Southern Gentleman, Southern Journalist, Southern Courage and the Fight for Civil Rights:   The Story of Ira B. Harkey, Jr.

After Ira won the Pulitzer Prize for his editorials condemning the State Government of Mississippi and its resistance to the integration of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), he was continually criticized or ignored by most  Mississippi newspapers. And though it took years, the pen finally proved mightier than the sword.

Throughout history it was the strong-willed individual that was relied upon to further a cause, to support humanitarian ideals in the face of adversity, to take on huge responsibilities and fight the powers that be to change the prevailing beliefs and concepts. Dr. Ira B. Harkey, Jr. is one of these extraordinary individuals. This southern born white man used his Mississippi newspaper as a platform to fight racial violence and to champion equal rights during the 1950's and 1960's and helped to usher in a new mindset, a new era in the 1970's that has made Mississippi a better place today.

This one hour documentary will chronicle his life and legacy.

Seldom has there been a time when so few people managed to accomplish so much and do it against the social mores of the time. But during the Civil Rights era a small group of Southern editors went against the entrenched customs and placed the welfare of the nation first. This documentary will focus on one of these true Southern heroes - a white, southern-born newspaperman who went against the prevailing tide during those turbulent years and will follow up on the legacy he left behind.

Ira B. Harkey, Jr. was a persistent critic of his own land in his own land. He used biting humor and rapier wit in his battle against bigotry and racial bias. He was a passionate advocate for integration - not just as a legal issue, but as a moral one.

Harkey's is a powerful story of courage, sacrifice and honor - a sane voice at a time of insanity who was able to maintain his personal integrity while standing his ground in the face of violence and hatred. And he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his words of reason, one of the highest honors a writer can receive. And though he left the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1963 feeling shunned and alone, there remained a voice that rang true throughout the years.

The visualizations that will be used to tell the story of this remarkable man and the impact he had will be accomplished by:

We believe this story of Ira B. Harkey, Jr. is one that needs to be heard, that it has something important to say on the subject of Civil Rights that hasn't been heard before.  Southern Gentleman, Southern Journalist, Southern Courage and the Fight for Civil Rights will pay homage to the impact of journalism during the era of Jim Crow, the realignment and balance of education during the 1960's and 70's, the softening of racial discord and the general acceptance of civil equality that ushered in the more enlightened culture we have today.

In an interview with Gary Holland (Sun Herald Newspaper), one of Ira's sons, Judge Dale Harkey of Pascagoula, MS said, "When I think of my daddy, I think of the fiercest intellect I have ever encountered. It took courage to take a stand, which left a legacy."

Through this documentary we hope to show this intellect, this courage, and this legacy to the world and to pay homage and honor to the man who displayed them - Ira B. Harkey, Jr.

For individual donations of $1000 or more tho donor's name will be entered into a drawing for an all expense paid trip to Los Angeles for two for the premier screening of The Ira Harkey Story. This will include round trip airfare, hotel, transportation, and attendance to the screening and after screening party.

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