Andrew Reid
Andrew Reid was born in Albany, Georgia and grew up in an area called CME in a neighborhood that was predominately white. This made for a very different experience growing up in the city. He was not aggressive but developed a sense of race pride because of the fact they sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing” every morning at his local all Black school. This and the fact that his brother was beaten by a group of Whites, not far from Albany State’s campus, played a major role in why he joined the Civil Rights Movement. He worked with the movement in a different capacity because he knew his limitations. Reid knew he could not be nonviolent, so he chose to teach a night school course, encourage others to participate, and demonstrate and go to jail. He remembered spending his first night under arrest in the National Guard Armory, but the next day he was sent to Camilla, Georgia’s jail. His mother had a difficult time finding him because the police could not keep up with everyone. After finally being released, he found out he was suspended from Albany State while trying to register for the next quarter. This would not stop Reid, he continued his work with SCLC and SNCC. As the Albany movement cooled in 1962 he was drafted into the military. After his time in the service, he returned home and finished his education at Albany State College graduating in 1970. Today, Reid believes that the next generation should remember the past as a foundation to move forward and become successful people. He will always believe that his sacrifice was well worth the effort.