"The solution to racism is love-ism," he said as he outlined his experiences during the Civil Rights Movement and emphasized the importance of continuing the changes being made towards equality.
Taylor grew up in Philadelphia, Pa., and was a legal clerk serving in the Army. After being stationed in Korea, Taylor moved to Phoenix, Ariz., where he became a radio personality known as "Mr. Chips" for 30 years.
Taylor was affiliated with the Black Panthers and remembers an instance in which an armed Black Panther protest was met with giant Army tanks from the government. They demanding the members unarm themselves and surrender. After realizing that he was outnumbered by the strong forces of government, he developed a non-violent approach to his protests and missions.
"You're not going to beat the system," Taylor said. "The best you can do is become part of the system, make points and do the best you can. The only way to change the system is to work within the system."
Taylor believes the reason for slow changes since the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s is because of individuals' hesitance to forgive for the past. He believes in God's grace and mercy towards everyone and doesn't understand why it is so hard for citizens to show grace and mercy towards one another.
Taylor acknowledged the existence of slavery in the United States. However he doesn't believe it is right for ancestors of slaves to use that as an excuse to get handouts. He wants everyone to incorporate forgiveness and make their own place in the world based on their work ethic, not the color of their skin.
Taylor said, "The only way you're going to change racism is to learn to love your brothers and sisters as the Bible says." He stressed the importance of looking beyond the color of one's skin and getting to know people before passing judgment.
The Right to Remember project, funded by a grant by ULS Serves, is a special topics Communication class at Southeastern Louisiana University dedicated to preserving the stories of those involved in the Civil Rights Movement.