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Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Update~ 50th Anniversary March is History-Now What?

The right to childhood should be protected
TheSkeptikOne: 50th Anniversary March is History-Now What?
 It's done, we marched, we shouted, we sang, we cried, we vented, some of us shared our memories of the first march, many of whom, like me, were alive, but too young to take part. Others who took part, wanted and desperately needed to recapture the moment. We needed to feel the energy. For whatever reason, we were compelled to be there. We needed to believe we were making a difference, again, and that people were listening to us, and that great things such as the 1964 Civil Rights Act were just around the corner, maybe this time signed by a Black President. That would truly be history and fulfillment of the dream as well as a direct answer to those determined to resurrect Jim Crow and nullify the rights of all minorities once again.
Now what indeed?  Let me say right now, If President Barack Husein Obama doesn't turn talk into action after his speech at the Lincoln Memorial today I'm going to be pi$$ed.  I never expected President Obama to be the President for/of Black Folks and only Black Folks, but never did I dream he would be the President for/of everybody except black folks.  It's time for President Obama to channel his inner African/American and do something about the condition of a race of people who are under constant attack.

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. King was not referring to people when he made this statement, he was referring to a system of, institutional racism.
 In other words, I've seen and heard instances where the phrase "content of their character" is often used to implicitly reinforce one's prejudices and preconceived notions of a particular group. During my brief lurkings at the Free Republic, I ran into constant examples of people denigrating a certain segment of black Americans as criminal-minded and predisposed to general thuggery, only to claim that they were merely looking at "the content of their character, as Dr. King would have them do."
The Trayvon Martin case is the perfect example of when white people judge black people. George Zimmerman, his defense (sic) team,  and the all female, 0% African American jury viewed unarmed teen Travyon Martin as a threat.  Compared to Antoinette Tuffs, who viewed heavily armed Michael Brandon Hill as a human being.


We still have a long way to go to reach the American Dr. King preached about about.  The Trayvon Martin case is another reminder that black life still has no value in America. He is our generation's Emmett Till. 

I agree with these reflections of a Clark Atlanta University student posted on facebook : "We need to step it up, get out there & stand up for what we believe in....because its one thing to talk about it but we need to BE about it!"

Martin Luther King, Jr  believed that radical activism, even at the risk of arrest, was more important than moderation and compromise. Principle over popularity.

Ain't gonna let nobody turn me around,  because we have a mighty long way to go before the dream becomes a reality.

*Long Sigh*

2 comments:

t. powell said...

I agree with everything you said, except PBO is not in the position to make radical change. Dr.King never relied on politicians, nor endorsed them.
Dr.King engaged in highly organized protests, sit-in & boycotts, not only announcing but organizing & participating. We don't have that in any of today's civil right leaders, just talk. It's going to take someone to take the helm and lead this or it will fail.

Redeye said...

"It's going to take someone to take the helm and lead this or it will fail."

It's going to take someone with the courage and the fortitude to take the helm and lead this, because you know the powers that be will go after them like white on rice. Ask former Governor Don Siegelman and Jessie Jackson, Jr.

I am HOPING the young people like the Dream Defenders step up to the plate, because the old heads are old and tired.

Thank you for reading and commenting. You don't have to agree with everything I say to be welcome here. :)