Lonnie Wiig Presents: “Sharing Memories of Segregation & Dr. King’s Dream”
“Do you have memories of Segregation that you would like to talk about?” Lonnie Wiig invites fellow Seniors who remember living through the tumultuous 1960s to join him for an interactive exchange of memories. Lonnie is a licensed teacher of foreign languages (Spanish, Japanese, French and English as a Second Language) who grew up in Hawaii. As an undergrad at the University of California – Berkeley during the early 1960s, Lonnie became interested in the Civil Rights movement. With his roommate, Bill Roeske (now a professor of medicine at the University of Arizona), the two young men applied to attend the 1962 Summer Session at the Louisiana State University and were accepted. They bought a used Ford and drove from Berkeley to Baton Rouge. Every weekend they would drive from LSU to different parts of the Deep South. (In the photo, you can see them on a rural highway in Arkansas, near Toad Suck Ferry).
Lonnie enjoys sharing with audiences about interesting experiences that Bill and he had that summer. His presentations include a PowerPoint and/or large photos – and opportunities for his audiences to ask questions and share their own thoughts and experiences.In 1963, Lonnie decided to drop out of the University of California where he was majoring in Economics and Business Administration. He transferred to Howard University, an African American school in Washington, DC, arriving at Howard just in time for the August 1963 “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.” Lonnie actually heard Dr. King deliver his “I Have a Dream” speech in person. Lonnie says: “Dr. King’s was the best speech I have ever heard in my life. I doubt that I will ever hear a better speech.” In 1964, Lonnie graduated from Howard University with a major in History — specializing in American History (including what was then called “Negro History”) and African History. He went on to study the Swahili language and to serve in the United States Peace Corps in Kenya, East Africa. He returned to Hawaii and started a foreign language teaching career that took him from Hawaii to a ten-year stint in Japan. (In Japan, Lonnie was also a graduate student and received an M.A. in Asian Studies from Hiroshima University – concentrating on the history of World War II in China.) In 1990, he moved to Oregon and has worked here as a teacher, most recently as a teaching assistant, and for six years as a Spanish-speaking paralegal / assistant for Oregon immigration attorneys.
A member of Toastmasters for Speaking Professionals, Lonnie has given numerous presentations at Washington County elementary and middle schools titled: “Kids Discuss 1960s Racial Segregation & Dr. King’s Dream.” He now is looking forward to leading discussions with Elder audiences who actually remember the years of segregation. This is a discussion tool that Lonnie created to help explain to young audiences the various types of segregation that used to be part and parcel of life in the American South. Do YOU recall personal experiences with any of these?
Invite Lonnie Wiig to bring his unique presentation to your facility or event! Some of your residents might really appreciate the opportunity to SHARE THEIR OWN MEMORIES in a comfortable, non-threatening group setting. Although he is based in Hillsboro, he is available to travel widely in Oregon and Washington!
Contact: Lonnie Wiig
Please initiate contact with Lonnie by email: [email protected]
**MY SCHEDULE IS FLEXIBLE, SO THINK OF ME IF YOU HAVE NEED OF A “LAST MINUTE” FILL-IN PRESENTER. I MAY BE AVAILABLE!!**
Words of Praise for Lonnie Wiig:
“Lonnie was fantastic! He is very well versed in Civil Rights History and gave our residents the opportunity to openly discuss the topic. He brought in all sorts of props and visual aids which were excellent to look at. Lonnie showed us that you are never too old to learn! We will definitely have him back soon.” Camryn F., Rock Creek Retirement
Tags: 1960's, Bend/Central Oregon, Civil Rights era, Education/Instruction, History, Lane County, last minute fill in availability, Martin Luther King Jr., Mid Willamette Valley, OK to contact on short notice, Oregon Coast, Portland/Vancouver, Segregation, Speaker, Storytellers, travel to your facility or event, travels widely
