African American Call to Action

Yesterday Will Lead Us Into Tomorrow

My friends, we have a common bond that makes us family: we are African Americans. It doesn't matter whether we are of the same generation, live in the same geographic location, maintain the same economic status, or have achieved similar educational accomplishments because, very simply put, those things are not what make us who we are. Although sharing in one or more of those socio-economic realms is nice, when we are viewed through the eyes of racism, we are all still black.

Over the past several years, we have noticed a very negative change in the perception among African-Americans in regards to the legacy of black love and black pride, both of which united us as a people, made us strong and helped us endure the horrors of slavery and overcome the pain of segregation. Indeed, there seems to be a growing trend for many African-Americans to move away from the splendor of our rich and colorful heritage and move towards distancing themselves from all that can be associated with our people, as if they were ashamed of being black. Friend, this is an insult and disgrace to all the beauty that is Black America and should not be.

As most of you know, not too long ago, many of our mothers, father, aunts, uncles, grandmothers, grandfathers and cousins, who were treated as sub-humans and 2nd class citizens, came together for the cause of dignity, decency and destiny for ALL African-Americans, young or old, rich or poor, highly educated or illiterate. They endured fire hosings, police beatings, dogs attacks and worse so that their children, you and I, would not have to do so. But the hate towards Blacks did not stop there and some of these pioneers even paid the price for that struggle with their lives.

Friend, the struggles and sacrifices should never be forgotten, nor should we allow their achievements to be lost. Contrary to popular belief, the civil rights movement did not end in the 1960s. As long as a man can be dragged behind a truck to the degree that he is decapitated, or a 19-year old young lady, semi-conscious in her automobile, can be murdered in a fusillade of bullets from 4 Police Officers claiming to be *fearful for their lives*, then the war is far from over. Unfortunately, many of us have slept for nearly a generation, and as a result, gains fought long and hard for in the past are now being lost; and our children have a superficial knowledge of and a token appreciation for the rights and freedoms that many suffered and died for.

As the well known African proverb states, *It takes a village to raise a child.* However, over the past 20-30 years, our villages have been in disarray. We have allowed external influences, disagreement over trivial issues and envy, mistrust and jealousy to keep us at odds. My friend, now is the time for the walls of mistrust and division to be torn down and replaced with bridges of unity, love and strength. And as we cross those bridges together, we will rebuild our families, our neighborhoods and our communities.

Therefore, we propose that as the beneficiaries of the struggles of our ancestors in the civil rights era, we all must now come together to preserve the legacy that has been placed in our care. We must take time to teach our children of the difficulties and obstacles that were placed before African-Americans to keep them from enjoying basic freedoms in this country. We must remind ourselves, as we strive to preserve and protect our families, to give honor to those who marched for the opportunities now available to us and our children. Let us make use of this marvel of technology, the Internet, to inform, to educate and to communicate with one another and break down the economic, educational and geographic barriers that have kept us at odds. We must begin to use our vast economic, political and social resources to work for and not against us. If Malcolm and Martin, who sought similar goals from a differing point of view, could find common ground and the table of friendship and fellowship, then we should be able to do no less.

Thank you for listening,

Reggie & Shelley
(Norm&Suge)