Sanders on Speaking Up, Changing Minds

When Bob Ray Sanders was growing up during the Jim Crow era, a black man would only make the front page of the newspaper for two reasons: killing a white man or sexually assaulting a white woman.

But Sanders, a Fort Worth, Texas native, inspired by the fearlessness of his parents and the Civil Rights Movement, became a journalist - complete with his photo on the front page accompanying his columns for the Star-Telegram.

"They taught me not to be afraid and to speak up and I saw what journalism could do with Civil Rights Movement and helping to change minds," Sanders said. "I told editors and publishers don't ask me a question if you don't want to hear the answer." Writing about a variety of topics including race, the death penalty, criminal justice and more, Sanders' journalism career has spanned more than 40 years across newspapers, television and radio. After graduating from North Texas State University...