James Orange facts for kids

James Edward Orange (born October 29, 1942 – died February 16, 2008) was a very important leader in the Civil Rights Movement in America. He worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. and helped organize many key events. James Orange was known for his strong belief in non-violence and for inspiring young people to join the fight for equality.

Early Life and Beliefs

James Edward Orange was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He later moved to Atlanta, Georgia in the early 1960s. He was a very tall and strong man, standing over 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing over 300 pounds. Despite his size, he was deeply committed to using peaceful methods, not violence.

Orange believed strongly in non-violence. He even let himself be beaten nine times without fighting back when he tried to teach gang members in Chicago about peaceful ways. He was also known for his powerful singing voice and for giving inspiring speeches.

James Orange came from a large family. Many of his family members were also involved in the Civil Rights Movement. He was the third of seven children. He once said that he was scared to tell his mother that his younger sisters were in jail for protesting. But he knew it was part of their peaceful fight against unfairness.

Joining the Civil Rights Movement

In 1963, James Orange was working as a chef in Birmingham. He wasn't very involved in the Civil Rights Movement at first. But then, a friend invited him to a speech. He went to a weekly meeting at the 16th Street Baptist Church. There, he heard Ralph Abernathy speak about equality.

Orange was deeply moved by Abernathy's words. He later said, "The longer I listened, the more intently I listened, I became absorbed in his message." That same night, he volunteered to protest at a local store the next day. He was arrested, which was the first of more than 100 times he would be arrested for peaceful protests.

Working with SCLC

Orange quickly became a key member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). This group included famous leaders like Martin Luther King Jr.. James Orange was great at bringing people together, especially young people. He always called everyone he worked with "leaders." He believed this helped them feel important and motivated to make the world a better place.

Martin Luther King Jr. gave James Orange the nickname "Shackdaddy." This was because Orange "shacked" (or connected) communities together. He inspired people to take action and work together for change.

The SCLC often traveled to different cities to spread their message of non-violence. Orange would try to convince violent gangs to choose peaceful ways instead. Once, he even broke his nose trying to stop a fight by preaching about peace. He also sang freedom songs with other SCLC members to inspire people. Besides protesting, Orange worked hard to encourage African Americans to register to vote. He wanted them to be more active in politics.

Key Moments in the Movement

In 1965, James Orange was arrested and jailed in Alabama. He was accused of encouraging young people to join voter registration drives and sing freedom songs. His arrest led to a protest march in Perry County, Alabama.

During this march on February 18, 1965, a young man named Jimmie Lee Jackson was shot and killed by a state trooper. The anger over Jackson's death, while Orange was in jail, led to the famous Selma to Montgomery marches. These marches included the terrible police violence on "Bloody Sunday". These events helped lead to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which made it easier for all citizens to vote.

In 1968, Orange was part of the Poor People's Campaign. This was a protest where thousands of homeless people camped near the White House. Later that year, James Orange was standing near Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Hotel. Moments later, King was tragically assassinated.

Later Work and Legacy

After the main Civil Rights era, James Orange continued his work for justice. He was a project coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference until 1970. Then, he became a regional coordinator for the AFL-CIO, a large group of labor unions, in Atlanta, Georgia. In this role, he helped workers in many different industries.

He helped workers at J.P. Stevens textile factories win better pay and benefits. He also worked on many other campaigns to help people get fair treatment in their jobs.

From 1995, James Orange led the Martin Luther King Jr. March Committee. This group organized events to honor King and worked to build connections between Atlanta and South Africa. He remained active in fighting for civil rights and social justice until his death.

In 2004, Orange protested when President George W. Bush's visit threatened to cut short King's birthday celebrations in Atlanta. Orange felt it was disrespectful to interrupt such an important event. He said, "I feel disrespected by the administration and the Secret Service."

Even when he was very sick, James Orange kept working. A friend said that he was "still conducting" the Martin Luther King celebration from his hospital bed in 2008. He was always thinking about how to fight racial injustice.

Death

James Orange passed away on February 16, 2008, at the age of 65. He was recovering from gallbladder surgery in an Atlanta hospital. He had also had heart surgery several years before. Even on his deathbed, he was talking to friends about more work they needed to do for the community.

He was survived by his wife of 39 years, Cleophas, and three daughters and a son. His youngest daughter, Pamela Aquica Orange, had passed away the year before.

In Popular Culture

James Orange's story was told in the 2014 movie Selma. In the film, he was played by actor Omar Dorsey.

See also

• Jimmie Lee Jackson
• Southern Christian Leadership Conference