- April 23, 2024
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When Larry Green marched alongside his neighbors and friends in Savannah, Georgia during the civil rights movement, he didn't agree with their stance on nonviolence.
As a young twenty something, at the time he didn't understand how people could stand idly by while people were throwing and spitting things at you and your friends. Though he never experienced that side of it himself, his desire to fight back got him got him removed from the marches all together.
"When I was young, I always disagreed with the nonviolence," Green said. "Now I know that violence don't really prove nothing."
Through his experience, Green developed an appreciation for the key figures in black history and celebrates that interest through his artwork. His work has been show at the opening of The World Trade Center, and he was given a one-man art exhibit at the International Arrival Building at JFK Airport in New York City.
"Black history inspires me," he said. "The characters, some of the people we read about and the roles they played. When you say 'black history,' it's our history. It's American history. Not everyone understands that."
Awareness and understanding are the driving forces behind Green and Linda Epps' efforts to host events for Black History Month in Ormond Beach. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, three separate events will be held at the Ormond Beach Library starting Feb. 10. Epps said her and her "partner in crime," decided to put the show — which includes a month-long art display of Green's work at the library — after realizing Ormond Beach didn't have any similar events to celebrate the month.
"We know a lot of people around here are retired and just relaxing," Epps laughed. "I mean, I get it. I'm an old person too, I don't want to go anywhere. But this is something people should come out and be a part of."
"We need to inform people," Green said. "especially black people, of what's going on. It's a confirmation of who we are."
