Friday, March 29, 2024

Reflections On The March On Washington.

September 6, 2013 by  
Filed under News, Opinion, Politics, Weekly Columns

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(ThyBlackMan.com) If nothing else, the anniversary of the March on Washington has encouraged discussion and debate on a plethora of issues that might otherwise not have been examined.  Not the least of these is the impact of integration on the black community.  Most of the people with whom I have spoken feel that integration has decimated the Black community; drawing off all the talent, and role models as well as devastating black owned businesses as Black folks left and shopped elsewhere. 

Those who espouse this sentiment have a valid point.  But I’m always quick to point out that desegregation was absolutely crucial to the liberation of our people. German prisoners of war were treated better in the South than Black50th-anniversary-march soldiers fighting for America. Lynchings were commonplace. We tend to focus on the problems of today and forget how horrible things have been.

As to the new class segregation that has arisen within the black community, the only answer I have for right now lies in the churches.  So called “silk stocking” (Middle class) churches can do more partnering with smaller inner city churches to reunite children of the Diaspora.

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Watching footage of the original Washington march and the other marches that precipitated so much barbarity, I’m always struck by the amazing courage, grace, power and dignity of those who were involved.  I cannot help wondering what would be required to communicate to our sagging pants wearing, semi- literate young people that they are the heirs to that same courage dignity and grace.   If these young people understood that they are directly connected to such dignified and fearless heroes, could they possible gun one another down in the streets of our cities?

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I found it a tad ironic that the greatest beneficiary of the Civil Rights Movement, Barak Obama, made such an eloquent speech on the continuing need for economic justice for African Americans as if he were a bystander hoping the president would do something.  Mr. Obama, you are the president.  Maybe you could put half the energy you’ve put into appeasing racist republicans into helping your core constituency, BLACK FOLKS!

Staff Writer; William Griggs 

To view more of this talented brother work, head over to; http://www.WlliamGriggs.net.


Comments

2 Responses to “Reflections On The March On Washington.”
  1. Papacool says:

    As we celebrate the March on Washington, we find ourselves at a serious crossroad. Since this year marks the 50th Anniversary of the March, we need to realize that most people that made this event possible are entering into the final stage of their lives. The younger generation find themselves at a loss since they benefitted from the results of the Civil Rights Movement without ever living through the rough parts. If the movement is to ever gain the respect it deserves, it will be up to the Elders of the movement to communicate their experiences to the youngsters, thus becoming the teachers of history. Certain aspects such as segregation, discrimination, and outright violence occurred on a level that most of the young generation will find almost impossible to believe. While I am aware of the progress that has been made, it is safe to say that we still have a long ways to go before all aspects of the Dream can be achieved. Nothing in this life was worth having without someone sacrificing themselves so that just one person could have it better. All of the lives lost through trying to gain equality have not been in vain, as I for one can say I thenk God for each and every one of them. Living in the South gave me a firsthand look at the real world and things that occurred in the GOOD OLD DAYS. Before Trayvon, there was James Byrd in Texas and a teenager named McDonald in Alabama that was part of the lynch brigade. I could not end this without thanking the women of our race who stood by our men during the times going back to slavery until now. Courage is more than a mere word when it comes to describing what these people went through. I also give a shout out to the publications of Jet and Ebony as they made sure that acts of injustice were exposed to their readers and were instrumental in ensuring that the movement and its participants were never forgotten. If we let the lack of knowledge be the reason for our younger generation’s justification of their lack of respect for each other and themselves progress on the societal front, we only have ourselves to blame. Peace out, Papacool.

  2. The Pterodactyl says it all about racism, income inequality, Obama and March on Washington here

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TeyT2ZXAMc

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