A Resolution Honoring Ronn Pitts
WHEREAS, Ronn Pitts was called home on September 22, 2013 after living a life dedicated to educating and helping others; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pitts was an extremely accomplished filmmaker who used his talents to promote awareness about Civil Rights issues; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pitts was personally familiar with the Civil Rights struggles as he was targeted on his way to school in the Fuller Park/Bronzeville neighborhood in the 1930s and throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, Despite being treated like he was a second-class citizen, Mr. Pitts decided to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating from DuSable High School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pitt's filmmaking and documentation of the Civil Rights struggles included the films The Murder of Fred Hampton and American Revolution II as well as footage of Dr. King's marches and the assassination of Malcolm X; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pitts was awarded the "Foot Soldier of Justice" Award in the late 1960s for his bravery in filming the Bloody Sunday events at Selma, Alabama; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pitts also broke down racial barriers by becoming the first African-American professor to teach at Columbia College and one of the first African-Americans to shoot footage for the National Football League; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pitt's work towards justice and equality also helped the Gay Rights movement in that he captured the tragic death of Harvey Milk on camera and worked closely with Andy Warhol's transsexual girlfriend on the 1971 film Some of My Best Friends Are; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pitts considered himself a servant to those in need and inspired and encouraged others to be the same; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of Mr. Pitts' contributions to the country and to the city, Mayor Richard M. Daley officially named October 10th as Ronn Pitts Day in 1998; and
WHEREAS, Ronn Pitts leaves behind an important body of work that will continue to advance humanity for years to come as well as countless friends and students ...
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