(NNPA)—Have you ever seen a photo of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. taking part of a panel discussion? It’s likely he didn’t have time if he were asked. It’s also likely that in the 1950s and 1960s, he wasn’t asked much. The period King conquered was a time of action. The actions Dr. King took got results and won huge victories.
Last year, we commemorated the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This year, we are commemorating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. And next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. In all of the commemorating and celebrating, maybe it’s time we ask ourselves: Has activism been replaced by retracing marches and yet another panel discussion?
There is no escaping the endless hot air. There is a panel at every turn. At every annual convention. At every luncheon. Even sometimes at breakfast. Even worse, many African-American events feature the same panel discussion. It is a repeat of the same problems and virtually the identical discussion the year before.
Wait, it gets worse. It’s typically the case that the discussion features no “call to action” or clear, detailed set of ideas that might lead to action. That these discussions often feature some of the best and the brightest “public intellectuals” of the era may not be something to celebrate. If the smartest among us spend more time talking than acting, that can’t be a good thing.
About Post Author
