Local couple receive human rights award

On Jan. 7, The Bloomington Human Rights Commission awarded Clarence and Frances Gilliam with the fifth annual Human Rights Award. \n"We want to recognize people who have been involved for a long time," said Barbara McKinney, director of the BHRC. "The Gilliams have been active in human rights for a quarter of a century."\nClarence is currently president of the Monroe County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and Frances is membership chairperson. \nBesides being active with the Second Baptist Church, Clarence, in conjunction with the NAACP and the Unitarian Universalist Church, published a study called, "Race and Criminal Justice in Monroe County." As a response to this study, the Racial Justice Task Force was formed. \nFrances wrote a book on the history of African Americans in Bloomington, "A Time to Speak, A Brief History of the Afro-Americans of Bloomington."\n"You do things because you want to do them and believe in them," Frances said. "It's always gratifying when someone else recognizes that."\nThe Gilliams both said they have seen a change in Bloomington's attitude towards African Americans and racial issues throughout their years here. \n"Bloomington has become a more friendly community for African Americans and non-white Americans," Clarence said. "And I believe that makes the community more enjoyable to live in."\nIt took the Gilliams six years to buy a house in Bloomington. Frances said no one would sell to them, and when they finally did buy a house, it was through an owner and not a real estate agency.\n"They've helped a number of African Americans with legal issues," McKinney said.\nMcKinney said Clarence's work with criminal issues was especially important to Bloomington.\n"That's an issue that's really important," McKinney said. "I don't know who else would have looked into that issue."\nClarence and Frances's purpose through the years has been to help make things better for African Americans in the community.\n"We spent a lot of time and effort listening to and investigating complaints brought to us by the community," Clarence said. "We decided we would find a way to address those complaints."\nThe couple's work with the NAACP is meant to help eliminate discrimination and segregation in America. \nClarence said such action starts at the local level. As a teacher, Frances helped to make these changes. \n"I tried to get (my students) to understand what it meant to be an American and to have people of different races and creeds as your friends," Frances said.\nThe couple expressed their gratitude for receiving this award.\n"I appreciate the fact that the community thanked me for the services I rendered for human rights," Clarence said, "and I deeply appreciate the award"