The Martin Luther King protege who helped reshape America

The article discusses the impact of Reverend James Bevel, a protégé of Martin Luther King Jr., on the American civil rights movement. Bevel played a crucial role in organizing key events, such as the Children's Crusade in Birmingham, Alabama, and the Selma to Montgomery marches, which were pivotal in the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Bevel's strategic leadership and ability to mobilize large crowds of protesters helped advance the civil rights agenda. He was particularly influential in shifting the movement's focus from desegregation to securing voting rights for African Americans. Bevel's impact extended beyond the streets, as he also advised President Lyndon B. Johnson on civil rights policies, contributing to the administration's efforts to address racial inequality. While Bevel's contributions were overshadowed by the fame of King, his role as a key organizer and strategist in the civil rights movement was instrumental in shaping the course of American history and advancing the fight for racial justice.