By Fred L. Jones, Jr.
Eagle Staff Writer
In today’s world of social media and self-promotion, it is very easy for an individual or a given group of like-minded people to create and promote platforms in today’s very troubled society. Whether these platforms or processes are encouraging to society or totally condemning society, the world wide web has given us access to having a voice on the global stage.
The early civil rights movements didn’t have that kind of stage. Malcom X and Martin Luther King, Jr., made monumental contributions to the racial climate of America with very little self-promotion and no social media. These iconic leaders sometimes had only a street corner, but their voices were heard across the entire world, and they influenced change in a country that had a storied history of racism and division.
Where are the Malcom’s and the Martin Luther’s today? In the wake of all the prejudice and racism that is wide-spread throughout this county – called the United States of America (imagine America really United), where is the African American church? Where are the entities that are supposed to be designed to handle resolutions and conflict in the un-united cities of America?
There was a time when African Americans would unite for the cause. But now, many simply hide behind keyboards and voice minimal opinions or they use fictitious names on blogs to maintain their privacy or protect themselves from exposure, while making outrageous comments with no substance or supporting of facts.
It’s time – more than ever – for a true leader to stand tall and cry loud. Is there a Malcom or Martin among us? America will continue to fail unless we, the people, unite in strength and unity.
Millennials are often looked at as valiant in effort, but not mature enough to take on the challenges of society. If you truly believe that, then you are a part of the problem. If there is a Malcom or a Martin, he or she may very well be among them. If the African American race wants to erase racism then we cannot discredit the voices of the ones crying out in the wilderness.
The church was once a stronghold in the community for change and social justice, but times have changed as has some of the current leadership. There was a time when everything went through the church when it came to politics – within or concerning our communities – or activism – which organized and mobilized the incredible movements of yesterday. Has the African American church lost its zeal to fight for what’s right in its own backyard? Will the real church please stand up?
As tensions continue to grow in America the people of color need a true leader to rise from the ashes of defeat unafraid of confrontation or intimidation, willing to stand tall no matter how strong the storm, and endure the race no matter how tired they become. Is there a Malcom or Martin among us?
