Over the weekend, the world celebrated the life and legacy of the late Rev. Dr.. Martin Luther King, Jr. All over the country, thousands marched just as King did before them to state capitols, city halls and town squares.
But for what?
Back in the day, black men and women marched for an upright and righteous cause. It’s not to suggest blacks today are free and equal, or that they have nothing for which to fight. The new struggle is different.
Not smaller, just different.
No longer are blacks fighting for the right to vote or the right to sit at whatever lunch counter they please.
Now the fight is for upward mobility at Fortune 500 companies. The fight is to break into the 10 percent of the population that controls 90 percent of the nation’s wealth.
While it’s true there is great strength in numbers, people often neglect the power of one. It is with this power that people can each play their part in a revolution that does not need to be televised.
Chris Rock once said in the 1950s and 1960s black people had real leaders like Malcolm X and King, and ever since then blacks have had a bunch of substitute teachers.
In a time where blacks seem to be sitting a round complacently waiting on some great leader, that may or may not be coming, to guide them to the promise land, one may need to look no further than the reflection in the mirror.
Restrictions ban
successful protest
America’s first amendment rights will cease to exist Thursday-for a few hours. During President George W. Bush’s inauguration parade, protesters are prohibited from demonstrating with traditional protest paraphernalia.
The Christian Defense Coalition, an anti-abortion group, is threatening a lawsuit since the Secret Service is prohibiting crosses.
These restrictions are sanctioned as a means to prevent counter-inauguration demonstrations from getting out of hand. Therefore, papier-mâché objects, puppets, mock coffins and props have been banned from the parade route.
Props are the heart of any visible demonstration. They capture attention, speak louder than simple chants and convey messages better than slogans printed on T-shirts.
In addition, anti-war groups are equally upset by the decision to close off large sections of the parade route to the general public. These areas were specially set aside for Bush supporters and contributors.
Counter-inauguration advocates should be infuriated by these so-called safety measures. If the people want to assemble peaceably, they should be allowed to do so.
Without picket signs, puppets and props, demonstrators are just a bunch of angry faces. And their grievances with the government have been successfully suppressed.