Story #37: Bob Moses on the Fight for Rights

If we could first know where we are, and whether we are tending, we could better judge what to do, and how to do it.” - Bob Moses

On October 24th, 2014, Bob Moses, a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement and architect of the Freedom Summer voter-registration drive, returned to Harvard to receive the 8th Coles “Call of Service” Award at Harvard Memorial Church. This award ceremony marked the kickoff of the Phillips Brooks House Association’s 110th anniversary celebration. During the event, former Cambridge Mayor Kenneth Reeves shared a personal story illustrating Moses' courage in the face of violence, emphasizing his relentless commitment to empowering Black citizens to register to vote. In his acceptance speech, Moses reflected on Abraham Lincoln's "House Divided" speech, questioning the meaning of "we" in the context of American citizenship and urging future leaders to fight for constitutional rights, including quality education and the right to vote. He inspired the audience to actively participate in the democratic process, stating, “There is nothing stopping us from inducting ourselves into the ‘We the People’ class.” 

Read more about Bob Moses's meaningful message to action in the Harvard Gazette’s recap here.