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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 19, 2014)
February 19, 2014 The Portland Observer Black History Month Page 19 Opinion articles do not necessarily represent the views of the Portland Observer. We welcome reader essays, photos and story ideas. Submit to news@portlandobserver.com. Joining the Forward Together Movement Solidarity for a common cause R ev . M. L inda J aramillo On Feb. 7, I got to be part of a march through Raleigh, N. C. M ore than 80,000 people from across the country and all walks of life joined together in solidarity with our North Carolinian brothers and sisters to call attention to the re cent immergence of state legisla tive actions that will further deny basic rights to those who are already marginalized. Led by the North Carolina NAACP, the Forward Together Movement has gathered over 150 groups who have joined together in a powerful nonviolent demon by stration of unity. The issues of injustice being raised by North Carolinians in clude the rolling back of voting rights, access to health care, re segregation of public schools, immigration reform, income inequality, women’s rights, LGBT rights, and environ mental justice. Each of the 150 coalition member groups continue to focus on their primary mission, but it is clear that The Forward To gether Movement has increased their visibility, strengthened their determination, and demonstrated the power of the people to come together for a common cause. It is democracy in action. We congregated in Raleigh as a demonstration of solidarity. Over whelming hospitality and welcome was extended by North Carolin ians that day. However, some press reports noted that thou sands who showed up did not reside in the state, some criticiz ing the presence of outsiders. One such story even referred to non-North Carolinians as agita tors being lured in by the North Carolina NAACP to support their dissenting views. Another reason we joined the public rally was to remind state elected leaders that thousands of North Carolinians are left out. They do not have access to a government “of the people, for the people, and by the people.” These principles give people the right to challenge their elected officials who are passing laws that are unfair and unjust. Exclu sion from democracy is happen ing in North Carolina just as it is happening in other states through out the land. All the justice issues that I named above do plague the com mon good in our country. One that is a glaring obstruction of justice is the right to vote. The North Carolina Legislature just passed new rules requiring that voters present acceptable I.D. cards. Furthermore, they have shortened voter hours and done away with early voting, knowing full well that 70 percent of Afri can Americans voted early in 2012. This does not look like democ racy to me. Voting is fundamental to this nation and essential for a sound democracy. Unfortunately, in cases like these, it seems to apply only to the wealthiest and most powerful. We see it demonstrated over and over during the election season when the most viable can» didate is measured by his or her ability to raise money rather than votes. Then highly financed lob byists converge on elected offi cials to ensure that their wealth is protected during deliberations on laws meant for the common good also known as equality and fair ness. This is happening in North Carolina as it is in states through out the land. We came from across the country as near as Georgia and Washington, D.C. and as far as Ohio and Oregon to show that Dr. King was right, “a threat to justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” On that day, we knew that we were all North Carolinians. Rev. M. Linda Jaramillo is executive minister for the United Church of Christ’s Justice and Witness Ministries. Month: Now More America’s diversity is our strength fortunately, the suppression of "W hat we need is not a history voting rights and other instances of selected races or nations, but of racial discrimination remain. the history of the world void of All one needs to do is look at national bias, race, hate and re the glaring disparities between ligious prejudice.” That is a goal blacks and whites in income, that America is still struggling to by M arc H. M orial employment, incarceration rates, achieve. Ever since the election of educational achievem ent and In fact, legislatures in a number Barack Obama health status to see that race still of states, including New York, as A m e ric a ’s matters in America. Income in Illinois, Pennsylvania and New first black Presi equality and equal opportunity Jersey, have passed laws man d en t and the 100th anniver sary of the Na tio n a l U rban League two years later, the pe rennial debate about the need for Black History Month has intensified. Some have questioned the need for a special month to rec ognize the many unknown and unsung achievements of Afri are still part of the unfinished dating or encouraging teachers to can Americans. With Obama as business of American democ broaden their history courses to President, the logic goes, we racy. include more ethnic, racial and have now achieved Dr. King’s In 1926, after centuries of gender diversity. That is why we dream of a non-racial America blacks being excluded, not only still recognize March as Women’s where everyone is judged by the from the mainstream o f Ameri History Month, May as Jewish content of their character, not can life, but also from the text American History Month, Sept. the color of their skin. I wish it books in our schools, the African 15 to Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heri were so. American historian, Carter G. tage Month and February as Black Last year we celebrated the Woodson, did a service to all History Month. 50th anniversary of the March A m ericans w hen he created These celebrations serve a on Washington and the passage Negro History Week, which was dual purpose: first to build self of the Voting Rights Act. This ex p an d ed to B lack H istory esteem among historically op year marks the 50th anniversary Month in 1976. pressed people, and second to of the Civil Rights Act and the W oodson’s vision was one of remind all Americans that in the repeal of the Poll Tax. But un- unity and inclusion. He said, face of seemingly insurmount These celebrations serve a dual purpose: first to build self-esteem among historically oppressed people, and second to remind all Americans that in the face o f seemingly insurmountable odds, our diversity is our greatest strength. able odds, our diversity is our laughter, and of hope. It should be greatest strength. a beacon that reminds us of what Black history is American his we were; what challenges we still to ry . W hile the sto ry and face; and point us towards what achievements of African Ameri we can become.” cans are especially celebrated As we honor those who have this month, the contributions we made history, we must also rec have made and the struggles we ognize that we are history in the still face deserve recognition making. Through our work, com every day of the year. mitment to equality and civic Next year, for the first time, engagement, we can and we Black History will enter the main must, in the words of President stream when the Smithsonian’s Obama, continue to “right the National Museum of African wrongs of history and make our American History and Culture world anew.” opens on the National Mall in Marc H. Morial is presi Washington. The Museum de dent and chief executive of scribes itself as “a place of mean ficer o f the National Urban ing, of memory, of reflection, of League. THE LAW OFFICES OF Patrick John Sweeney, P.C. Patrick John Sweeney Attorney at Law 1549 SE Ladd Portland, Oregon Portland: Hillsoboro: Facsimile: Email: (503) 244-2080 (503) 244-2081 (503) 244-2084 Sweeney@PDXLawyer.com
