You Don't Hear Me Though

I took a break from doing so much exhaustive research and development into blogging not so much because this began as a hobby that took on a life of its own but the analytics did not support my work. This might be because a lot of you are not fans of reading for pleasure, and for others, my words are not encapsulated in a bite-size format unlike the barbecue my family, neighbors, friends, and the like have gotten so accustomed to. (Barbecue Sundays are a 2023 thing. Show me your pictures or simply show up in Springhill Manor one Sunday afternoon to see the smoke and get something to eat).

But this isn't entirely one of those posts. 

What is known is Brother Martin's love of ribs but what if I told you the Poor People's March was scheduled for Juneteenth 1968 in Washington? Why June 19? Why did the US object so fiercely against him as his nonviolence energy entered the geopolitical space as he simultaneously empowered the least among us locally? 

It was time to break up the triple axles of American greed, racism, and avarice, and for many people (yes, they're still living. See your doctors, pastors, local school board members, politicians, business people, bankers, managers, etc.) that was too much. American history was and still is predicated on cut-and-dried victories without acknowledging the missteps (Vietnam and the second Iraq wars) and glossing over those wins that are at best, incomplete such as the Civil Rights Movement. Think about why the straw men and women who are manipulated into indulging into culture wars do so: It's to perpetuate a fairy tale. They are so comfortable with living a lie that the truth that shatters every semblance of what was falsely taught in schools and at home must be suppressed if not outright whitewashed by any means possible, and when it is presented in real time, it offends their wee little feelings. 

Remember the "f**k your feelings" crowd? Me too. 

On everything I love, they are the biggest snowflakes around.

Why June 19?

June 19, 1865 is the date the slaves in Galveston found out they were free - a full TWO years after the Civil War ended. It also signifies the first time in American history Black freedom was officially recognized albeit a limited state as the South detested our independent movements free from the discriminatory glare of white society and politics. By claiming this date as ours, Juneteenth became the catalyst for deeper societal changes which sadly, are still bereft in our nation. It is said that toward the end of his life, Martin had adopted a pro-Black stance as he questioned why he helped lead us into a burning house that integration became. In other words, anytime Black people took a breath it would be construed as political: This idea dates back to President Andrew Johnson and more recently, former Vice President Mike Pence. 

Guess what? The Morehouse man (and greatest Alpha, according to my Alpha Phi Alpha friends) had always been B1. 

The Poor People's March was to organize the least among of us as one massive coalition, and frankly, it terrified the powers-that-be back then just as it did three years ago after the state-sanctioned murder of George Floyd during the coronavirus pandemic when people realized they were being played like cheap fiddles by employers large and small. Unfortunately with his death, the March never materialized; for an America that thought meaningful changes were coming too swiftly for its liking, losing him effectively silenced that movement. Folks resumed being comfortable amid the unpopularity of the Vietnam War and along with some deregulation, the gap between the rich and poor is now a chasm. It also didn't help that the more privileged chose to align themselves with their racial groups more than the promise of a few lines in the I Have a Dream speech that gets trotted out every January 15 or to beat back accusations of racism (see FL Gov. DeSantis) by opening segregation academies and the massive growth of bedroom communities caused by white flight (ex. Bryant/Benton, Cabot, Conway). 

As I mentioned a few years ago, the United States of America was cool with civil rights albeit at a glacial pace. What was deemed unacceptable is demanding silver rights as restitution for state-sponsored abuse economically, legally, and yes, even spiritually. 

Furthermore, taking our dollars out of the hands of those who devalued us and redirecting those same bucks into our local communities and businesses was too much for a nation that witnessed so much upheaval during a decade. Black unity then - and today - was perceived as the biggest threat to a facade of patriotism when the rest of the world knew it was bull. If you disagree, read some of the words from FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover about the most pressing issue of his day (and mind).

It turns out that bullies don't like the light shone upon them.

But you still don't hear me though. 

The work is still incomplete at best, and for many, it will remain that way until Jesus returns for that church with neither a spot nor wrinkle. In the meantime, why not work at being more Christlike? Is it too hard as it takes us out of our comfort zones where we are not centered as the GOAT? Hate to break to some folks, but having a heart full of hate and a mouth (or social media post) overflowing in Scriptures isn't the way to eternal life. Until we get that through our thick skulls and over the rote and routine and performative parts of religion, we resemble the Saducees and Pharisees instead of those people clearly set apart to take up the cross and follow Him.