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These people, among many others, made great sacrifices so that we may afford the opportunities we presently have...
Throughout this past March up until now, I have been pondering many issues in Black America.  While there are many issues that I could have written about, why not address a topic that is avoided like the plague in the African-American community? 

I read an article the other week that raised the question of whether or not Black History Month has lost its luster.  The article basically said that, based on the importance (or lack thereof) the media placed on Black History Month leading up to and during the month of February, America has "moved on" from its harsh racial past and that the emphasis that Black History Month places on Black Civil Rights and the negative images and memories that it invokes is no longer needed in today's "post-racial" society.

I then proceeded to ask a few of my friends what they thought about Black History Month this year and a lot of them were upset that the month didn't get as much "shine" as it deserved.  When I asked them why they felt this way, they said "because White folks don't wanna know the truth about all that Black people did to get the country to where it is today."

But wait...do WE want to know the truth about Black History Month? How many of us know more about the Black struggle in America than just Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks on the bus? Who has read any of the great literary works of W.E.B. Du Bois, Marcus Garvey, Booker T. Washington, or any of the many great minds of our past?

Black people love to talk about Civil Rights as if its a badge of honor we fight to protect daily, when, in reality, we know absolutely nothing about the struggle.  To be up in arms about the perceived lack of recognition and reverence for a month dedicated to the stuggles and achievements made by our predecessors without a single inclination to pick up a book or educate ourselves to gain a deeper understanding of those people or the social climate in which they fought is a complete show of ignorance, disrespect, and disregard for all that they stood for.

One thing about Black people is that we LOVE to meet...LOVE to discuss issues facing US.  In these discussions, gatherings, seminars, and meetings, we LOVE to refer to the past and what our pioneers did during their time.  The sad part is that if we were to go to college campuses and speak with leaders of prominent Black organizations (on my campus, that would be NAACP, BCPC, MAP, NPHC organizations, etc.), it is highly unlikely that most could tell you any more than surface-level information about those pioneers they LOVE to reference.

Take a moment to think about what this means.  Our pioneers' dedication to something greater for the future is the basis of what we do as human beings in today's world, especially as Black leaders in any capacity, on college campuses or in our careers.  Therefore, if we can't gain an understanding of the HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF BLACK LEADERSHIP through the speeches, literary works, movements, demonstrations, and lives of those that laid the foundation for us, how can we TRULY be effective in our roles leading others?
"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. King hit the nail right on the head with this statement.  How dare we live our lives on the shoulders of these great men and women, yet never think to pay them the respect of educating ourselves about our past?  A widely-known adage states that one should only "speak on what they know."  If this holds true across all aspects of society, when it comes to Black History and the Black struggle for progress in America, a lot of us Black people should KEEP SILENT.
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Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on the night before he was assassinated.
On November 2, 1983, in the White House Rose Garden, President Ronald Reagan signed into law a bill proposed by Indiana Representative Katie Hall, creating a federal holiday honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Many people, nationally and globally, use this day to reflect upon the legacy of a man who fought relentlessly for equal rights and liberties for all mankind.  Some spend the day engaging in service opportunities, and others hold community programs in honor of this great individual. However, one day of good deeds and reflection fails to do King's societal impact justice. 

In many ways, King was the Civil Rights Movement. While many leaders did their part in the push for civil equality (such as Ralph Abernathy and C.T. Vivian), a vast majority would agree that King was the face of civil rights. It is hard to fathom exactly where race relations in America would be today without him.  

Dr. King's messages of love for one another and hope for a brighter future resonated in the hearts and minds of people of all colors and creeds, spearheading a movement that opened many doors for African-Americans and all minorities for generations to come. 

Today, almost 43 years since King's assassination, we take time to look back on his hard work with great appreciation and reverence. The liberties and opportunities we enjoy on a daily basis that go without acknowledgement from us would not even be possible without the sacrifices of leaders such as King. However, one must wonder what Dr. King would think of US...Black America, on this day.
While humorous, the message is clear...
Dr. King spoke of love for one another, harmony and unity. Do we as African-Americans practice this in our families, on our college campuses, in our workplaces...in our CHURCHES, for that matter? Have we been guilty or been a victim of spreading lies, verbally tearing down others, or ostracizing people from our social circles for meaningless, superficial reasons?

It has been said thousands of times before, but it still rings true today: if Black America is to move forward, we shed these "crabs in a bucket" and "I got mine, you get yours" mentalities, and it all starts with YOU, the individual.

Make the decision today to start supporting one another and caring about each other's well-being (even those we do not know), smile and speak as we pass by each other, and make the effort to understand each other, for we all have a different story and we are also not as different from one another as we may want to believe.

The conscious effort must be made each and every day to do these simple things. Then, and only then, will the sacrifices of Dr. King and others not be in vain.
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Race relations have come a long way in the United States over the past few decades.  Monumental policy changes have opened many doors for African-Americans and minorities across the country.  Many of these opportunities for our generation were made possible by the efforts, and sometimes lives, of those that came before us.  Civil rights organizations were instrumental in creating change in the way minorities were treated by society and how we were governed by the American democracy.

One of those civil rights organizations at the forefront of change was the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.  Founded in 1909, the NAACP has been the most influential civil rights organizations in this country.  Since its inception, the organization has fought to protect the rights and civil liberties of African-Americans and other minorities.  Whenever racial issues have arisen, the NAACP has been viewed as the voice of the entire African-American community. The organization today has over 250,000 members in over 2,200 units across the United States. 

While the organization has opened many doors for minorities in the last century, its recent years have been met with a widespread skepticism concerning its future.  The question of whether the organization is needed after the election of President Barack Obama has been asked by many in the African-American community and several others. 

Local NAACP branches have suffered from stagnant leadership which, depending on who you ask, is a reflection of the organization's national leadership.  The overall age of the organization is increasing due to a lack of presence among youth and young adults.  While there are those that feel the organization should simply be put to rest, there are many that believe the NAACP's vision should change as the country has changed over the decade.

In my opinion, the NAACP should go back to the drawing board, internally and externally.  From within, it should re-define their purpose according to the issues of today's world, and this should start from the national leadership and trickle down.  The African-American and other minority communities are much more diverse within themselves than they were during the days of Jim Crow and earlier.  Therefore, the NAACP should diversify its efforts to accommodate a changed society.

The NAACP should also re-evaluate its leadership, from national to local executive boards.  A long-avoided issue in African-American leadership is the unwillingness of the previous generation to pass down the torch to the younger.  Whether this is a lack of mistrust or simply wanting to maintain their position within a circle of power and privilege, it is not advancing the situation of the African-American people.  If the leadership is too stagnant, it is time for members to demand fresh, new perspectives on how to effectively serve their communities and cultivate the next world leaders.

From an external aspect, the NAACP needs to diversify their voice in the eyes of the media.  The only people the general public sees in regards to issues that involve the NAACP is Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, and they are not even the spokespeople for the organization.  While the message should be most important, the choice of messenger can also help or harm the impact of the organizations messages and initiatives.  This is why new faces must step to the forefront, preferably younger faces, to connect with the younger generation.

To conclude, there are many that still believe the organization has a rightful place in today's America.  The racial inequalities and institutional barriers that minorities are still faced with on a daily basis are well-documented, and the NAACP still fights the good fight for an even playing field for all minorities to prosper and grow as equals with our Caucasian counterparts.

I honestly believe the NAACP is well-aware of their current situation. They are aware of the fact that the foundation of their 101 year-old house is getting weaker by the moment. 

How they plan to renovate their house is anybody's guess.
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