Civil Rights Today
A friend of mine posed the question: "Is the Civil Rights Movement dead?"
In response, I firmly believe that the Civil Rights Movement is far from extinction. Instead, it has evolved into a more complex phenomenon that transcends beyond a black-and-white mentality. We must not forget the historical and heroic efforts of Civil Rights activists, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. However, we have a moral obligation to carry on their quest to ensure that ALL Americans (regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, gender, age, sexual orientation, ability or disability, etc) are equal. The Civil Rights Movement has blossomed into a colorful and vibrant mobilization to help America realize its full potential.
Perhaps the next logical question would be: "Can America ever reach equality for all of its citizens?"
As an idealist, I would like to offer hope to those individuals who are dedicated to the ongoing movement to establish and maintain civil rights. We CAN make a difference. Civil Rights activists have sucessfully fought discrimination and inequality in the past, and I am confident that individuals will continue to push for that point of equilibrium in the future. I hope that marginalized groups can join forces and collectively push for civil rights.
I cannot promise that we will ever truly achieve equality; our society is dynamic and fluid. Likewise, the point of equilibrium is elusive and far from static. As we celebrate successes in the fight to reduce discrimination, we must be mindful to keep the Civil Rights Movement in motion. The dream of equality still lives on today.
In response, I firmly believe that the Civil Rights Movement is far from extinction. Instead, it has evolved into a more complex phenomenon that transcends beyond a black-and-white mentality. We must not forget the historical and heroic efforts of Civil Rights activists, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. However, we have a moral obligation to carry on their quest to ensure that ALL Americans (regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, gender, age, sexual orientation, ability or disability, etc) are equal. The Civil Rights Movement has blossomed into a colorful and vibrant mobilization to help America realize its full potential.
Perhaps the next logical question would be: "Can America ever reach equality for all of its citizens?"
As an idealist, I would like to offer hope to those individuals who are dedicated to the ongoing movement to establish and maintain civil rights. We CAN make a difference. Civil Rights activists have sucessfully fought discrimination and inequality in the past, and I am confident that individuals will continue to push for that point of equilibrium in the future. I hope that marginalized groups can join forces and collectively push for civil rights.
I cannot promise that we will ever truly achieve equality; our society is dynamic and fluid. Likewise, the point of equilibrium is elusive and far from static. As we celebrate successes in the fight to reduce discrimination, we must be mindful to keep the Civil Rights Movement in motion. The dream of equality still lives on today.
posted by MDC Youth Rep at 2:47 PM
2 Comments:
"Miss Sensation" -
You've got some great stuff here, certainly thought-provoking.
After reading the latest post "Civil Rights Today," it left me wondering ... What is equality? Equality, particularly, as it pertains to race, gender, ethnicity, religion, and so on is extremely difficult to quantify.
I don't think quantification of such complex ideas is inherently necessary, but I think most people think the opportunity for equality exists in America because most "racism" and "prejudice" exists in a more embedded implicitly in policies and mindsets. On the other hand, public policy tends to lag behind public thought.
Your crusade to keep the civil rights movement in motion is noble and essential in our country and perhaps of more importance beyond our borders.
Dear Aaron,
Thank you so much for your insightful comments. As always, you impress me with your writing and simultaneously challenge me to expand my perspectives on specific issues. Thank you.
I especially like your comment on defining equality. Civil rights activists often use buzz words like "equality," "race," and "fair." The need to operationalize these ambiguous and fairly abstract terms is crucial to promote shared understanding, and I appreciate your comment! I hope to flesh out my conceptualization of "equality" (and possibly others' definitions) in a future blog.
Thanks for the inspiration,
Lisa
Post a Comment
<< Home