Contributing Writer, Valarie Scruggs
What’s Going On? was the recurring question at the Civil Rights 2.0 Discussion Forum on August 27 at Underground Books in Sacramento. One day in advance of the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington, Sacramentans gathered to discuss recent civil rights related issues such as voting rights, racial profiling, unemployment, and education. Civil Rights Activist, Marion Wood who grew up with Martin Luther King, Jr. and was a schoolmate with King at Moorehouse College punctuated the current state of civil rights progress when he told the audience, “We won what we fought for but we lost what we had.”
The conversation centered on how the mindset of learning a skill and using that skill to earn a living for your family got lost in the battle for integration and jobs. In the past, the closeness of the communities where churches, store owners, teachers, and laborers lived together, shared skills and trade was the strength of the community. Participants reflected on the fact that youth were the spirit of the civil rights movement and stood up for the change. Community members stressed the need to encourage youth to learn “how to” learn, go to college and learn a trade that will work for them. Many felt that we are often giving away our ideas and knowledge to others that are gaining the actual financial benefit. The conversation reached a high point as younger members challenged veterans to work with them to create a blueprint for forging ahead. “My father was in jail most of my younger years. I don’t feel I was given the right blueprint I needed [to manage life and be successful], shared one attendee.”
Community discussions like this are needed more frequently to bridge the experience gained from previous generations and forge new strategies for managing the political climate and technological environment in which we operate today. Successful strategies are needed to continue the progress. Audience members were left with the question. “What will be the celebration 50 years from now?”
The things we do today to learn about historical accomplishments, develop a blue print of strategies for the future, and share our stories will determine how far we’ve moved ahead or fallen in the next 50 years.
The Civil Rights 2.0 Forum was presented by California Forum Crossroads in Partnership with the Sac Cultural Hub Media Foundation and the UC Davis Office of Campus Community Relations.
To see photos from the event, go to http://www.sacculturalhub.com/civil-rights-20-forum
See the Sac Hub exclusive ad to promote the event that was posted ad: http://www.sacculturalhub.com/entertainment-and-news/e-blasts/3366-join-the-conversation-qcivil-rights-20q-discussion-forum.
