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William J. Barber II, pastor of North Carolina and a long-time political activist, is now a member of MacArthur. And he scored the occasion Thursday by being stopped during a demonstration.
Barber, a 55-year-old pastor at Goldsboro's Greenleaf Christian Church, is one of 25 winners of the MacArthur Fellowship's 2018 Genius Grant.
When the price was announced, Barber was in Chicago to protest the increase in the minimum wage.
"I have just been arrested in Chicago and I am awaiting trial," he said in an appeal to News & Observer. "For the minimum wage, in front of McDonald's headquarters."
Nevertheless, the news of MacArthur was a good dynamism.
"It's a gesture of support, to do more of what you're trying to do," said Barber. "That does not mean resting on one's laurels, but continuing to push. In this work, you sometimes receive heavy criticism. People say ugly things, "You just want money." I just want other people to have health care. You know, Jesus healed everyone and never charged a share. "
As head of the NAACP in North Carolina, Barber drew national attention from 2013 leading the "moral Monday" movement into the state. It was a series of weekly protest rallies at the Republican-controlled General Assembly of N.C.
Voting rights, education funding, LGBTQ rights and other progressive causes were on the agenda. Most weeks, Barber delivered a fiery sermon-style speech.
"My motivation comes from a number of countries," Barber said in a statement about the award. "My father learned very early that the only purpose of life is to make a difference in the lives of others and to defend what is right and full of love and compassion."
Over the years, Barber has talked about the Race Justice Act, school desegregation and gay marriage rights. Not everyone has approved.
The Civitas Institute, the conservative group linked to the great Republican donor Art Pope, was particularly critical.
"This is a hot air band, a selfish advertising dog," said former Civitas president Francis de Luca at News & Observer in 2014.
Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove of Durham, who collaborated with the Poor People Campaign and co-authored a book with Barber, congratulated him.
"I think Reverend Barber's work over the last two decades is a crucial reconstruction work for which the country sees an urgent need, "said Wilson-Hartgrove. "I am delighted to know that he knew that he had to do this work well before the awarding of the prize and I am really grateful that they can also recognize it and that they be willing to raise it and provide support. "
Reverend Mac Legerton, Minister of the United Church of Christ in Robeson County, echoed this sentiment.
"His call to address the concerns and needs of the poor is particularly important in these times," said Legerton. "Poverty is increasing in North Carolina and in the country and around the world. Our society and our religious communities have neglected the needs and aspirations of the poor. "
Former Vice President Al Gore also sent congratulations to Barber via Twittersaying that "no one is more deserving".
"I'm grateful, humble, overwhelmed and more engaged than ever," said Barber. "The rewards should only push you to continue doing the work of justice. We planned this (protesting) several months ago, alongside workers. Maybe stopping me today was a metaphor.
MacArthur Fellows facts
▪ The award is not considered a prize of excellence, but the candidates are evaluated according to their achievements. The program emphasizes that the reward is "an investment in the originality, insight and potential of a person. Indeed, the purpose of the MacArthur Fellows program is to enable recipients to exercise their own creative instinct for the benefit of human society. "
▪ The program does not accept applications or unsolicited appointments.
▪ About 20 to 30 winners are named each year. Past winners are Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of "Hamilton," the designer Alison Bechdel and author Ta-Nehisi Coates.
▪ Among other recent MacArthur Fellows in North Carolina, a musician Rhiannon Giddens and former reporter of News & Observer Nikole Hannah-Jones in 2017, and tap dancer Michelle Dorrance in 2015. Another 2018 winner, Kelly Link, earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1995 from UNC-Greensboro.
Previous winners with NC links
▪ A.R. Ammons, poet, June 1981
▪ Christopher Beard, paleontologist, 2000
▪ Jeremy Denk, pianist and writer, 2013
▪ Michelle Dorrance, tap dancer and choreographer, 2015
▪ Martin Daniel Eakes, Economic Development Strategist, 1996
▪ John G. Fleagle, Primatologist and Paleontologist, 1988
▪ Craig Gentry, computer scientist, 2014
▪ Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, Researcher in Sports Medicine, 2011
▪ Robert H. Hall, Public Interest Reporter, 1992
▪ Nikole Hannah-Jones, journalist, 2017
▪ Shirley Brice Heath, linguist anthropologist, 1984
▪ Carolyn McKecuen, Economic Development Officer, 1994
▪ Jane Richardson, biochemist, 1985
▪ Max Roach, percussionist and jazz composer, 1988
▪ Theodore Rosengarten, historian, 1989
▪ John W. Terborgh, conservation biologist, 1992
▪ Eleanor Wilner, poet, 1991
▪ Patricia C. Wright, Primatologist and Ecologist, 1989
▪ Daisy Youngblood, sculptor, 2003
Source: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
David Menconi: 919-829-4759, @NCDavidMenconi
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