Hard to imagine that 50 years ago Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his iconic "I Have A Dream" speech on the mall in Washington, D.C. It's hard to imagine because I wasn't there. I'm a product of the dream, not a purveyor of it. Still, in this day and time it is wonderful that on the level of individual responsibility, African-Americans have made many great strides.
Did Dr. King dream of having someone like President Barack Obama take office in his lifetime? Had he lived to see it through I'm sure he would have thought we sped up the day. Still, collectively African Americans have a tough time. Data can't lie. It can be drawn to tell a story, but it is whatever it is. By and large the Black community in America struggles quite a bit. It is reported that there's double the trouble for every imaginable ill that could plague a group of people. Highest number of people infected with fatal disease...check, highest number of unemployed people during period of recession...check, highest number of people in prison during the great prison surge of the millenium...check, highest number of women getting abortions...check. You name it, if it's a negative, African Americans have it in excess as a collective group.
On the other hand, disparagingly low numbers occur where there are positive achievements. Lowest number of high school graduates...check, lowest number of people enrolled in 4 year universities...check, lowest number of students passing reading and math exams...check. It's unfortunate that African American predecessors fought, bled, and died to have these vitiated results. Sure, athletes and celebrities are making a big impact on America's culture. And, even politicians are beginning to make a mark. Black democrats are proud of Barack Obama, Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice. In a few years they may even collectively embrace someone like Ben Carson. Still, it's remarkable that freedom came and left entropy in its wake.
Has America's chance to square up with Blacks passed? The Reconstruction was dwindled away by watered down, horribly destructive policies. The Civil Rights Movement came and went with policy in place, but hearts and attitudes divided. So, here the elephant sits in the room brooding over no one noticing him. There is still a great divide. If killing Trayvon Martin for walking home was legal, then what have we really gained? If there are still recognizable disparities in any capacity, then we have not achieved the dream, by any means. We've become too comfortable. Who will mobilize us? Who will continue the struggle and how?
Al and Jesse are great, but they only fight in obvious ways for causes that are too individualistic. For example, they went after George Zimmerman, as well they should have. But where were they when the first African-American child was shot dead in the streets of Chicago? Why didn't they rally then to make a difference? Where were they when the government said, "Yeah, I'll give the women assistance, but only if the man is nowhere to be found?" That was an injustice. Where were they? Why should people who feel they are not responsible for what happens in Black communities act if the people who say they care only act when it's politically advantageous? Too many times the Black community looks away while they hurt each other, but peek out when an outsider does it. That doesn't fly. Take a stand against the killing period, not just when someone of a different nationality does it. If the lives of Black youth are valuable, aren't they always valuable?
Sadly, the NAACP is still fighting the fight of the 60's era. They do a lot of good work, but how do they not rally to end the high rates of abortion and AIDS in the Black community? How do they see our children killing each other and not step in to stop the bleeding? Our fight has mutated. Now Blacks have rights, but they don't engage them, protect them, or value them. Do they know them and do they understand what's at stake if they are lost? Ask a gun-toting teenager walking in the streets of Chicago protecting their "territory" if they know the 2nd Amendment and how it is relevant to them. What I've always loved about King's legacy is that he took responsibility, even to the point of death. The new Civil Rights movement is about collective responsibility. All of us, as well as non-Black Americans will need to step in and help. We can live together and help each other. In 1876 three (3) million African-American slaves were freed to live and make a way for themselves as best they could. Today 47 million are here trying to carry that out. While it used to be that the sick underbelly of slavery's legacy could be hidden in the darkest corners of society, that time is no longer. We all need to get in the fight, as the plight of the Black community has become the plight of a Nation.
