Third in a series
Re “How Have Radical Societal Changes Affected the Black Community?”
Among the muted, often overlooked dimensions of cultural upheaval in recent and contemporary America chronicled by Dr. Anthony Samad in his newest tome, “Real Eyez,” is the near disappearance of activism.
“This absence of activism started at the end of the last century, and it continues today,” Dr. Samad said. “I have a chapter that talks about this absence in the context of making a 21st century civil rights movement.”
Have you noticed, he wondered at last week’s book launching party in Leimert Park Village, that “people don’t engage in activist activity anymore?
“People were surprised a year ago (September 2011) by the Occupy movement.
“However, in the African American community, advocacy largely has been relegated to press conferences and side commentary.
“There have been no protest engagements in 2012,” the entrepreneur of the Urban Issues Breakfast Forum said.
“Half a dozen people have been shot by police (in ’12).
“Silence.
“Where is the protest community when we talk about things like that?
“In 2011, South L.A. lost 2,000 jobs.
“Where is the protest?”
The question was rhetorical.
“Protest is absent,” Dr. Samad said,
“largely because the groups we established as civil rights organizations have been silent.
“Or they are in transition.
“Or they no longer fit the 21st century advocacy mode.”
Question: Is this their fault for not adapting?
“It always is the fault of a person who does not adapt to change.
“People have to take responsibility,” said Dr. Samad, himself a scholar and a written and spoken commentator, “for not being able to interpret (or recognize) the change.
“In my book, I share a fight that took place in 2008. It was whether we (the community) were going to support Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.”
(To be continued)
