This week marked the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. As I thought about that time in our country’s history, images of protestors being beaten by police flashed in my mind. So too did snapshots of vicious dogs, solemn but steadfast demonstrators marching, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaking.
As I reflected on that time, I reminded myself that that particular era represented so much more than what pictures are able to illustrate or even what books or orators are able to communicate.
That particular time represented a fierce determination and a deep desire to have more and be more in life because the vast majority of our community not only knew what our capabilities were, but they also believed we deserved more.
So even during a time when obstacles were ever-present and discriminatory practices were the law of the land; our people knew we deserved better, they knew we were capable of having more, and they fought for it…they fought for their beliefs. Some died for the cause.
These warriors of justice, many of whom we will never know their names, were so committed to what they knew was the right thing to do; they willingly sacrificed their lives for the greater good. They died for you and me to have the freedoms we have today.
I wasn’t born during that time, but I often remember when my mom would speak about the ‘60s in particular.
“There was an expectation we had,” she would say. “We were expected to be the best we could be individually, and do the best to represent ourselves collectively.”
My mom would also talk about the mentality of Blacks at that time. She would explain to me how material things weren’t a major focus, but rather integrity, maintaining strong familial ties, and working hard and furthering one’s education were top agenda items for the majority of Blacks. Of course gaining equal rights was also a principal concern.
During a celebration earlier this week at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library in Austin, four presidents: Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama honored various civil rights heroes and Johnson, who signed the Civil Rights Act.
Carter and Obama made statements that resonated with me.
“Too many people are at ease with the still existing disparity,” said Carter regarding racial disparities. Obama’s statement complimented Carter’s, “We cannot be complacent. Our rights, our freedoms – they are not given. They must be won.”
Then I was reminded of my mother’s comment about the positive, forward-thinking mentality many Blacks had during the ‘60s. As I pondered on the disparities Blacks currently face relative to things such as quality health care, access to healthy food, and employment inequalities, I began to see parallels between the mentality of some Blacks today and complacency.
Here’s an example:
I understand the challenges many lower-income people face on a day-to-day basis and it is something I am particularly sympathetic to. Working to eliminate such challenges and educating the community are among our main objectives at the Recorder. However, as difficult as challenges can be, the mentality of some Blacks is simply off skew.
I know of Blacks who are poor. These individuals literally do not have money to pay all their bills or provide the basic needs of their children. However, when they get their tax refund, they purchase luxury vehicles that will more than likely be repossessed by year’s end. I also know of people who rather than use any additional money they may receive throughout the year (or at tax time) to get ahead on bills or buy necessities for their household, instead go on a shopping spree and purchase brand-name items some very wealthy people wouldn’t purchase.
There’s nothing wrong with doing things to make yourself feel good, but there needs to be a higher sense of personal accountability. Not everything is “The Man’s” fault. We have to be accountable for the unwise decisions we make and we have to change our mentalities. This is especially important during the current crises our community is riddled with. Everyone is talking about leadership and how more people have to step up to improve the community. That is true, but we also have to do better individually.
As we reflect on the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, I urge everyone to encourage someone else to be less complacent. Let’s help each other adopt the mindset of those during the civil rights era and maintain a positive and effective mentality. Let’s go back to the basics. It worked for our community then and it can work for us now.
You can email comments to Shannon Williams at shannonw@indyrecorder.com.
