“The Best of Enemies” presentation moved to Ahoskie Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall

Published 10:53 am Wednesday, June 1, 2022

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AHOSKIE – The location has changed for a Saturday, June 4 program featuring a Hertford County native whose involvement in the integration of public schools in Durham is now the subject of a movie.

Bill Riddick, the speaker for the Ahoskie Museum’s “The Best of Enemies” program will speak at 10 a.m. at the Ahoskie Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, located at 701 Church Street. Enter the building using the entrance facing Church Street. Patrons are invited to visit the Ahoskie Museum following the presentation.

Riddick was born in the 1930’s and grew up in Como. He is portrayed in a movie showing on Netflix called “The Best of Enemies.” The movie, written and directed by veteran filmmaker Robin Bissell, is based on the 1996 book, “The Best of Enemies: Race and Redemption in the New South” by Osha Gray Davidson.

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Riddick was working at his consulting firm in 1971 when he was contacted by Wilbur Hobby, a labor leader in Durham, asking him to lead the charrette in Durham which was federally funded and administered by the AFL-CIO.

The movie is based on that 10-day charrette, which featured Ann Atwater, a Black Activist in Durham, and C. P Ellis, the Exalted Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan in Durham, serving together, but as polar opposites, on the subject of integration.

About Cal Bryant

Cal Bryant, a 40-year veteran of the newspaper industry, serves as the Editor at Roanoke-Chowan Publications, publishers of the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald, Gates County Index, and Front Porch Living magazine.

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