Page Updated Tuesday, July 26, 2005
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The Civil Rights Movement
headed up by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
initially focused on public accommodations, but within a few short years Dr. King cast the
light of truth on many American injustices. Not unlike Booker T. Washington, Dr. King
believed in education, and the power to be found in a keen mind, but his non-violent
movement struck at the very heart of American racism. Dr. King struck racism in
the pocketbook with the Montgomery Bus boycott. The boycott impacted the economy
way beyond the loss of revenue to the bus line. In a capitalistic society the
consumer dollar carries a lot of weight.
Freedom Riders, and Voter Registration workers swarmed into southern cities, and some northern cities to help push open the door of unalienable rights. There were rules, however, and all associated with Dr. King's efforts had to agree to remain peaceful despite the violence brought against them, and they did. Demonstrators were spat upon, had rocks thrown at them, were attacked by police dogs, beaten repeatedly by the local and state police, and murdered by cowards that slide into the night.
When Dr. King, himself, was gunned down not only did the Civil Rights Movement falter, but so did the aspirations of black Americans that change could take place. Those elected during the sixties to public office were not re-elected in the seventies. The white flight to the suburbs took with it the economic development resources and abandoned the cities. There was not to be a strong black political voice until the emergence of Harold Washington in Chicago decades later.
Throughout U.S. history there have been those national black leaders that called for black Americans to exercise their political power by affectively using the VOTE to correct the wrongs of racism. These messengers have preached economic power yet black Americans continue to do business with those that do not do business with them. Instead of black business ownership being on the rise; it is on a continual decline. So when the racist proclaims the progress made in race relationships you be sure to point out the absence of substantial black economics. Our leaders, unfortunately, have truly been too few:
William Still; David Walker; Frederick Douglas; W.E.B. Du Bois; Booker T. Washington; Harriet Tubman; Elijah Muhammad; Malcolm X; Martin Luther King; Marcus Garvey; Bessie Coleman; Harold Washington; Coleman Young Medgar Evers; and Jesse Jackson
Despite decades of pleading black Americans, like most Americans, can't seem to find the time to cast their vote for those that bring about change.
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
Harold Washington, 
although not
the first black mayor of a major U.S. city, Harold Washington was probably the most effective. Despite his
successes he was troubled after his re-election that he had gained no more than 23%
of the
white vote, but within the black community he had the support of over 90%. Given more time
maybe he would have won over more white political support, but during his lifetime most
would agree he earned the respect of his adversaries if unsuccessful in getting
white Americans to step away from their racism.
That was an interesting election. Harold's opponent was straight out of the loony bin but white Americans voted for him anyway despite Harold Washington's records of achievements.
RACISM FIRST is the true motto of the United States.
Is there no hope? Of course there is. Vote. It is really just that simple, and that complicated. Everybody must become a registered voter, and then vote. But beyond the vote we must hold our elected officials accountable. They work for us!!! Senators, Representatives, Governors, and Mayors work for those that elect them. Not special interest groups, the rich, the media, and the "privileged class". Democracy demands citizen participation to remain a government by the people and for the people. Not to vote is to invite second class citizenship. Not to hold elected officials accountable is to ensure racism will prevail. Or, leave this land as so many black Americans have done. One day the Midnight D.J. may do just that.
