In two days African-Americans from across the nation will gather to demand justice and change. But what will be the aftermath of yet another civil rights march? In today’s vlog I discuss my questions and concerns regarding the upcoming gathering.
Justice Or What?
What is the Somali community doing so effectively that they can cause the school district to take away music classes from ALL students in that district? I understand if you don’t want to eat pork, but really? you take away that CHOICE from everyone else because you don’t like it? How is that possible?
How have they influenced the school board so much? by getting themselves elected? is this what you are suggesting for the Black community?
Hi Suzanne,
That is a great question! I was truly baffled when I learned of the school’s district decision. If my child was enrolled in this particular school I would have been very upset as a parent! I think that the administration went to an extreme in eliminating the music program for all students.
Currently the Somali community does not have anyone from their group on the school board of the district. But they are a very cohesive group, and tend to meet with district and school staff to press to get their way. I wonder if the district is afraid of not complying out of worry that bad publicity may result? It is a situation that is being watched closely.
In terms of the African-American community I think the more activist-oriented segments should take a page from the Somalis and other immigrant groups in the sense of learning how to operate within the existing system and use it to your advantage. The progress of (recent)African immigrant communities is fascinating to me, as they are taking a different path than African-Americans and reaping the rewards.
As usual, you are on point, Danielle. I haven’t participated in a march since 1983 when a bunch of students at FSU protested against America’s invasion of Grenada. Marches are pointless and don’t impact the political-economic infrastructure of the U.S. Marches are not proactive and amount to nothing more than asking the person with the boot on your throat to remove it. Guess what? They can’t hear you with all that gurgling anyway.
EXACTLY Alton! At this point the marches and protests are little more than an idle threat. If a group does not have the power to back up their demands then the rhetoric being employed with this march is of no consequence.