In the words of Margaret Atwood, “History does not repeat itself, but it rhymes.” In parallel stories from different eras in Rye, the rhyming, cyclical nature of history reveals itself. As we honor National Human Rights Month, this collaborative piece ties the past to the present, profiling a Civil Rights activist from 1960s Rye alongside two leaders of recent social justice initiatives. Thank you to Amanda Yannett, Cristiana Villani, Peter Sterling and Lili Waters for helping to capture this significant time in history.

Peter Sterling, who grew up in Rye in the 1940s and 1950s, was one of the original Freedom Riders. He left college in May 1961 and headed south to New Orleans for CORE training, then on to Jackson, Mississippi. The Rye Historical Society has interviewed Peter in the past to learn about his experience as a Freedom Rider and his reflections on Rye and the Civil Rights era. In recent years, he has visited eighth grade classrooms at Rye Middle School and in the early days of the pandemic, he hosted a Google Meet with fifth graders at Milton who were learning the term Civil Rights for the first time. This summer, following the murder of George Floyd and the death of one of Peter’s heroes, John Lewis, Peter’s experiences in the 1960s took on a renewed relevance. Lili Waters, a tenth grader at Rye High School, interviewed Peter to get his insights on the current environment and thoughts on how we can do better.

As a lifelong Civil Rights advocate, Peter was inspired to see how new leaders stepped forward in the Rye community to raise awareness, share stories, and organize a local Black Lives Matter march. Two Rye High School alumni, Amanda Yannett and Cristiana Villani, along with recent alumni and current students, recognized how the systemic racism and social unrest happening on a national level is reflected in the Rye community. They led the way, working with local leaders and activists to organize an energized, unifying and Covid-safe march, bringing a message of social justice and humanity to our community.

The march, along with the powerful messages from speakers, left attendees with a call to action and an unforgettable shared experience during a time marked by conflict and isolation. With over a thousand people in attendance, this was a major accomplishment, and only the beginning of Amanda and Cristiana’s work in the community. Through the process of planning and executing the march, they formed strong relationships in local schools, City and County government, law enforcement, and with other local nonprofits. Amanda and Cristiana have continued their work by forming a group called the Rye Coalition for Change, and they are serving on committees in town with goals to evaluate diversity and inclusion practices. Their advocacy goals, in their words, “are constantly evolving, (and) are all geared towards guiding our community to become more informed, equitable, diverse, and just.”

Included below are Lili’s introduction and interview with Peter Sterling, as well as the interview with Amanda and Cristiana. Also included are photographs from the Black Lives Matter march and a film clip of Peter Sterling interviewed on the train with other Freedom Riders in 1961. Along with the exemplary individuals profiled in this piece, the Rye Historical Society also commends the youth leaders in the Rye High School GSA who helped organize the Pride Month Celebration and the students from Rye Country Day School and Rye High School who organized the Climate March last fall. Thank you for your dedication as change agents.

Catching Up with Peter Sterling

By Lili Waters

Peter Sterling, a native of Rye, has reflected back on his experience in the Civil Rights movement as a Freedom Rider and shared his thoughts in an interview with me over the summer. He sheds light on today’s continuing fight for equality from a history of activism and his vast knowledge of the human brain as a scientist. Peter is a Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania and sees the intersection between science and social change. From this, he stresses the need for academic activism, for students and young people to read and discuss the state of the country and where they want to redirect it.

In an age when people’s brains are not stimulated in the same way as their ancestors, learning and critical thinking help keep us and our society healthy. Systemic racism in education and other areas limits people’s abilities and creates negative, unhealthy outcomes. Peter’s newest book, What is Health? and lecture, both of which I recommend, go into scientific detail about our country’s values, mostly mundanely economic, versus our minds’ need for fulfillment, challenge, variety and growth.

Reflecting on the death of John Lewis, Sterling points out the need for leaders like Lewis in the Black Lives Matter movement, along with clear goals and well thought-out organization. However, he doesn’t limit activism to racial inequality, but also emphasizes the need to focus on climate. One of his solutions to creating change in all areas is voting. He praises the power of the ballot and the power of the people.

In a time when there is so much uncertainty and need for change, it is important to look at our past and closely examine our present through an informed, well-read lens. Peter Sterling’s words offer this through his personal experience.

Young people in the crowd on the Village Green kneeling in remembrance of George Floyd
Marching through Rye (2 photos)
Signs from the march and other messages decorated the wall outside Rye Presbyterian Church for a vigil on June 14, 2020 (2 photos)

Links:

Film clip of Peter Sterling on the train, 1961

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEf0MMHGKLw

Interview with Cristiana Villani and Amanda Yannett

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11ds5sAUCDXlJTMbtXMwZDBgwE5uKow39/view?usp=sharing

Interview with Peter Sterling

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G0t5NUHxS3d_7EMqhXYNl640DSZUFsKV1uozCl_plK0/edit?usp=sharing

Civil Rights as Human Rights, from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

https://www.facinghistory.org/universal-declaration-human-rights/civil-rights-human-rights

What’s Old is New Again: In the Civil Rights Movement and Summer 2020, Rye Youth Lead the Way

Catching Up with Peter Sterling