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"A Killing In Choctaw" Play Reviews Click on links to read full article
"It's not about forgetting," Ray said to the students. "It's about your freedom. It's about you living longer through the process of forgiveness. It doesn't mean things are going to change overnight. Every day you pick up the newspaper, you're going to see something that you may not like. It's how you let that affect you versus letting it slide off your back." Carl's story soon will be studied by 11th graders in one of the nation's largest school systems. A version of the play that includes a question-and-answer session with students will be introduced into the Los Angeles Unified School District as part of the high school curriculum on race. "As I was watching, I was thinking it was a personal story, but it really does reach out to other people," said Orpheus Crutchfield, 37, from Hercules, Calif. "It's a horrible story, but it's a universal story." "If they hadn't done him like that maybe he wouldn't have shot him...We just want to let the past be the past." Forty years ago a black teenager watched his father shot to death by a white man in rural Alabama. Today, a documentary about the youth's story is in production. "The play may be good for...all to see, especially in a nation that continues to be confounded by the destructive nature of bigotry." "Not as many know about the traumatized, depressed and guilt-ridden, 18-year-old who arrived at Tuskegee after seeing his father shot to death. Many know that he has overcome, but few know what." "Ray...is a talented performer who does an admirable job of telling a tale of an American tragedy and -- remarkably -- of forgiveness." One night, Carl Raye was in a black church, telling the story of his Alabama childhood. As usual, he was drawing laughter and tears. This time, he also drew a suggestion. “We’re living in times, especially after 9/11, when forgiveness isn’t something you hear about,” Carl Raye said. “I want people to understand forgiveness is possible.”

"A Killing In Choctaw" Documentary Reviews Click on links to read full article
Theaters in Choctaw County probably won't be too eager to show it though..."This is not the South of the 1960's anymore," he said. Residents "would just like to let it alone..." "As I was watching, I was thinking it was a personal story, but it really does reach out to other people," said Orpheus Crutchfield, 37, from Hercules, Calif. "It's a horrible story, but it's a universal story."

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"I want show other alumni that they too can gave back to the school," Ray said. "We must continue to move our university forward." "It's so awful, I didn't believe it. I thought there must be another explanation," said an older white woman who did not want to give her name for fear of how she would sound. She asked Ray whether the killer was mentally ill; Ray answered that he was a normal white man for the times. "It's just epic what was done to him," said Brian Heffron, a producer for the L.A.-based school television station KLCS. "It shows how twisted and tortured and ugly the atmosphere had to be. I admire his empathy and his ability to move on." White Privilege Conference - Pella, IA: "I wish every American had an opportunity to see the play. The play redefines the meaning of the power of forgiveness and spirituality." "Carl Raye hopes to influence a generation of African American children at his Courtland Esteem School." ...Ray started a Youth Opportunity Program in East Palo Alto in 1968, and began recruiting youth to attend historically black colleges in 1970...." "Carl Ray knows what to wear to Denny's. His Tuskegee University sweatshirt." "...Ray escorted four boys -- all family friends -- on a low-cost tour of Southern colleges...." "...Your message of hope forgiveness and love enriched the spirit of our school..."

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