What's Happening?
Eric Morrison-Smith, executive director of the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color, emphasizes the need for active resistance and community building during Black History Month. He reflects on Martin Luther
King Jr.'s call to choose community over chaos, highlighting the importance of moving beyond passive commemorations. Morrison-Smith draws attention to historical figures like Ella Baker and Fannie Lou Hamer, who advocated for grassroots organizing and community empowerment. He cites contemporary organizations like Students Deserve and Pillars of the Community as examples of ongoing efforts to achieve social change through disciplined organizing and community-led initiatives.
Why It's Important?
The call for active resistance and community building is significant as it addresses ongoing social and racial injustices in the U.S. By learning from past leaders and movements, current and future generations can continue to fight systemic oppression and inequality. Morrison-Smith's message underscores the importance of grassroots organizing and the power of collective action in achieving tangible social change. This approach challenges individuals and communities to take responsibility for their roles in shaping a more equitable society, emphasizing that real change requires sustained effort and engagement beyond symbolic gestures.
What's Next?
Morrison-Smith encourages individuals and organizations to engage in active resistance and community building. He suggests that people should join existing movements and contribute to ongoing efforts to address social injustices. The focus is on building multiracial, multigenerational power rooted in communities most affected by violence and exclusion. This involves outgrowing limiting frameworks and embracing new strategies for achieving social change. The message is clear: the work of building a just society is ongoing, and everyone has a role to play in this collective struggle.
Beyond the Headlines
The deeper implications of Morrison-Smith's message involve a cultural shift towards recognizing the importance of grassroots organizing and community empowerment. By highlighting the legacy of past leaders and movements, he challenges the notion that change can only come from top-down leadership. This perspective encourages a reevaluation of how social change is achieved and the role of ordinary people in driving it. The emphasis on community-led initiatives and the rejection of passive commemoration reflect a broader movement towards more active and engaged citizenship.
