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I was not sure what it was about this book that made me pick it up, but I am glad that I did. What intrigues me the most about it is that it was published in 1967 during a socially depressed time for us.  The racial climate was thick with hatred and turmoil.  Yet, although written nearly 50 years ago, its message is as relevant today as any other time.  So little has changed since 1967 to present day.  The social and political issues of 1967 have since been disguised with legislation with appealing titles and strong purposes.  However, those appealing titles and so-called purposes have little to no effect when those it was drafted to protect seek its enforcement.  Those same injustices, inadequacies, and inequalities that our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents faced many moons ago are ever-present today.

So I asked myself, “why is this the case?” Why has it appeared that things have gotten better when in actuality it has not? Immediately, one would say things have gotten better.  We can ostensibly go into any restaurant, attend any college, and live in any neighborhood of our choosing.  I say ostensibly because although we aren’t subjected to the daily reminders of “whites only” when going about our daily lives, we still face a significant amount of hurdles when we are engaging in seemingly race-neutral activities.  Recently, we have seen how difficult it is for a Black person to secure a mortgage in a so-called “good neighborhood”; we have seen poor Black people (or the poor in general) subjected to reverse mortgage or second-mortgage schemes; we have seen racial tensions erupt throughout the country at predominantly white institutions because those who “predominantly” attend those institutions do not feel that those of us of a darker color “deserve” to be there.

With this background, as I read this book one particular quote really stood out to me:“Negroes tended to be the objects rather than the subjects of civic action.  Things are often done for, or about, or to, or because of Negroes, but they are less frequently done by Negroes.”  I tabbed this page, highlighted this quote, read it, and reread it.  That is precisely the problem.  The protests, marches, hashtags, and the video sharing are all great, but to whom is the appeal? In this 114th Congress, which comprises 535 individuals,  there are roughly 46 Blacks in the House and 2 Blacks in the Senate. What exactly do we expect to be done with that kind of representation? We have little to no representation in positions of power to get us what we want and need on more than this surface level that has been repeatedly dog-fed to us.  We have consistently gotten scraps and temporary remedies with no lasting effect.  Presumably, because those degrading signs are no longer present in storefronts, racism, as it existed, is not present and so Blacks do not need the legal protections they were given before–those protections have expired because we are all equal now.  That seems to be the popular view, but that is not my view.

Gaining political power is no easy task.  There are many racial/social issues that must be addressed before we can have adequate political participation, for example, black disenfranchisement due to their criminal history.  Be mindful that the penal systems is purportedly tasked with the rehabilitation of these individuals, so one would think upon completion of their sentences and release, their rights would be restored–that is, if this system actually aims to and successfully rehabilitates, which is debatable and a separate post.  Yet, these individuals remain disenfranchised for a number of years, depending on both legal and individual circumstances, however.  (Similarly, but a separate issue is also if you can’t vote, you can’t sit on a jury pool.  I can go on, but then this post would be never-ending. )  Again, our aim should never be temporary solutions, but that is what we will continue to get with appeals to a Congress that is not representative of you and I–neither physically, socially, or economically.  After all, a white Protestant Republican knows nothing about being Black in this country, the struggles, the adversities…he or she knows nothing.

Although our ancestors fought an amazing fight, their victory only surfaced the racial issues that are faced in this country.  Racism is deeply ingrained in our system of values, and that of more value is the white race.  Racism is ever-present; it is not going anywhere.  Although it may not seem as obvious, when you really sit, think, and compare what has been going on this country since its inception, race is the theme, the common-denominator.  So let’s think about what can we do to become active political participants or support those who choose to become just that because soon the hashtags, protests, and marches will, again, be only a temporary-surface fix.