Rev. Martin L. Deppe Papers

Pre-Breadbasket is the description used by Rev. Deppe to describe materials and actions related to Chicago's Civil Rights Movement. Among the topics are the Black Power Movement; the Chicago Freedom Movement; school discrimination and the Willis Wagons; and urban unrest. Some of Rev. Deppe's original folders contained documents related to multiple events for a topic. The archivist has expanded these folders to provide researchers with a better idea of the contents. All of these folders retain the original file name at the beginning of the description.

Subseries B brings together the organizational meeting, planning and operational materials for Operation Breadbasket. This includes their Programs, Spoke and Hub subcommittees and the Steering Committee. The documents vary per folder but can contain correspondence, covenants, "Don't Shop" flyers, employment and product information, meeting notes, memos, news clipping and newsletters from Operation Breadbasket, SCLC or CCCO. Rev. Deppe served on the Steering Committee and his annotations can be found on the documents.

Subseries C includes the documents used to negotiate agreements or covenants with the business targeted by Operation Breadbasket for employment and economic opportunities. Among the best represented are A&P, Certified Grocers of Illinois, Jewel, National Tea Company and Walgreen's and reflect Rev. Deppe's work alongside fellow ministers.

Subseries D contains files that Rev. Deppe kept on Black banking, Black Panthers and other issues and events that were contemporaneous with Operation Breadbasket.

Subseries E contains files that Rev. Deppe kept to monitor the state of Black enterprise, Chicago racism and the emergence of Operation PUSH/Rainbow PUSH following the demise of Operation Breadbasket.

Subseries F consists of research and notes from interviews conducted by Rev. Deppe with Operation Breadbasket participants and other contextual research for his book. This series also contains Rev. Gary Massoni's contemporaneous 1971 dissertation, Perspectives on Operation Breadbasket.

Subseries G contains textual drafts, image clippings and production notes for Rev. Deppe's book.

Rev. Deppe joined the Chicago chapter of CALC shortly after its founding in 1965. Over the next 31 years, Rev. Deppe would serve as chair of the Chicago chapter and on its Board of Directors. Subseries A contains the administrative planning materials created by the Chicago Chapter. These materials include, Satyagraha, the primary newsletter for the Chicago Chapter and other publications. The early issues of Satyagraha were created by the Nonviolent Training and Action Center (NVTAC) who would merge into the Chicago Chapter of CALC. A few other NVTAC news sheets were retained as found with the newsletters. The Steering Committee meeting materials often contain action flyers and information from partner organizations. In 1989, the Chicago Chapter of CALC restructured its Board to reflect a multicultural and multiracial society and the focus of its initiatives to combat racism.

Subseries B contains information about the projects and actions that the Chicago Chapter undertook, locally, nationally and internationally. As with the national organization, the Chicago Chapter was active with Vietnam War opposition, anti-apartheid efforts, human rights issues and a variety of disarmament initiatives ranging from opposition to Honeywell weapons and General Electric's B-1 Bomber to advocating for a nuclear weapons freeze. Through the efforts of Chicago Chapter, Chicago passed an ordinance to become a Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone on March 12, 1986 during the tenure of Mayor Harold Washington.

Among the planning materials in this series, there are numerous documents that highlight Rev. Deppe's participation. These include the speech Rev. Deppe gave at the 1971 Citizens Conference on Ending the War in Indochina held in Paris along with statements by other attendees and his handwritten notes and his testimony to Senate Foreign Relations Committee against Ernest Lefever in 1981.

In 1992, the Chicago Chapter of CALC shifted its focus from a multi-issue organization and committed itself exclusively to an anti-racism agenda. This work began under the Racial and Economic Justice task force. Early racial awareness workshops were called the Racial Rehab Institute (RRI) and the Racial Reduction Institute (RRI). The Anti-Racism Institute grew out of these initiatives.

Founded in New York City, the governing structure of CALC was originally guided by the national staff with a National Steering Committee. As an action-oriented movement of individuals and groups, however, CALC soon sought to decentralize and empower its local chapters. In 1971, Trudi Schutz Young was hired in to work on field development that would create more cohesion between local, regional, and national staff through training, frequent communication, and periodic conferences. The Regional Field Staff program began in January of 1973. At this time, the organization shifted to a structure where a National Assembly composed of chapter, action group and at-large members met annually to serve as the highest decision-making body in CALC. A National Interim Steering Committee and regional field staff coordinated the work of the local chapters between these annual gatherings. The national office in New York City, however, continued administrative and program support for CALC's network of local groups, raised funds and represented the organization in public forums and national coalitions.

Rev. Deppe worked to develop the Regional Field Staff program and served on its committee from 1972-1977. As part of this role, Rev. Deppe was active with the National Organizing Conferences and the National Steering Committee. Subseries C includes the meeting and planning materials as well as publications and posters produced by or used by these CALC groups.

Given the mission of these committees to unify and connect CALC groups and actions, these materials are related to those produced by the Chicago Chapter. It is recommended that researchers also consult CALC Subseries A.

Subseries D contains the projects and actions undertaken at national and regional levels. These include Vietnam War opposition, anti-apartheid efforts, human rights issues and a variety of disarmament initiatives ranging from opposition to Honeywell weapons or General Electric's B-1 Bomber to advocating for a nuclear weapons freeze. The Chicago Chapter also participated in these initiatives and it is recommended that researchers also consult CALC Subseries B.