This book will take you through my incredible four year quest for justice for The Groveland Four and teach you how to pursue your own causes, whatever they may be. It is a primer for positive action, a journey through Florida’s past as well as its future. Some of the things you will learn: everything takes more time than you think, nothing ever goes according to plan, help can come from … unexpected places, time is on your side, everyone is connected to everyone else, you can reach your tipping point for success and not even realize it, your goals can change along the way, and flexibility is key. Let’s get started, shall we?
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This is a journey through the quest to get justice for The Groveland Four and in return, it will give great suggestions on how to champion another cause that is dear to your heart. By reading this, you will discover the details behind a shady past from Florida in the US and how even now you can change the future to not make the same mistakes. Obviously it will not always go to plan for the author, but his determination will be clearly visible as he struggles to make this a successful quest for restitution for the sins of the past. A very interesting read that will if nothing else educate the reader on some of the murky histories of one part of the United States.
This was not normally the kind of book that I would read, but as I got further into the story I felt myself become invested into the injustice of the events described and knowing that justice really had to be done if today we had any sense of pride. This book is written to describe the story as events happened which avoids the style of writing we find so popular now where the story is told in a few pages. Well written it was easy to understand and feel the frustration and hope that the author was experiencing. Definitely worth a try even if it is not your normal style of book.
Josh Venkataraman is a unique young man in that his cause found him while driving from Orlando to Gainesville, Florida as a junior at the University of Florida, and he picked up that cause and chased it through to its conclusion. It took him on a path that taught him far more than he thought it would and led him to meet and befriend fascinating people he would work together with for an outcome that seemed out of reach. He shares what he learned along the way in a clear, concise manner as well as the compelling events that effected several families for over 70 years.
Months earlier, for a history class, Josh read “Devil in the Groves: Thurgood Marshall, The Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of the New America” by Gilbert King, who won a Pulitzer award for it. When Josh passed the sign for Groveland that day in Florida, he remembered the book and that like many, he had not heard of this sad chapter of 1949 Florida’s history. A young white woman accused four young black men of raping her, the youngest of which was Charles Greenlee. He was just 16, and got off the bus in Groveland to meet a friend who would help him find a job in the groves to help support his unborn child. Having been picked up at the bus station for loitering while awaiting his friend, he was in jail at the time of the rape.
The local sheriff had beaten, tortured, and coerced the young men into confessing the crime. One of the four was killed by the Klan after he escaped from being picked up. Two won an appeal fought by Thurgood Marshall, an attorney who became the first black man appointed to the Supreme Court in 1967. One of those two men was killed by Sheriff Willis McCall, the “Devil in the Grove”, and the other seriously injured.
One of the most poignant quotes of the book is from Greenlee, the only one of the four to die in prison for a rape he didn’t commit. “There are mistakes made every day. We have to find a way to forgive.” His daughter Carol didn’t know why he was in prison until she was in her 30’s, and her greatest desire was for her father to be exonerated. She couldn’t get any further, however, than the bill that a Florida senator was unable to get a backer in the Florida House. Then she heard from Josh. From the petition they began on Change.org to Gilbert King speaking at University of Florida to speaking with more politicians, the journey was much longer than Josh envisioned. He wasn’t ready to quit, and Carol wasn’t, either.
I agree with Carol Greenlee when it comes to God’s direction in this process and the answer to prayers. Reading about their first, then subsequent meetings was exciting, as was his meeting with other family members and Gilbert King, whose book started the ball rolling by raising the awareness of a young college student. The response of some politicians was disheartening, while others were very encouraging. Josh’s persistence is refreshing, a young man who had no relation to any of the people involved or their families until the cause found him. I highly recommend this not just as a “primer for positive action”, but a demonstration of the good people can accomplish together.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel; a review was not required.
Barbara Venkataraman – Josh – Accidental Activist – Reviewed 1/13/20 – Read 1/12/20
Quest for justice for “The Groveland Four”…
@ddeegott Journey with Josh & Barbara Venkataraman while they fight to clear the names of “The Groveland Four”. From an America History assignment to the Florida House and Senate on to the Clemency Board and then the Governors Office, Josh fought every step of the way to finally bring peace to each of the families of four men wrongfully accused of rape. In July 1949, four men were accused of raping a 17-year-old white woman. Even one of those men accused was actually in Jail at the time of this incident, he was sentenced to jail. As a conclusion to this journey, January 2019, the governor of Florida issued a pardon to all of the men, 70 years after the event.
The journey for Josh, and the friends that help him during this battle to reach the pardon, is documented and shows all of the steps in what we need to know to fight, and right some of our own types of battles. Incredible interaction with the political system of justice showing how it can go all wrong. Including a corrupted, prejudice sheriff, Sheriff Willis McCall, had beaten and tortured three of the men, forcing a false confession, to killing two of the four; wounded the third and, the incarceration of the fourth man that was never even there. This sheriff never received any punishment what so ever. The final man of the four, Charles Greenlee had been the youngest of the four at just 16, was sentenced to life in prison. Read this incredible, heartfelt journey about racism, political injustice and a battle to close the door on the past, giving peace and justice to the families.
What did I like? I have read other books by Barbara Venkataraman and knew that based on them this would be an incredible read. I was not disappointed. I remember people talking about this incident but I was too young to have known much about it. Of course, I was aware of the problems of racism and the prejudices of many law enforcement officials. Even in my hometown of Albuquerque we had some of the same types of problems. I was intrigued by the process that Josh and his group went through to get to the end. Even in the end, it’s not over because there is one more step and that was a complete vindication of the charges for the men that were found guilty. One did not stand trial because he was killed by the sheriff and one of the others did not make it through the trail as he was also killed. The other two were charged and they needed the vindication to make it the final end!
What will you like? This is a difficult book to review because it shows the injustice to people that never deserved to be treated like they were, and no one wants to admit that it happens. You will applaud Josh and Barbara in their endeavors to right this mega problem of our past. Whether it be in Florida, where this occurs or any other place that it has happened, it shows that we need to be conscious of these wrongs and help to fight it when they occur in our society today. He will show you the steps in and the perseverance of doing so. What to expect and of course, what not to expect. How to be prepared for the inevitable corruption and political blocks that will happen, no matter how prepared you think you are. An incredible read that every citizen in the Great USA should read. We as AMERICANS should stand up for our own, no matter the color of their skin, the language they speak, their age or the place where their parents came from. We are all AMERICANS…
• File Size: 1221 KB
• Print Length: 101 pages
• Release Date: October 15, 2019
• Genre: Social Activist Biographies, Civics, Civics & Citizenship
politics, criminal-injustice-system, florida, action, nonfiction, racial-profiling, lynching, mob-mentality, bigotry
Four young men who were nearly proved innocent in 1949 were either wrongfully incarcerated or murdered at the instigation of a sheriff have had their day in court nearly seventy years after the fact. The author became aware of the issue while in law school, investigated, contacted remaining family members, and began organizing a political posse to right the wrongs done (albeit posthumously) for the benefit of the families and people today. It took years! As someone once said, the wheels of Justice move slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine. Excellent work and an excellent read!
I was able to augment my ebook with a Whispersync audiobook as narrated by Joshua Mackey who was perfect as the voice of Josh Venkataraman.
I normally do not read non-fiction books for enjoyment. However, I decided to give this one a try since I am familiar with one of the author’s other works. I was not disappointed. This is a very well-written book. This is a book that should’ve been written and should be read. The book shows that one person can really make a difference as long as they are willing to put in the work to bring about the changes that need to happen. I was not aware of this case before reading this book. However, after reading the book I feel that I am well informed on this case. Reading this book even though non-fiction was easy to read, is written in a kind of storyteller style. I recommend this book to those interested in history or criminal justice.
I voluntarily agreed to listen to a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced by anyone.
I was given a copy by the coauthor for an honest review.
It’s interesting to note that I was aware of the activities of this case after I moved to Florida in 2014. However, I was not aware of all the details or the lengths that Josh went to so that justice was served. I admire everyone involved that they experienced forgiveness in their hearts. This is a fast read and very informative.
I was unfamiliar with the case of the Groveland Four and the gross injustice that occurred before reading this book. This book is a compelling read that I was drawn into right from the start. I highly recommend reading Accidental Activist.
I don’t normally read nonfiction but Accidental Activist was written in such a style that it was so easy to stay engaged. This was based on history I knew nothing about so the book prompted me to do a little research. I really enjoyed the opportunity to learn something new and found it very interesting learning about the process the author went through. Kudos to Josh for finding an issue and doing his part to right a wrong. He had no direct history with any of the family involved just a passion to do his part to make the world a better place. I have read some of his mother, Barbara’s books and know that she helped turn this into the great book it is. I highly recommend giving Accidental Activist a read.
When Josh Venkataramen studied at the University of Florida, he read a book titled: Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and Dawn of the New America by Gilbert King, for an American History class. On a return trip to the university Josh spotted the sign Groveland. At that point, he as able to put the history he read into perspective.
I was unaware of the plight of the Groveland Boys until reading Josh’s book. Racial profiling back in 1949 was prevalent throughout the South and most of the country. The atrocities that happened, and the information about these young men were swept under the rug for far too many years! This story, through much research and perseverance of a young college student, brings the horror of what these young men endured to light. By speaking with Gilbert King and many of the family members, Josh set out to right a terrible wrong with, hard work and dedication.
This book is an excellent presentation of what it takes, and the length one must go to, in order to incite change within the judicial system. Although, this incident happened back in 1949, there is still too much of it happening today. By taking a stand and informing the public of the events 70+ years ago, including manufactured evidence, and a corrupt system, Josh was able to teach us the steps it takes to generate a change in our world today.
Josh, and his mother Barbara, made an excellent team representing those that have endured much. Not only the Groveland Boys, but their families as well. The book is well planned out, as well as thought provoking. I encourage others to read this book and look for ways to make help make a change, no matter what they may be passionate about. I received this book as a gift from the author. The thoughts and opinions are my own.