By Dr. Kevin McNeir
While the crowd paled in comparison to the record number of Americans who, in 1963, heeded the call of the “Drum Major for Peace” in support of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, those who attended the 63rd anniversary of the historic civil rights protest on Aug. 28, were anything but quiet.
Hosted by the National Action Network and the Drum Major Institute, under the leadership of the Rev. Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King III, respectively, this year’s march served as a clarion call for Americans to defend voting rights, protect civil rights and advance economic justice.
In addition to Sharpton and King, other leaders from some of the nation’s most influential civil rights, faith and labor organizations, as well as several elected officials hammered home the message that while voting rights have recently come under attack, citizens must not give up.
National Urban League President/CEO Marc Morial spoke with the AFRO on the eve of the event and provided his insights on what’s at stake.
“We’re here to issue a call to action so people understand that they must cast their vote in the midterms if they want to see things change from the direction in which America is headed,” Morial said. “The pain, suffering, stagnant economy, low job growth and the rise in unemployment, including 600,000 Black women, are all related to the 2024 election. It’s not the business cycle that caused these problems – it’s the choices made by the 47th president.
“In 1963, we were making demands to the entire nation. But today we’re facing a deliberate assault on our civil rights by an administration that has attacked and is threatening all of the gains we made 63 years ago.”
Morial said Blacks must be diligent, remain hopeful and never forget that our civil rights are never guaranteed.
“Some Black people feel betrayed, others are dejected. They thought the fight was over after we elected a Black president and saw so many Blacks elected as mayors or as members of Congress. Today’s younger generation didn’t have to fight like we did. They’ve been able to walk through doors that we helped to open and tear down,” he said.
“Those who know history, remember the backlash Blacks endured after Reconstruction,” he continued. “We’re facing similar challenges again. And as we’ve done before, we will face these challenges together and devise a new set of strategies. We may get tired but we cannot rest. Not if we hope to progress as a nation.”
Black youth have their say
Young African Americans showed up in admirable numbers for the march – some waving signs, others holding large banners or sporting college gear. But all were eager to share their thoughts and express their optimism.
Three youth from New Orleans, visiting a colleague in Baltimore, agreed that it’s time for today’s leaders to make room for them at the table and allow them to contribute their views, skills, and to help shape the future.
“I’m here to support democracy and to let our leaders know that we want to participate in the fight for equal rights and to ensure that our voting rights are not stripped away. The world would be a better place if young people were encouraged to engage with our elders,” said Zion Crawford, 17.
History Ecclesiastes, 17, said he’s tired of feeling like his opinions don’t matter.
“It’s hard to be heard when so many people think young people don’t care about serious matters, but we do – I do,” he said. “A lot of my friends are already looking at the future, plotting out paths to success and following the examples of successful, older people. People often forget – we ARE the future.”
Derwin Joseph, 25, said he was excited to participate in his first march. Still, he’s concerned about the divisions in America.
“I hate to admit that it does feel like we’re moving backwards and not forward,” he said. “Racism is certainly alive and well. It’s way too loud so no one is listening to each other. Some Blacks who have made it don’t seem interested in being part of this movement. But we need everybody. This is serious.”
As for the trio’s Baltimore-based friend, she said she attended the march because of that inner voice within her.
“My spirit told me I needed to be here and I trust my spirit,” said Mekaiya Burton, 22. “The Black community needs to be more willing to help one another – to show real love and concern. The kind of support that I’ve heard older people call southern hospitality.”
Lauren Thomas, 18, a freshman at Howard University, and a member of Howard’s NAN youth chapter, said she, along with about a dozen classmates, came out to defend the vote.
“I am here to use my voice and to be an advocate for others who could not get here,” Thomas said. “I plan to major in political science and want to be a lawyer one day. So this is good practice and experience for the kinds of things I’ll be doing one day.”
This article originally appeared in The Afro.
