The death of Sam Bowers did not make the world a "better place". Unfortunately, the world is still in the same sad shape it was always in. There are still biggots and murderers of people fighting for equality living comfortably in Mississippi, and instead of dedicating all the time we could to achieving positive social change, truth and justice, many of us wasted time celebrating this one human being's death...
While we were talking about how much better the world is without Bowers, another child was being socialized in a world of hatred and inequality and will grow up to be full of the same bigotry Bowers was full of, evidenced by the young Mississipian who was emboldened enough to stop and scream racial slurs at a group of over 100 people at the 43rd Annual Mississippi Civil Rights Martyrs Memorial on June 24th, 2007.
Let's get to work people...
Benjamin T. Greenberg
· 2 years ago
Right on, Ash-Lee!
Please chime in more often...
Jared
· 2 years ago
I guess I was one of those who felt like I should celebrate the passing of another racist, but you reminded me of the futility of that. I would add that its important not to overestimate the actions and influence of individual racists as it obscures the need to challenge and change systems, policies, and laws that perpetuate racism and classism and emboldens individual racists. This is not to say that these individuals should not be indicted, prosecuted, and convicted--indeed they should--but the struggle doesn't end at a conviction or a death of an individual racist. This is also why progress in individual and personal relationships among races is to be celebrated as progress, but not put forth as proof that racism and classism have ended or are on their last legs. If people vote for the same old politicians and support the same old systems and laws, it is really irrelevant whether or not they are now willing to eat with, go to church with, or even marry someone of another race.
Folks like Edgar Ray Killen and the rest of the lynch mob and the two racists that lashed out against us at the Mississippi Memorial this past weekend should and must be held accountable for their actions, but ultimately are themselves used and deluded by those who hold real power. We've only scratched the surface in prosecuting these individual racists and haven't even begun to hold the powerful and wealthy accountable.
I second your sentiments and heed the call to keep working.
All Comments
The world is a MUCH better place.
The death of Sam Bowers did not make the world a "better place". Unfortunately, the world is still in the same sad shape it was always in. There are still biggots and murderers of people fighting for equality living comfortably in Mississippi, and instead of dedicating all the time we could to achieving positive social change, truth and justice, many of us wasted time celebrating this one human being's death...
While we were talking about how much better the world is without Bowers, another child was being socialized in a world of hatred and inequality and will grow up to be full of the same bigotry Bowers was full of, evidenced by the young Mississipian who was emboldened enough to stop and scream racial slurs at a group of over 100 people at the 43rd Annual Mississippi Civil Rights Martyrs Memorial on June 24th, 2007.
Let's get to work people...
Please chime in more often...
Folks like Edgar Ray Killen and the rest of the lynch mob and the two racists that lashed out against us at the Mississippi Memorial this past weekend should and must be held accountable for their actions, but ultimately are themselves used and deluded by those who hold real power. We've only scratched the surface in prosecuting these individual racists and haven't even begun to hold the powerful and wealthy accountable.
I second your sentiments and heed the call to keep working.