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Viola Liuzzo celebrated with new book, new movie and new song [1]
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Date: 2023-05-24
Voting Rights Champion
“We’re going to change the world. One day they’ll write about us. You’ll see.” --Viola Liuzzo
Today there is a growing appreciation and celebration for the life of Viola Liuzzo. Viola Liuzzo was the only known white woman to be killed during the civil rights movement. Answering Martin Luther King Jr.’s call to action. Viola Liuzzo packed a suitcase got in her car alone and drove 1,000 miles to help register Black voters in Selma, Alabama. During transport of a voting activist while driving she was brutally shot and killed by the KKK. The tragic killing of Viola Liuzzo did prompt the federal government to pass the Voting Rights Bill of 1965.
There is a new biography in the works about the life and death of viola Liuzzo to be written by her son—Anthony Liuzzo. Anthony has insights and memories of his mom that have never been disclosed in any publication. We also learned that a Hollywood film company has bought the rights of the biography— From Selma to Sorrow: The Life and Death of Viola Liuzzo written by Mary Stanton. Viola Liuzzo’s story will be told through the eyes of her best friend a black woman named Sara Evans. The movie will be produced by Allen Media Group/ Byron Allen co-produced with his mom-Carolyn Folks. Casting for the movie is underway.
A year ago a dear friend called me on the phone to tell me about an idea he had for a new song about Viola Liuzzo. My friend is named Silent Bear, he is an American Indian folk singer and activist for Leonard Peltier. After extensive research on Viola Liuzzo Silent Bear had the information to paint a sound picture of who this woman was and how she was killed on March 25th 1965. After the first demo Silent Bear sent the recording to Anthony Liuzzo for his approval. Anthony gave the green light. On May 23rd Silent Bear released “Viola Liuzzo” to the public for the first time. It is a heartfelt song that tells an unvarnished version of a day in the life of this very courageous woman.
I and Harry Belafonte had the good fortune of hearing the first recording of the song some five months ago. After hearing the song, Harry Belafonte e-mailed Silent Bear and wrote,
“Dear Silent Bear,
What a beautiful song and wonderful tribute to Viola.” --Harry
The amount of time, care and resources put into making this recording cannot be weighed.
The song can be heard on Youtube @ Silent Bear Viola Liuzzo.
It is my hope Byron Allen will hear this wonderful song and find good use for it in new movie about Viola Liuzzo.
Martin Luther King Jr. gave the eulogy for Viola Liuzzo and after the service he embraced young Anthony Liuzzo and whispered in his ear.
“When you’re older, you’ll understand.”
Anthony Liuzzo has dedicated his life to social justice; yes he understands.
Charles Micheaux
Atlanta*
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