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COMMENTARY: Dr. King’s Assassination

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “Since the death of Dr. King we’ve watched as a curious array of would be successors reached for the brass ring of his mythic popularity and oratorical prowess. We have watched as a series of pretenders have marched through our streets as little more than mascots of a neo-liberal political agenda largely leaving the foundation of an economic system that presupposes the immiserating of the masses for the enrichment of a few intact.”

Published

6 years ago

April 10, 2019

Oakland Post

By Pastor Matthew V. Johnson Sr., PhD, Mount Moriah Baptist Church Pratt City, Birmingham, Alabama
Vice Chair Social Justice Commission, Progressive National Baptist Convention

Fifty-one years ago, a gunshot in Memphis Tennessee put out one of the brightest lights of the anti/post-colonial era. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fell victim to the violence against which he had crusaded most, if not all his adult life. It was a tragic end for such a brilliant witness to the love of God and its transformative potential in the lives of men and nations. Yet, with the passing of time we’ve come to realize that more than a man, indeed a multi-dimensional ideal, fell victim to the assassin’s hand.

Since the death of Dr. King we’ve watched as a curious array of would be successors reached for the brass ring of his mythic popularity and oratorical prowess. We have watched as a series of pretenders have marched through our streets as little more than mascots of a neo-liberal political agenda largely leaving the foundation of an economic system that presupposes the immiseration of the masses for the enrichment of a few intact.

We watched as a positive, proactive, disciplined struggle against the foundations of injustice was reduced to little more than the politics of outrage; conveniently canned in special interest rhetoric that effectively undercuts our more universal claims.

We watched as hope ceased to be an actionable ethic and the twin sister of a moral courage willing to risk life and limb and became instead a sentimentally cheap rhetorical device used to evade the weightier matters of our contemporary predicament.

We’ve watched as White people on the right and the left (with a complicit cadre of well-meaning or perhaps just baldly ambitious Blacks) sought to restore white supremacy by retaking the moral high ground through a subtle rhetoric that flattens out the moral universe with the crude bludgeon of an a-historical, anti-discrimination ethic of equality; effectively relativizing the unique place of race in America’s oppressive machinations.

Since Dr. King’s assassination they’ve savaged his legacy like carrion dogs tearing away fleshy fragments to satisfy their lust for moral legitimation, while few if any have truly embraced his ethic of struggle-in-love through sustained nonviolent direct action. In the end, what may have been worse than the assassination of the man was the subsequent murder of the ideal.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org