It's the 'Big Six,' not the 'Big Four'

Date published: 2/24/2008

It's the 'Big Six,' not the 'Big Four'

Thanks to The Free Lance-Star for turning the spotlight on James Farmer last weekend, but I would like to ask that we all stop repeating a popular misrepresentation ["Braveheart," Town & County, Feb. 16].

Even The New York Times obituary for Mr. Farmer contained this misrepresentation.

I will simply quote from Farmer's book, "Lay Bare the Heart," Chapter 20, The Big Six:

"Beginning in 1963, Currier's Taconic Foundation called together and hosted meetings of the 'Big Six.' The press frequently referred to the group as the 'Big Four,' ignoring Dorothy Height, president of the National Council of Negro Women, and John Lewis, national chairman of the SNCC. Age bias and sexism were even more rampant then than now. The other members of the group were Wilkins, Whitney Young, and King." (p. 215).

In his own words, in 1985: Big Six, not Big Four.

Craig Vasey

Fredericksburg

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Date published: 2/24/2008