Thanksgiving is a time of – well, giving thanks, and this week the International Civil Rights Center & Museum in downtown Greensboro is using the opportunity to express thanks to supporters as well as to express a positive vision of the institution’s future.
The museum is also holding a special Thanksgiving program on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 3 p.m. called “A Civil-Rights Thanksgiving— American Constitutional Resurrection (and the Unrepentant Redeemed).” According to promotional literature for the event, it will help people “more fully understand who we are and why we might be able to enjoy a grateful day of reflections.”
In an open letter to the public, John Swaine, the museum’s CEO stated, “As we begin the process of closing out the 2019 year, we feel a deep sense of gratitude for the many opportunities that we have experienced this year. Most of all, looking back over the past decade of operations, there are so many things to be thankful for that it would be nearly impossible to name them all, but our appreciation inspires us to extend words of special thanks to those who have contributed to our sense of good fortune.”
Swaine stated that he, personally, wanted to let people know his feelings of “indebtedness” to those who over the years have shown “dedication, support, and passion for the work of the International Civil Rights Center & Museum.”
He added that he hoped to see “continued enthusiasm and commitment to reinforce the increasingly well-recognized contributions our institution makes to our community and to the world.”
Swaine stated in the letter that he and his coworkers are honored to work in a place that’s so well recognized as an emblem of humanitarian hope.
Swaine also encouraged more people to come to programs in the future and discussions to help promote unity and work through disagreements that divide society locally and nationally.
He added, “I ask that you commit to using this time of a grateful pause — literally for thanks-giving — to reflect on how we might continue to seek common ground, on behalf of higher principle, to build a stronger community that binds us in all our diversities in thoughtful endeavors on behalf of the greater good of everyone.”
