Hezekiah Watkins, a museum employee, can be found at his office almost every day giving tours and sharing stories about his past. Watkins was arrested over 100 times while he tried to talk about his time as a young activist for civil rights in Mississippi. He was first arrested at the Mississippi State Penitentiary (also known as Parchman Farm). Watkins clarifies that he was born in Wisconsin, but was raised in Jackson. He says that the museum caused nightmares and triggers his trauma memories. He said that he was uncomfortable in some galleries when he first began working with the museum. “I wasn’t comfortable talking about the things that happened to my family in Parchman,” he said. Watkins and his friend went despite warnings from Watkins’ mother and pastor. Watkins stated that his mother had told him the first thing he heard was that he might be killed. She also suggested other things that could happen. Their home could be destroyed. His younger brother might be hurt. The list goes on. Watkins stated, “That was shocking.” Watkins said, “That was shocking.” They were being beaten. They were being spit upon. Kicked. Bit by dogs. They were doing it over and over again.” Watkins did not feel the urge to become a Freedom Rider. He wanted to see some of the things that he was warned about. He wanted to be so close to the sit-in scene that he could touch one of the riders. This would give him some leverage. How close was too close? Watkins claims that Watkins was pushed inside by a friend. Watkins, 13, was approached by police and asked for his name and birthplace. Watkins states, “They asked me my name.” Watkins was arrested after police found out that his birthplace was Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They mistaken Watkins for an “outsider agitator” from Midwest who was traveling South to disrupt order. Watkins was transported to Parchman Farm, where he was placed on death row. He shared a cell in which were two murder suspects. Watkins distinctly recalls being molested, tortured, and physically abused. He was only allowed to eat the syrup, biscuit and some meat fat that were left by the convicts. Watkins was returned to Jackson five days later. His mother was called and asked to return to Jackson, where she believed she would be identifying the remains of her son. She was surprised to be able to hug her son at the release. Watkins signed a series of papers before Watkins was released. The form also contained a list of possible consequences if Watkins did get involved in the movement. Watkins’ mother, who is outwardly religious and firm with her beliefs and expectations demanded that Watkins avoid any activity that could make him a Freedom Rider. Watkins stated, “Headed home. I’m thinking all is well.” My mom and I had a good conversation going home. We get home and she tells us to drop our clothes. But, we don’t stay there for too long. James Bevel, a prominent figure and leader of the civil rights movement, visited Watkins’ Jackson home after hearing about Watkins’ imprisonment at Parchman. Watkins made it clear that he didn’t want to join the movement. But Bevel noticed something in Watkins. After witnessing him preach a powerful sermon at church, Bevel gained the trust of Watkins’ mother. Watkins stated, “He had the entire church in tears.” Even though I am not a huge Christian now, I was a much more religious person back then. However, when the man stood up and began to preach — I’m a tell youa, and I don’t owe youa any lie — the Spirit was within me. It was not only me but everyone in the church. It was exactly like Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream” speech. It was so powerful” Watkins claims that his mother still cried on the way back from the church. Bevel convinced her that Bevel was “a God sent man.” When they returned home, Bevel asked Watkins’ mother if she would allow her son to join him in the movement. “Without thinking, my mom said, “If you promise me that you’ll take good care of him, then I’ll let him go with you.” Watkins agreed. The rest is history. That was when my true journey began.” Watkins became a Freedom Rider by participating in 1964’s Freedom Summer also known as The Mississippi Summer Project. Watkins and other activists set out to increase the number of black voters in Mississippi during that hot and violent summer. Freedom Schools was also created, offering free summer classes for black children in the South. Watkins stated, “It was an incredible experience.” “I’m glad that I was pushed in,” Watkins said. “Pushing Forward” Nearly 55 years after becoming Mississippi’s youngest Freedom Rider by accident, Watkins finally tells his story in Pushing Forward. Watkins sat for more than 15 years contemplating the idea of writing a book. He was unable to trust anyone, even though many people offered their help. After visiting family in Hattiesburg, Andrea Ledwell, a Petal native and writer decided to make a slight detour to return home to Houston. She was excited to see the museum. Watkins was discovered by her during a tour of the museum. Ledwell began to hear his story. She was intrigued and wanted to learn more. Watkins was able to continue the conversation because of the safe space created between them. “You’ve heard that there must be chemistry between them? Watkins asked this question during an interview with Mississippi Today. “Well, we had to have had chemistry to be able to connect. “We talked a lot that day.” Watkins found the person who would help him tell his story. It was the culmination of a year-long process that included hours-long phone calls and countless interviews. Ledwell stated, “I believe sharing those stories with others is one of the most courageous acts a person can do, especially when faced with those terrible experiences and that trauma in history.” I am just in awe at the whole thing and his courage to go out there to do it. It was an honor to be a part this process.” Watkins, Ledwell and others don’t call one another friends. They say, “We’re all family.” Watkins grew up in Mississippi segregated and wouldn’t have had the thought to befriend a white woman or have a white woman tell his story. Watkins stated, “Whoever thought.” “There are many Jackson blacks and whites who are friends. They are not as close to each other as my family and her family. It was something I didn’t expect. But it’s a blessing that she came into my life.” Ledwell stated, “At one moment it dawned upon me… Here, I am, a Mississippi white woman and he is an African American gentleman hailing from Mississippi.” “And now we are collaborating and writing this book together. That symbolises how far we have come. It is a symbol for hope. It is a symbol of all we are trying to achieve.” Ledwell, who was traveling from Houston to Jackson to attend Wednesday’s “History is Lunch” event at Mississippi Civil Rights Museum at noon. Watkins and Watkins signed hundreds of copies of their book Tuesday afternoon. It is the first time that both of them have had a book published. The book is now on sale exclusively at the museum gift shop and online at pushingforwardbook.com. Watkins claims that even though he may not sell one book, he has received such attention and support from Ledwell that it will satisfy him. He considers her a blessing and has been able to move forward because of it. He is confident that his home state, thanks to his relationship with her and the establishment of a civil-rights museum, is moving in a positive direction. He said, “Yeah Mississippi is still dragging.” It’s moving. Some states aren’t moving at all. We’re moving. We are moving slowly. We’re still moving.”