Millions More Movement?-Saturday
I left HU with a sign that I made the night before which stated “This is not just a march, it’s a movement.” That phrase was repeated at least 100 times during the speeches of the day.
I honestly subscribe to this statement and will work hard to create and maintain a movement on HU’s campus and the communities beyond. Many of my peers feel a similar way: inspired to make history, excited to be a part of history, honored to be educated by the diverse list of speakers, as well as encouraged to keep the spirit and action of the movement alive.
Unfortunately, I am worried that this was just a march and it was not a movement. I left the Millions More Movement feeling WAY LESS than inspired. And I am NOT in the minority. I arrived at the National Mall pregnant with hope and anticipation. Even after some personal drama occurred, I didn’t let that deter me from the purpose of the day.
When I returned to the movement, I was determined to stay until I heard the minister speak. I’ve heard that his speeches change lives. I wanted my life to be changed. I heard from my parents who were watching the movement on CSPAN that the minister was to speak at 2:15. Great people including Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Rev. Dr. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, Dr. Dorothy Height, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Wyclef Jean, Erykah Badu, and other community interest groups spoke.
Most, thankfully not all, of the speakers had disorganized thoughts. They mainly complained. It sounded like whining. Everyone talked about all or some of the following: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the disproportionate amount of black people in jail, the youth’s lack of involvement, inadequate education and healthcare, Bill Bennett’s quote, and crooked government. These were good topics. However, no one delved into the greater issues. The speakers were too busy feeding into conspiracy theories and stating the obvious. Most of the crowd seemed satisfied. I think that is a problem with my community. We fall for the hype and don’t do research on the true issues at hand. None of the speakers tried to truly educate the masses that were present. If we continue to be uneducated, nothing will change for better. Things will surely get worse.
Not only were the speakers whining, but they were whining over things that in the grand scheme of things aren’t the focus. It’s like focusing on crying when you bleed instead of on the open wound that is present. While you are busy crying, the wound is healing. If you don’t watch how the wound heals. Something could go terribly wrong. The aftermath could felt for a time to come. Us black people are focusing on the superficial side of politics and policy. While we complain about the ramifications of this action and that action, the political machines are fast at work “fixing” the qualms of American society. Most times, they do not act in the best interest of our community. We cannot continue to fight only after the problem has grown into a monstrosity. We must fight when the problem is still a seed or seedling.
The question that I begged to have answered was: what do we do about all of these issues? No one offered a plan of action. The only plan that was offered was a financial campaign. While I do admit that money makes the world go around, I was looking for a nationally organized campaign to get more minorities into political office, letter writing and call in campaigns for the current bills facing the House and the Senate, a call for accountability for the political machines and their politicians at all levels of government. In addition to the topics that were discussed, I do wish that they talked about what was going on in Africa, mainly the Sudan, as well as the vote on a bill that is coming up this week Wednesday that will reduce student aid. They only talked about African in terms of being raped of its riches, which is true. The only bill that was discussed was the one for slavery reparations. (Shakes head.)
I practiced patience for a long time. Finally the minister spoke. The thirst that I had all day was dying to be quenched. I left just as I came: VERY THIRSTY. I am not going to allow my thirst to continue to go unquenched. What I experienced today does not make me any less committed to the movement. I have just come to the realization that I must be my own inspiration. I must work hard in earnest with my peers as well as my mentors to get the goals of the movement accomplished.
I charge everyone who reads this to do the same. Everyone is looking and waiting for a national figure (or figures). Thankfully, most individuals are not complacent. They see problems and want them to be fixed. However, many are unwilling to commit to the movement. They don’t want to get in the race and pick up the baton of the civil right leaders of old. It seems that people have forgotten that great leaders are not born from a woman’s womb but from adversity, circumstance and deed. Leaders need not be rich or poor, educated at the most prestigious universities or on the inner city streets. Everyone’s individual experiences shape them as a person. We must believe that the next leader can be yourself or your peers. Are you ready to lead?
So…I’m listening to Queen Latifah right now.“U.n.i.t.y., u.n.i.t.y. that’s a unity U.n.i.t.y., love a black woman from Infinity to infinity U.n.i.t.y., u.n.i.t.y. that’s a unity U.n.i.t.y., love a black man from Infinity to infinity”
That reminds me of this awesome quote from the movement yesterday:
“Unity does not me uniformity. True unity occurs when differences are put aside and people work together for the greater good.” –Dr. Dorothy Height
LEAD. UNITE. ACT.
I honestly subscribe to this statement and will work hard to create and maintain a movement on HU’s campus and the communities beyond. Many of my peers feel a similar way: inspired to make history, excited to be a part of history, honored to be educated by the diverse list of speakers, as well as encouraged to keep the spirit and action of the movement alive.
Unfortunately, I am worried that this was just a march and it was not a movement. I left the Millions More Movement feeling WAY LESS than inspired. And I am NOT in the minority. I arrived at the National Mall pregnant with hope and anticipation. Even after some personal drama occurred, I didn’t let that deter me from the purpose of the day.
When I returned to the movement, I was determined to stay until I heard the minister speak. I’ve heard that his speeches change lives. I wanted my life to be changed. I heard from my parents who were watching the movement on CSPAN that the minister was to speak at 2:15. Great people including Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Rev. Dr. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, Dr. Dorothy Height, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Wyclef Jean, Erykah Badu, and other community interest groups spoke.
Most, thankfully not all, of the speakers had disorganized thoughts. They mainly complained. It sounded like whining. Everyone talked about all or some of the following: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the disproportionate amount of black people in jail, the youth’s lack of involvement, inadequate education and healthcare, Bill Bennett’s quote, and crooked government. These were good topics. However, no one delved into the greater issues. The speakers were too busy feeding into conspiracy theories and stating the obvious. Most of the crowd seemed satisfied. I think that is a problem with my community. We fall for the hype and don’t do research on the true issues at hand. None of the speakers tried to truly educate the masses that were present. If we continue to be uneducated, nothing will change for better. Things will surely get worse.
Not only were the speakers whining, but they were whining over things that in the grand scheme of things aren’t the focus. It’s like focusing on crying when you bleed instead of on the open wound that is present. While you are busy crying, the wound is healing. If you don’t watch how the wound heals. Something could go terribly wrong. The aftermath could felt for a time to come. Us black people are focusing on the superficial side of politics and policy. While we complain about the ramifications of this action and that action, the political machines are fast at work “fixing” the qualms of American society. Most times, they do not act in the best interest of our community. We cannot continue to fight only after the problem has grown into a monstrosity. We must fight when the problem is still a seed or seedling.
The question that I begged to have answered was: what do we do about all of these issues? No one offered a plan of action. The only plan that was offered was a financial campaign. While I do admit that money makes the world go around, I was looking for a nationally organized campaign to get more minorities into political office, letter writing and call in campaigns for the current bills facing the House and the Senate, a call for accountability for the political machines and their politicians at all levels of government. In addition to the topics that were discussed, I do wish that they talked about what was going on in Africa, mainly the Sudan, as well as the vote on a bill that is coming up this week Wednesday that will reduce student aid. They only talked about African in terms of being raped of its riches, which is true. The only bill that was discussed was the one for slavery reparations. (Shakes head.)
I practiced patience for a long time. Finally the minister spoke. The thirst that I had all day was dying to be quenched. I left just as I came: VERY THIRSTY. I am not going to allow my thirst to continue to go unquenched. What I experienced today does not make me any less committed to the movement. I have just come to the realization that I must be my own inspiration. I must work hard in earnest with my peers as well as my mentors to get the goals of the movement accomplished.
I charge everyone who reads this to do the same. Everyone is looking and waiting for a national figure (or figures). Thankfully, most individuals are not complacent. They see problems and want them to be fixed. However, many are unwilling to commit to the movement. They don’t want to get in the race and pick up the baton of the civil right leaders of old. It seems that people have forgotten that great leaders are not born from a woman’s womb but from adversity, circumstance and deed. Leaders need not be rich or poor, educated at the most prestigious universities or on the inner city streets. Everyone’s individual experiences shape them as a person. We must believe that the next leader can be yourself or your peers. Are you ready to lead?
So…I’m listening to Queen Latifah right now.“U.n.i.t.y., u.n.i.t.y. that’s a unity U.n.i.t.y., love a black woman from Infinity to infinity U.n.i.t.y., u.n.i.t.y. that’s a unity U.n.i.t.y., love a black man from Infinity to infinity”
That reminds me of this awesome quote from the movement yesterday:
“Unity does not me uniformity. True unity occurs when differences are put aside and people work together for the greater good.” –Dr. Dorothy Height
LEAD. UNITE. ACT.
posted by SdotK at 9:55 AM
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