Historical Dream: Deja Vu of The 60s
We are in a dynamic era... Dynamic because the changes required for all people in this United States of America to receive the equality meant for everyone are bubbling up much like the era of the 60s. Remember in the 60s when there was quite a bit of unrest and protest against an overt need for true progress against subjugation, ramped oppression, political manipulation, and nationwide disharmony?! Remember what we learned in school about equality in its 'real' meaning for "all" as proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence? ...We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. In 2020 as in 1960, the fight for equality has grown bolder and resolute. More people of all religious denominations, ethnicities and political interests are needing and wanting to feel that this US is a better place today than 60 years ago.
The disregard of all people’s rights to being seen and treated fairly happens to be an ominous cloud that's never dissipated. What's going on now throughout the country is another production of unfinished business that needs to be addressed. Black men and women and other people of color should not be harassed in public; stopped while jogging in the early part of the day; riddled with bullets by municipal soldiers sworn to protect all within a city; innocently ambushed with a 'no knock' allowance to enter the privacy of one’s home; and the injurious display of might and political power over other human beings to feel superior and righteous. These examples of injustice cause my feelings of deja-vu to kick in. The country has seen change over time in some regard, but obviously not enough.
So many people before this century worked to bring about a balance of equality for all. I am thankful that there are people today who are proactively protesting with peaceful intent to push our US of A to get on a better track for real and lasting progress. I see that 2020 is the time to ramp up the energy and take liberty for all, economic equality for all, and educational opportunities for all to a solid place where slipping back and losing traction towards these goals can't be diminished or evaporated. I say, this deja-vu between the 1960s and todays 2020s should be a measurement against the change in how all people of this nation should be regarded.
Many forefathers and mothers of this country fought for change, elimination of aggression and violence against segments of our society and should be remembered forever. For this reason, I think quotes from leaders before us and currently with us needs to be repeated here in this blog...
John Robert Lewis (1940 - 2020): was an African American politician and civil rights leader who served in the United States House of Representatives for Georgia's 5th congressional district reminds us: “Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime”.
Malcom X (1925 - 1965): was an African American minister, and human rights activist who was a popular figure during the civil rights movement gave us a relevant quote during the 60s that's unfortunately still timely today.... “That's not a chip on my shoulder; that's your foot on my neck”.
Susan B Anthony (1820 – 1906): was an American social reformer and women's rights activist who played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement. A famous quote of her’s to regard is…“I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do, because I notice it always coincides with their own desires”.
Lucretia Motts (1793 – 1888): was as an American social reformer and women's rights activist who played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement. She's remembered for the quote: “Liberty is no less a blessing because oppression has so long darkened the mind that it can’t appreciate it.”
Ida B Wells (1862 - 1931): was an African American investigative journalist, educator, and an early leader in the civil rights movement. She was one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People [NAACP]. One of the many quotes of Ms. Wells was: “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.”
Benjamin Lay (1682 – 1759): was an Anglo-American Quaker humanitarian, author, farmer and abolitionist who was best known for his early and strident anti-slavery activities which would culminate in dramatic protests. One of his quotes was: "Wherever the "seed of truth or virtue" is planted, it will "preserve and carry with it the principle of life."
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (b.1989): is a Latin American politician and educator. She is a member of the Democratic Party, and U.S. Representative for New York's 14th congressional district. Her spirit registers with the consciousness of the equality needed now. A relevant quote of hers is: “True love is radical because it requires us to see ourselves in all people. Otherwise, it isn’t love. Love is revolutionary because it has us treat ALL people as we would ourselves - not because we are charitable, but because we are one. That is love’s radical conclusion”.
Dolores Huerta (b.1930): is a Latin American labor leader and civil rights activist who, with Cesar Chavez, is a co-founder of the National Farmworkers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers. Achieving a basic premise is a goal she quoted... “We must use our lives to make the world a better place to live, not just to acquire things. That is what we are put on the earth for.”
Barack Obama (b.1961): is an African American politician and attorney who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. As a solid leader of the Democratic party he has many quotes. One inspirational that has been repeated by many is: "We should do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children's expectations”.
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