Rev. Joseph Lowery, civil rights activist and co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, in 2011. The Washington Post via Getty Images ...

Joseph Echols Lowery was born Oct. 6, 1921, in Huntsville, Ala., and grew up within steps of a Methodist church. His father owned small businesses and his mother taught school part time.

Joseph Echols Lowery was born in Huntsville, Alabama, on October 6, 1921. His father owned a small business, and his mother was a part-time schoolteacher. He married Evelyn Gibson in 1950.

Joseph Lowery, center, marches with Coretta Scott King, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Michael Dukakis, his wife Kitty and Mayor Andrew Young of Atlanta in 1988 during the 25th anniversary of Dr. King's ...

ESSENCE.com talked with civil rights activist, the Reverend Joseph Lowery, for his take on the role that race plays in anti-Obama sentiment–and how much it really matters.