My Reflective Consideration Regarding Social and Conscious Change

I was born just two months before "the unanimous ruling in the landmark civil rights case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas [1]." I attended a one-room segregated school in a small community outside of Atlantic City, NJ, during my first two years of formal education. I received an "F" grade in social studies because I refused to believe my third-grade teacher when she informed the class that the "Africans were better off as slaves than to stay in Africa". I was suspended, during my third year in high school because I was willing to stand up for social injustices, such as women's rights. I am sharing this information within reflective consciousness because I believe we must consider how to address our primary divide, race. So, let me share my story.

Strenght in your story:

I recall stories of my grandfather, the Jamaican Maroon that was enslaved in America. There was the story of how his son resisted his father's status under the banner of Marcus Garvey. I learned about "The Struggle" from family members that attended the March on Washington, and how my father pressed his way through two years of resistance before he became the first man of color to join our volunteer fire department; and how he encouraged me to be the first elected female on the Fire Department Board.

My historical lineage motivated me to be vigilant over communities that were systematically marginalized and were not allowed a level of socio-economic resilience. This was due to my becoming an adult during the '60s and '70s which presented me with an indelible response that has prompted me to write this discussion. I am once again challenging myself. When did I stop trying to increase social and conscious change? When did I stop pushing through such barriers that now permeates our society?

I was motivated to enhance social changes in the United States because prior to then, my grandfather, a part of the African diaspora holocaust, my father a recipient of the American apartheid, nor I had ever experienced the total liberties of American life. Always in locations of resistance, I ask myself, where did I (collectively) stop pushing towards the goals of liberty? Why is there a resurgence to push back on my inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? After all the work that I have done in order to accomplish natural liberties, it is clear that there is a resistance to enable a historical lineage of limited citizenship. Yet, I stand to say that I will hold on to my ability to claim my rightful place as an American because I believe that we Americans have held on to our historical pain for too long. And that it has imploded into national anxiety.

We all seem to be perplexed and concerned about what are our next steps that will sustain the American belief system of "One nation under God". The resurgence of institutional separatism must be called out; we are headed towards the backwoods from once we've come. I am speaking to this because I spent this past weekend with my dear friend in Atlanta and was in conversation with her adult children. They began discussing our current crisis and attempted to philosophically create levels of solutions. As they began to speak, I realized they were not aware of the past two centuries methodological constructs that sustained persons of color. For example, The Negro Silent Protest Parade where 10,000 African Americans walked along Fifth Avenue starting at 57th Street in New York City took place on July 28, 1917, to protest lynchings [2]. They were not aware that from 1942-1946 there were almost 120,000 Japanese American that was engaged in forced internment camps during World War II [3]. Nor were they aware that from 1864 to 1869, the Chinese Workers Railroad Project was the primary reason for this nations railroad system [4]. This made me question, Where did I go wrong? How did I allow a whole generation to miss out on important understandings of American history? Then it hit me, I didn't give them the tools to address current issues because they were not socially instructed on how current issues are historically connected. I was under the impression that the tools of historical sustainability were a traditional transfer. It isn't.

I began to share with them my experience within the American apartheid. What was missing for them was someone that lived this aspect of American history. It became real for them as they held on to every aspect of my lived experience. History became alive, thus an established conscious connection. I shared with them how, as a child, I felt singled out because of my skin-hue and historical origin. Doesn't that sound familiar? So how do we get through our inherited institutionalism of the great American divide? Like any other habitual formation, one step at a time.

Step One: Acknowledge that it existed:

The history of America is steeped with the unwillingness to acknowledge that our dark history exists. From the Pilgrims giving smallpox blankets to the Native Americans, to the current issues that must be addressed, it is all of our legacies. Every American citizen will have to own up to the fact that it is then and now our inheritance.

Step Two: Face it, face-to-face:

It is who we are. Now it is time to stop sweeping it under the rug. The growth of American capitalism has been on the face of oppressive acts that we don't seem to show any remorse. We must acknowledge what was done that requires forgiveness. Here is my suggestion: Get a group of friends together and pick a subject from 75 years ago; 100 years ago; 150 years ago; 200 years ago. Don't take the conversation personal and don't think the conversation is designed to point out your historical flaws. We have all fallen short to the grace of God (Romans 3:23).

Step Three: Let's it go; get it all out:

Yes, you will cry, deny, and want to say "bye-bye", but stay in that place so that you can heal. You have to cleanse the wound, which means the disinfectant will be harsh. Yes, it will burn, but after the pain, then comes healing. We Americans don't like to talk about ugly things, and as ugly as our history is, it must be told in truth. No cover-ups and be prepared to feel our institutional anxiety.

Step Four: Discuss how you will collectively affect change:

As a change agent (postcolonial anthropologist), I observe the world through a unique lens. When a comment is made, I say "Oh really?" My investigative lens comes into play and I dig a little deeper to unearth what really is being said. You may not have much time to do this, but you will have to in order to heal your wounds. You need to know the truth.

In closing, I will drop some gems on you from time-to-time, because it is time. They are needed more than ever. I am here for you.

Blessings,

Lo

1-[www.britannica.com/event/Brown-v-Board-of-Education-of-Topeka]

2-[en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_Parade]

3-[en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internment_of_Japanese_Americans]

4-[web.stanford.edu/group/chineserailroad/cgi-bin/wordpress/faqs/]

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