Stop Marching! No One Cares.

March 31, 2008 by
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, Society & Culture 

I know it stings to read that. I don’t intend to be a shock blogger but this point was recently raised recently in a reputable African-American magazine and the point hit home HARD. The fact is that marches to protest policy, injustice, and/or the status quo very rarely (if ever) have any cultural significance any more. Put down your picket sign and hear me out.

Fifty years ago when our parents and grandparents marched their gatherings often had similar DNA. The participants in the “core” of the march were usually younger folk (18-40 yrs. old), the marches took place largely in the South, non-violent participation was key, and participants could often expect some type of violent repercussions. It was a beautiful thing to watch! It’s almost difficult to think now that millions of us around the country were able to organize under the motive of a common goal largely without access to resources such as television and print coverage. Sure, some of those things would come with time. That doesn’t change the fact that the Civil Rights Movement is still among the most awe-inspiring paradigm shifts our world has seen. Just the March on Washington alone is recognized as possibly the most iconic symbols for what many of us continue to strive for in America; equal opportunity to participate in a free economy without binds and traps aimed at entrapping us in capitalist slavery.*

Sadly, during the late 70s and 80s drugs became heavy in neighborhoods dominated by Black folks, inflation went rampant, integration underdeveloped our kids who need more TLC in the classrooms, and we sold our movement for a few Fortune 500 minority job quotas and some Black power t-shirts. I don’t deny that we have come a long way. There are thousands more Black business owners than there has ever been (many of whom have profited from minority-based contracts and grants), numerous Black CEOs, more of us attending and graduating from educational institutions that previously excluded minorities, and we dominate many of the major professional American sports….except hockey. Simultaneously, the ratio of A-A’s under the poverty line has NOT gone down since the 50s**, welfare and housing projects along with gentrification have worked in unison to deny most of us even a shot at generational wealth, and the American Prison system has done its fair share of denying fair hiring and voting opportunities to way too many young, innocent brothers.

Think about marches today. When we go out to march and fight all the injustices that face us today the entire setting has about all the bite of a half can of one-week old root beer. Today to “keep the peace”, everyone files for marching/parade permits and goes out for a day in the sun. Don’t forget to grab your fraternity/sorority line shirt and some sun tan lotion. If the event is a national one, it’ll be re-aired on CNN for two days which means it will ultimately involve your favorite Rev. of choice only to be later simulcast on his reality show. That’s only if he isn’t being paid by a corporate backer to cook up a fake march to begin with. If anyone is fortunate, there might be a brother that is freed once he is exonerated from years-old charges but only after his family has spent countless hours and dollars for a lawyer.

I realize that there IS some good that comes from marches these days and that many times the march is just the public symbol of the real work that goes on behind the scenes when an injustice has occurred. I also realize that we all too quickly play the “let’s hold a symbolic march” card instead of getting our hands dirty by getting involved in an initiative that requires dedication, solidarity of thought, and long hours forcing any real, long-term change. You know; something that may actually impact the lives that our children will someday lead. Sadly enough we’re all too worried about “me” to put anything on the line in order to benefit “we”.

* I love America and do support the ideals on which our country was founded. I do not support nor endorse Communism. I do feel that there are several structures, whether intended or otherwise, in America that act congruently to hold those near or below the poverty line in a state of perpetual financial catatonia.

** Based on family income for four and adjusted for inflation and minimum income

 

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Comments

7 Comments on Stop Marching! No One Cares.

  1. Joel on Thu, 3rd Apr 2008 4:52 pm

    2. Yep, with all of the new technologies available now, it’s time for a paradigm shift in voicing opinions. We’re already seeing this happen.

  2. darrell.holmes on Fri, 4th Apr 2008 7:34 am

    3. Good point about the technology Joel. We need to bring back the dedication and dogged perseverance we had about causing change.

  3. Keith on Fri, 4th Apr 2008 8:27 am

    4. That was one hell of an excellent post, Theo. Seriously. And I couldn’t agree more. I’ve been turned off of marches for the most part for quite awhile now, and largely for the reasons you put forth so well in this post.
    Thanks.

  4. theo.johnson on Fri, 4th Apr 2008 11:49 am

    5. Keith, good to hear from you again, but I can’t take credit for this one. I can take credit for find well-versed brothas to post for me ;) .

    Darrell is the original author and I’m glad to have him as a contributor to the blog. I need to find a way to show the author’s name better.

  5. Keith on Fri, 4th Apr 2008 5:01 pm

    6. Understood, Theo. And please pass along my sentiments to him as well. It’s a credit to your site to have folks like that on board with you.

  6. Web Prospector on Sun, 6th Apr 2008 5:15 pm

    7. I should remind everyone that the interest shown the Jena 6 when capped off by that march made a big difference.

    Those young fellas might be under the jail if that march hadn’t happened.

    I don’t know about anyone else but that march on Jena IMO energized a lot of folks.

  7. darrell.holmes on Mon, 7th Apr 2008 7:05 am

    8. Web Prospector, good point. As mentioned, there are instances where marches still make since. I’m glad to see people were able to come together for those young men and I heard from others that it was a wonderful march and distant from most of the perfunctory marches we have today. Thanks for your comments

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