Chicago Injury Lawyer Robert Kreisman Participates in Evanston's Race Against Hate
On Sunday, June 22, 2008, I (Robert Kreisman) gathered with thousands of people to fight against hate in all forms. The 9th annual Race Against Hate is a race in memory of Ricky Byrdsong, a former Northwestern University basketball coach. The 5k course loops along Northwestern University's campus and Evanston's lakefront, starting and finishing on Long Field.
Early Sunday, the skies darkened and it rained briefly, delaying the start of the race for 30 minutes. But the rain did not dampen the spirits of those gathered for this annual event. I loved the juxtaposition of adults sweating through the 5k lakefront course and finishing to be rewarded with the sight of kids poised at the start line waiting for their opportunity to show their stuff in the follow up kids' race. (See the photo below showing the start of the kids' race.) We enjoyed seeing neighbors and friends who both participated and rooted for those who ran or walked. It was an invigorating experience, without losing the connection of the root of the event, the tragic and senseless murder of an innocent man, Ricky Birdsong, because of the color of his skin.
In 1999 Byrdsong was murdered while walking with his two youngest children through his neighborhood when a white supremacist peppered them with bullets. Byrdsong was hit in the back and died within hours.
The mission of The Ricky Byrdsong Foundation was to arrest the growing epidemic of hate and violence by and against youth, to build character in their lives and help them find a sense of purpose. The Race Against Hate unites people of different racial, religious and ethnic backgrounds to celebrate diversity, promote reconciliation and declare that racism is not welcome or tolerated ANYWHERE in America. - Sherialyn Birdsong
The Ricky Byrdsong Foundation was dissolved in 2006, but its work is carried on through the YWCA Evanston/North Shore’s racial justice programming. This program carries on to erase divisions between peoples of varying backgrounds, color, religions, ethnicities and gender.
On Sunday, May 18, 2008, thousands of walkers turned out for Walk Now for Autism, a 5k walk to raise funds for autism research. Bob Kreisman, Yolanda Flores, and Catherine Russell of Kreisman Law Offices were all in attendance, each contributing in their own way.
Yolanda showed up at 6:00 a.m., two hours before registration opened, to help organize the tents and booths in preparation for the busy day. Once walkers began to arrive Yolanda headed up the t-shirt booth, handing out box upon box of t-shirts to participants over the course of the next several hours. And through the long day she always had a smile on her face and kept the atmosphere of the t-shirt booth light and fun.
Bob and Catherine both participated in the walk itself. The 5k (3.1 mile) course started at Soldier Field, then looped along Chicago's lakefront before backtracking to Soldier Field. The course was full of families and friends of children with autism that came out to show their support for both their loved ones and for the organization itself. Oftentimes individual groups could be distinguished by t-shirts they wore or large banners with slogans and messages of support and love. Despite the large number of people there was not a cross word to be heard- everyone was happy and excited to be involved.
In addition to the walk itself there were several activities and booths for the children, including several bounce houses, games, and music. And since one of the purposes of the walk is to raise autism awareness there is also a Resource Fair. Essentially Walk Now for Autism is a perfect blend of activities, information and fun.
Walk Now for Autism is sponsored by Autism Speaks, an organization dedicated to raising awareness for autism and researching causes, prevention and treatment for autism. Autism is a brain disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships. Oftentimes the disease is accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges. Currently 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with autism, which represents a tenfold increase over the last decade. To find out more about Autism Speaks visit www.autismspeaks.org.
