Time for Action

The landscape and culture of the country of the US is returning to a state of blatant discrimination and systemic injustice. The proof of the return of such Jim Crow and segregation-type ideology is being reported on daily, but not on our daily news. We have to seek out the stories, as they are swept under the rug. For those of us that are affected, us that are Africans living in the rugged terrain of America, these stories must be told and we must fight against injustice and for our rights.

I was appalled when I read the story of the 73 year old man in Massachusetts who was jailed for contempt after not being able to pay a debt for $508. His wife is seriously ill and in the hospital and they live on a fixed income. He was still placed in debtors’ jail after the judge found him in contempt for not having the money. Then, there is the video of a white man demanding a black woman to get to the back of the bus and give up her seat to him while they both traveled on a Brooklyn bus. How about the significant changes to the Voting Rights Act.  The high court struck down Section 4 of the act, which establishes a formula to identify portions of the country where changes to elections must be approved by the Department of Justice. The purpose of that section was to ensure that minority voters were allowed to vote without impediment. And as soon as that section of the act was changed, Texas , NC, and other southern states that were known for imposing practices to impede minorities from voting, such as poll tests, have changed their requirements for voters. There has also been a resurgence of the KKK holding rallies and making threats, similar to what they did during Jim Crow.

Now, be advised, the incidences are not few and far between and are occurring at such a rapid pace that it is difficult to keep up with them all. And the time has come to stop talking. It is time for action, of an affirmative nature , to address and extinguish the seed of the such discrimination and hatred. The communities must unite to first identify and then stand against those who seek to hold us down.

I can see that taking to the streets will become more prevalent. We must protest these abuses. We must let it be known that we will not allow our people to be treated as second class citizens. We must strengthen our communities and become self-sufficient. We must raise our voices. Let them know that these incidences have not fallen on deaf ears nor to blind eyes. Protest marches and rallies have their place. Now, it is my belief that  we must dig deeper within ourselves and see  our power. It lies within our souls and runs along with the blood of our ancestors pulsating through our veins. It is time for the leaders in our communities to stand up boldly in the face of this beast. Brothers and sisters, exercise discretion in your support of those that seek to hold up down. Remember the whole Louis Vuitton ordeal.  Pay attention to the trends and most of all—remain conscious!

 

 

One Love,

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