Finding Your Roots

-

Henry

We started with his own father Willman Richardson. Willman's early death deprived Don of the chance to learn about his life. We soon discovered that he began his legal career on the front lines of the civil rights movement. In 1957, he worked under the legendary attorney A.P. Tureaud to file a suit against Baton Rouge, demanding that the city desegregate its buses. Wow. My dad did this? Your father and his team spent over four years pressing that case. The city tried to dismiss the lawsuit but a district judge wouldn't let them. And in 1961, the judge ruled in their favor. Had you heard anything about this? No. -

Henry

And look who he's with. -

Don

Oh, A.P. Tureaud. -

Henry

Yeah. -

Don

A.P. Tureaud is a big deal. -

Henry

A.P. Tureaud is a big deal. Wow. And your dad worked with A.P. Tureaud. Remember this is 1961, two years before the March on Washington, the freedom rides had not even started. Oh my God. (soft guitar music)