla's Living Legacy---LaVilla School of the Arts

Rodney Hurst

A Fighter From Childhood

On November 15th, 2005 LaVilla Journalism students had the privilege of meeting five people who lived through the Civil Rights Movement. Each person made a difference in our society and is still trying to make a difference. We were given insight into what it was like back when our community was still segregated. We also learned how demonstrations and committees changed our community from being segregated to integrated.

Everyone knows about the Civil Rights Movement. Everyone knows the brave African Americans fought for their rights. But, not everybody knows about Rodney Hurst.

Rodney Hurst was a black Americans who boycotted, marched, and protested. When he was eleven years old, young Rodney Hurst made the decision to join the NAACP.

Rodney Hurst was inspired by Rutledge Pearson. Pearson, his 8th grade American History teacher who also happened to be the Jacksonville Youth Council advisor and NAACP state president, Rutledge encouraged to join the NAACP and participate in the movement.

Hurst was 16 when the Ax Handle Riot took place in Jacksonville. Forty-four young people from the ages 16 - 21 where attacked by 150 angry white men. The white segregationists carried axes and bats after a "sit in" at Grants Department Store in downtown Jacksonville. "The Ax Handle incident was the result of a tremendous lack of communication,” said Rodney Hurst. That day would be later known as Ax Handle Saturday.

Later that year, Hurst enrolled in at Edward Waters College (EWC). However, he continued to participate in demonstrations. He later became the first African American to co-host a television talk show in Jacksonville. He was also the first African-American male to be hired by the Prudential Insurance South Central Home Office. The list of his accomplishments goes on.

Rodney Hurst was a courageous man who fought for what he believed in. He was a hero in the Civil Rights Movement. He inspired us to stand up and voice our opinions. He is a model citizen for all young people in Jacksonville. Hurst went through so many things just to have the right to be treated equal. And thanks to him and all the other brave people who participated in the civil rights movement, our country is a better place to live.

by Susy Garcia and Caitee Hawker, 8th grade