I remember a conversation I had with a family member when the last episode of Roots ended. He was so incensed at white people at the time that he begged us not to let him out of the house. When I asked why he replied, "Because I'm bound to go upside the head of the first white person I see." He said it with a smile, I remember that distinctly because while he may have been smiling, it was that kind of sick, demented smile which told me even at the young age I was at the time that he was dead serious.
I asked him if he felt all white people were bad if there were any good ones and he said they were all bad. That the words "good" and "white person" didn't go together in any way, shape or form. I didn't adopt his attitude until I was 19 and divestment from South Africa was the battle cry of the land, well New York City anyway. I was a radical militant and had no kind words for anyone of the Caucasian persuasion but I grew up and matured. I realized that I had no right to judge all white people based on the actions of some, especially since I didn't want them judging me.
I knew there were heroes of the Civil Rights movement, that championed the cause, and stood shoulder to shoulder and back to back with Black folk in support of changing the face of this country. I didn't know all their names, it was impossible to learn their names back then and I still don't, but I learned of one today, one I will never forget. His name is Charles Morgan Jr. While you may have heard of him, I never had and I found his speech, A Time to Speak. I found it to be stirring and 100% true. Listen to his words and you let me know if you think he was telling the truth.
Clear pristine truth. "Every citizen who sits in fearful silence." Yes! When you say nothing all you do is enable the spread of that ugly vicious seed. You have to call racism out loud, point black, in the moment...there is always a deafening silence, wide eyes, and reactions of discomfort that follows. I always know then that I've been heard and heard well.
ReplyDeleteVoices like Charles Morgan Jr. added with every other voice helped build a wall of opposition that made progress. But for some reason the volume of those collective voices faded and quit working toward the goal. We must all speak up, speak loudly, and move again toward the goal together.
Amazing post, M. Thank you for sharing. I'd never heard his words before.