To: Members of First Congregational UCC, Appleton, WI
From: Jim Zwerg
What a wonderful, unexpected, surprise! I was awoken from my afternoon nap by a gentle
knocking on our apartment door. What’s this? A box from First Congo and a coffee mug,
and a bunch of envelopes containing wonderful expressions of gratitude for something that
happened nearly 65 years ago.
While I appreciate your kind words, I have mixed emotions accepting them. I didn’t do
anything thousands of other students were doing without receiving any recognition or
honors. What set me apart was the color of my skin. I am White. Folks couldn’t believe a
White would sit, stand, or march with “Colored”. I was “a disgrace to the White Race”.
I owe so much to Bob Carter, my college freshman roommate of color. I witnessed firsthand
the spoken and unspoken comments and actions he endured on and off campus. Through
it all he remained positive and poised. He never lost his temper. I came to wonder how I
would be treated if I were the one in the minority.
A student exchange program offered me the opportunity to find out. In January 1961, I
arrived at Fisk University in Nashville, TN. Within days, I was introduced to and welcomed
by members of the Student Nonviolent Movement, including John Lewis. I attended
nonviolence workshops, studied scripture passages, and prayed, a lot. I was amazed at the
group’s ability to remain loving and forgiving toward the segregationists.
Ultimately, I embraced nonviolence as my way of life and volunteered to take part in the
demonstrations. Being White I was able to buy food at the lunch counters and tickets at the
movie theaters. We felt it was important that our efforts be integrated. Several White
female students were also actively involved. We were putting our faith into action and
making a difference. It was amazing! What an incredible blessing!
Thank you, First Congregational for helping me at the beginning of my faith journey. My time
in the various choirs, youth groups, scouts and listening to Rev Forbush’s sermons also
provided nurturing. You lay the foundation for any successes I have achieved in life.
Again, thank you and God Bless,
