One would be remiss by suggesting that the Civil Rights Movement didn't bare any positive fruit - it absolutely did – in all areas of human activity, including commerce, housing, education, religion, and even politics. Yet, it was would be just as remiss to declare that the Movement accomplished its complete mission – it has absolutely not.
On the latter, and during the 70s, it was no small thing to witness 'Jim Crow' being dismantled stone-by-stone. It's no small accomplishment when one is not relegated to drinking from separate fountains – one colored and one white. One wrong move could cause much pain and, ultimately even death. Or, consider not being able to eat at a public restaurant because of the color of your skin – walking through the wrong door also brought negative consequences. Anti-Lynching laws has yet to be codified). O course, i is rare to find someone being lunched today,but the point is that the propensity remains. It was close to normal to find a body hanging from a rope in some of America famous parks and tourist attractions (Today, after 240 tries, there is no Lynching Law).
Some would argue that school desegregation was the crowning achievement; some say housing opportunity; some even say sports. Yet the dismantling of the totality of racial discrimination was prevalent in all key activity of human activity. The walls of blatant racism had a mighty fall, and it changed America for forever. The change was primarily a defeat at the same time, and the job is not finished. Yet, this writer would argue that the greatest empowerment was to make tools more available for fighting against racism which are mainly in the arenas of politics, law, economics and social activism. While other tools are available, there is not enough space here to list or breakdown the vast arsenal for fighting an ever present spirit of darkness- yet, the will of the Black masses seem suspect.
The Momentum has been hijacked?
What went wrong, many observers would concur that seemingly whether than picking up steam to break the yoke of racism, the Movement really has become some what moribund? One can debate the time and date when this truth became a reality.
One think-tank argues that the movement was co-opted by the establishment. In other words, it was made more palatable to those who fear that progress needed to be controlled – for "security purposes." And indeed it was [controlled] and has been to this day, as mentioned earlier, 'the tree of emancipation' is still bearing fruit, but it has been sanitized (or controlled) in order not to breach the the balance of world order that the colonization base hat has been established. But the Movement was also co-opted by other groups – primarily the Lesbian Gay Movement that even today uses the infrastructure of black liberation (and has also found a seat at the table) to further their cause.
While the Women Suffrage Movement (1848 -193happened years before the proclaimed Black Civil Rights Movement, in recent decade it appears that Women Rights have been invigorated ever since finds a way to connect the Black Civil Rights Movement to their cause.
And, this may sound strange, but even the white extreme fascists that seems to be connected to a white male component have taken a page from the Black Civil Rights Movement by claiming persecution and yes, inequality.
No matter the exact reason(s) for the the emasculation of the Civil Rights Movement, one thing clear, it's not what it used to be. Besides an array of Black reactionary movement to injustices like police brutality, and apologists arguing for a fairer industrial prison complex, the pieces have been shattered asunder and there seems no hope of pulling the pieces back together again as institutional and systemic racism rages like never before.
The Culprit called forgetfulness?
Several thousands miles across the globe, the White Apartheid Regime had reached its apex in South Africa, a country that was (and still today) inhabited by over 75% Blacks (Coloured and other races made-up remainder) but ruled by less than 9% whites (See Notes below) The main factors for securing the attention from the rest of the civilized world finally saw positive results – this is after years of oppression, discrimination, brutality, segregation and murder by the the ruling Whites. While their were many martyrs, one can argue that it was Nelson Mandela who symbolized the liberation of Black people in South Africa, just like Dr. Martin Luther Kings was a symbol of liberation in America.
Yet, one disputable aspect that is never poached is that while there seem to be some mutual respect between proponents of the Movements, and there were those in America that genuinely cared, this writer has yet to find a strong argument that the American Black Diaspora was the true inspiration.
Some similarities were evident in the two different civil rights movements, mainly they both had African DNA. However, to make a long story short, and as opposed to what many assume, the similarities stopped there. As a matter of fact, the destruction of the cultural history of Black Americans had been so complete that white people (even to day) seem to know more about Africa than Black people.
Unofficially (word on the street) it can be said that Blacks would prefer to travel to an Euro-centric countries before visiting the land of their ancestors. This substantiates how American Black Diaspora have been subtly stripped of essences that one would identify as the foundation of their primordial beginnings. With that, it can also be presuppose that the 'survival of culture' is literally dependent on the same essences, and if those essences have been destroyed; altered; or changed successfully it can be rightfully argued that the doors of disintegration have been completely swung open. This writer proposes that those doors became wide-open after the apex of the civil rights movement .In other words, essence of Blacks' indigenous foundation was suppressed for long periods of time - becoming more pliable for change and indoctrination became evident. The reconstitution of the essence of Blacks in America is no small accomplishment that the predator.
Now there is some good news: generation after generation, there are those who have miraculously hung own and, figuratively speaking, can hear and recognize the drum beats and voices coming from their ancestors. I would call it cultural grace.
Hence, it would be anathema as to found in the to the “Middle Passage” carnage if American Blacks were offered a free luxury cruise to the coast of some of Africa's finest shorelines and tourist attractions. At the same time if UK, Germany, France, or Australia, if anyone was part of the package (and of course excluding Africa) it would be a life dream come true.
Localization may be final nail in coffin
The word localization here is used by this writer to propose that that local acculturation has become divorced from a world-view. In other words, Africans being oppressed in colonial South Africa, one can propose that America's Black Diaspora should have always remained natural component that Movement and any Movement in the fighting justice.
Of course, to be fair, their were many Blacks up in arms as 'Black Dignity' during the Civil Rights Movement was manifested not only by African attire, but out f these times came a special language and messages that presented a unique colloquial manifesto. Hence, for all intents and purposes, Blacks in America appear to be in the process of reconnecting with the motherland. However, that re-connection process was prematurely unplugged once the established had successfully gave the Black person, in general, a 'new paradigm' that utilized re-framing to say that Blacks were indeed legally free and their demands have been met.
In that perspective, I often use the term 'wooden nickels' (meaning, not the real thing, or something that is artificial or fake). Today, the bill of goods given still stands today – an incomplete package that can easily represent an prime example the fruits of a 'carrot and stick' approach. Of the consequently, only
'just enough' carrots were given to satisfy the burning appetite of the Black masses. Prematurely, the process of liberation had been short circuited which is evident by the fast becoming indistinguishable identities of Black identity in America today.
Pan-Africanism was the attempt to create a sense of brotherhood and collaboration among all people of African descent whether they lived inside or outside of Africa. The themes raised in this excerpt connect to the aspirations of people, the values of European culture, and the world of African colonies. How do the authors of this statement define the major events of Europe at the time. What do they see as their own role in the future of Africa? What is their evaluation of the bulk of the African population?
The bitter fruit that was partaken of is something that many (including Black scholars, theologians, community leaders, politicians) are refusing to talk about. This was one of the stratagems of a recent Black President who was given credit by some for punning the phrase “Post Racial”. In other words, the momentum of the incomplete civil rights movement where much blood, sweat and tears were given has been halted. If may sound like an arbitrary date, but I would like to guess early 80's would be a legitimate baseline for discussion. From their, localization has effectively vanquished any hints of a movement that should, could, and maybe have been a international foundation for liberation.
This localization is (in my opinion) most prevalent in Black politicians who represent the nation in national matters. Some of the most incredulous activities administered by America in the world have been regularly endorsed (vote for) by Black politicians. We are talking about war on third world countries; voting for the largest military budget in the history of mankind; being voices for the establishment, by blaming other countries for our internal woes; allowing America to continually interfere in the sovereignty of the Mothers – Africa; Being puppets for big business interests - often selling out themselves but their constituencies; watch as a country like Palestine continue to suffer and vote time-and-time again to increase the foreign budget for the perpetrator; watch as a country like Yemen is under massive invasion where innocent men, women and children are destroyed and is an extension of the military budgets that they vote on, regularly.
At times, it seems like thee only remnants of the civil rights movement is asking people to vote. But if one can see,the question in one's mind can be : 'Vote for you to destroy other countries?'
In localization statuses, those who are bound by localization often are unable to help anyone outside of their geographic borders, but only to piggyback of someone else' acrimony. As the world needs Black America to refurbish its 'light on the hill' example, they are woefully disappointed because the same Blacks are either busy trying to keep their own lights; wallowing in the material schemes of their masters; hiding behind big houses with big mortgages; unable to detach themselves from sports or entertainment for any length of time; or, have simply lost the 'soul force' that was stolen.
One current authoritative book with compelling essays (How the US Creates
"shthole" Countries*, Cynthia McKinney. It clearly shows why Black empathy has failed to be exported, racism as neocolonialism continues to make its negative impact on third world countries that are crying for justice. They, too, are being neutered by primarily European conspirators -more being destroyed (to be more succinct). See Notes below.
In Summary
Black Americans may have been preordained to be a force for liberation for the world, but arguably they have neutered. This can be called 'The Post-Civil Rights' or maybe 'The Civil Rights Sings the Blues'. Whenever one stops aspiring to finish a job (Yes, people are and should be thankful for those who still refuse to be quiet – like this writer – much credit should be given to those who resist). The Kaepernicks, Eric Browns, Cynthia McKinneys, Black Lives Matter and many others seeking righteous and complete liberation will continue to easily stand-out - and some may even be labeled as pariahs, or something worst. Within this long list, it can ironically be stated that many who stand are persecuted by – you said it – by Black people.
It becomes debatable, without taking away from their historical significance, that the current statuses of some Civil Rights organizations hasn't been water-downed to the point of not being a threat anymore to the powers that be. Maybe, just having a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) label is all that is needed. No countries have been reported recently for visiting the headquarters of a not of "post-racial' organizations for advice on liberation and equal opportunity.
Dr. Martin King was a great man, along with many others who fought. As one marvels in seeing his Statue and visiting the Museum on the Mall in Washington DC, what they miss is that this is not necessary a celebration for freedom and equality, but one that symbolizes the death of he Civil Rights Movement, aka, the 'World Civil Rights Movement'. If there was some hope, the Pan Africa Movement would have be a natural for further development and embellishing the accomplishments of he Black Civil Rights Movement. As even as the Pan Africa Movement still exists, looking toward Black Americans for inspiration may be a stretch. Black Americans have moved-on (or moved from) their calling. The few that remain and persevere can truly be called the 'chosen few'.
Notes
-Pan African Movement. Its intent, in brief, was to bring Africans together throughout the world (London Manifesto - 1929). https://www.historians.org/teaching-and-learning/teaching-resources-for-historians/teaching-and-learning-in-the-digital-age/through-the-lens-of-history-biafra-nigeria-the-west-and-the-world/the-colonial-and-pre-colonial-eras-in-nigeria/the-pan-african-movementan
-The US has failed to pass anti-lynching laws 240 times. This is all of them. Currently Black Senators are working to get Lynching Laws passed. https://qz.com/1322702/the-us-has-tried-to-pass-anti-lynching-laws-240-times-and-failed-every-single-time/
-The History of Apartheid in South Africa. https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/history-apartheid-south-Africa
-How the US Creates "Sh#thole Countries edited by Cynthia McKinney. https://www.claritypress.com/McKinney. It's quite possible that the some of the same template for destruction has actually been utilized on the America's Black masses.
-The above photo with this article is from a project titled Black is. Oladimeji Odunsi@oladimeg (Instagram)