The 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington has made me reflect on why I'm marching this Saturday. As I hear the reflections from my parents, leaders in my church, and others in the community who were there and part of the civil rights movement; it has made me realize how much has changed and how much has stayed the same. The struggle continues, but the hope remains Here are just some of my thoughts this week....
To Honor Those Who Fought for My Freedom
My Mama, like many other parents, taught me history not in my textbooks. She would always say when it came to the Civil Rights movement..."Manda this is not ancient history found only in a book. People all around you fought for your freedom. People of every race, religion,& economic background. People all around you have very real and recent stories of racism, the fight for freedom, and the slow progress towards justice. Take time to ask them their stories and thank them. You wouldn't be here without them; and the struggle will continue. It might look different, but it will carry on." We can celebrate progress, but 50 years is not that long ago. “The Arc of the Moral Universe Is Long, but It Bends Toward Justice” - MLK. March on Washington this Saturday is not commemorative. Fight for economic/racial justice & peace still real.
To Remind Leaders Working on Ending Homelessnes and Poverty the Fight Continues
To all my colleagues and friends who would wake up early on a Saturday in the cold for the Help the Homeless walk in DC; I hope you will join thousands of others for the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. Dr. King was not just about racial justice, but an end to poverty and access to decent affordable housing for all. Isn't that still our fight? Are we keeping the promise?
To Honor The Strangers Who Were Kind to My Family
For years I called two older white people Grandma & Grandpa. It wasn't weird to me. Why? Because they took my family in. They had never even met a black person. But in the late 70s, in Wala Wala, Washington, they opened up their home to my Mom & Dad. My parents immigrated to this country right after the height of the Civil Rights Movement. They were discriminated against because they were immigrants and because they were black; by all races. But strangers took them in. My Dad would tell me growing up...just be kind to strangers. The March on Washington was about bringing strangers together for a more just and caring community. 50 years later I think this is still needed. A call for true compassion to strangers, the foreigner, even our neighbors in need.
