The son of a Wampanoag Native American and an African born slave, Crispus Attucks, took the first two bullets for America’s freedom, March 5, 1770. The legacy of his death was the American Revolution. Thanks, Crispus.
Since that fateful day, Frederick Douglass voiced discontent, Rosa Parks sat, so I could stand, Martin Luther King Jr. heard the echoes of freedom ringing and President Barack Obama lived a dream. Over the past few days I have had many conversations with family, friends and strangers who have talked about quitting, moving or just giving up. All wrong answers. I was raised by my great-grandmother, who as a young woman could not vote, drink from white only public water fountains or try on pretty hats in department stores for Sunday church services. Like those before her, the temptation to quit was a lot stronger and a lot more justified. She stuck it out and did not lay ruin to the lives of Crispus, Frederick, Rosa, Martin or Barack.
We have come to a new fork in the road, President-elect Donald John Trump. Mr. Trump is not the first and regrettably not the last bigot to occupy the Whitehouse. Richard Nixon’s anti-Semitism is legendary and Lyndon Johnson passed the N-word around like candied treats. America has trudged through this terrain before and through trial and many errors, taken the path leading to righteousness. I wrote a few days ago, quoting the father of comic Monique Marvez, “evil always overplays it hand” but when that evil lurks behind the white hood of a dark past, good people must stay and fight.
All the talk of abandoning America is silly hyperbole; this is still the greatest country in the world, but I guess it was a healing thing to say to ease the tension of high expectations. Lots of hopes were temporarily dashed on Tuesday, but the key word is temporary. People have taken to the streets in protest, young people, gay, straight, second and first generation Americans of all stripes are reacting to hatred having a place at the table. I want to see real action from the sign carriers and rhythmic chanters. Organize, run for local and state office, demand your leaders earn your vote and not take it for granted. On December 1, 1955 two days prior to the warmest fall day in Montgomery, Alabama, when the temperature would reach 78 degrees, Rosa set the world on fire. Her refusal to obey the order of bus driver James Blake to vacate her seat for a white man became the clarion call for the national dawning of the civil rights movement.
People could identify with a tired woman, wanting to rest her feet, tired legs and just take a quiet bus ride.
Often it is the simplest gesture that tingles the calmest nerve.
I am not fearful of Donald Trump, I am energized, ruthlessly opposed and willing to stand in place of a woman who was brave enough to sit down. President Obama has a few months left in office, he has vowed to continue to fight. I am sure some of you felt the same pain I felt with his diplomatic greeting of Donald Trump yesterday. What separates great men from cowards is the ability to confront your enemy look him in the eye and say, “my number one priority… is to insure the President elect is successful.” When you feel, injustice has won, let the words of First Lady Michelle Obama echo over the taunts and chants leading up to Mr. Trump’s inauguration,” when they go low, we go high.” Crispus’ life, Frederick’s fight, Rosa’s ride, Martin’s dream all live in the heart of true America. Oh, yeah, Thanks, Obama.
Vote 2018