Within a matter of months in Atlanta, Georgia, and the nation, we lost three great civil rights beacons, Rev. Joseph Lowery, C.T. Vivian, and Congressman John Robert Lewis. They all lived and fought for the justice and freedom for all people, especially those who have been disenfranchised all their lives, such as African-Americans, American Indians, and Brown people. Sadly, because of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the community and world could not grieve and mourn, as has been the case when legends have crossed over into eternity. However, no matter what, they will all be remembered throughout our lives.
Until his death and as he stood on the “Black Lives Matter Plaza,” Congressman John Robert Lewis continued to speak to the young, while reminding the seasoned fighters and others of their roles in continuing the movement for justice and voting rights. His famous mantra, “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to continue to speak up and speak out…say something, do something,” will never be forgotten. Not only did he speak the words, he walked the walk and took action. Out of his actions came change.
Sadly, too many of you see things happening with you, around you, with family members, friends, and coworkers that you KNOW are not right, not fair, and not just. You are put into positions, voted into positions where you have an opportunity to question policy, make policy, question spending, and other issues related to the good of children, families, and society as a whole. However, you become so enthralled with your position and your imagined power, that you forget your charge and become complicit with things that are not right, not fair, and unjust. Because you only think about yourself, you shutter in fear, you’ve possibly sold yourself and your soul for a position that is temporary, believing that if you join the game, play the game, and become a part of the game, you will benefit personally, one way or the other. As a result, you remain silent, believing that if you speak up and speak out, stand up, stand out, and do something, you ‘will get into trouble,’ without recognizing that your silence has already placed you in trouble. Once you sell yourself for wrong, unfair, and unjust decisions, unfair and unjust votes, resulting in unfair and unjust policies and practices, you will have to keep selling yourself. Honesty and equity have no place in the midst of dishonesty, unfair treatment, unjust decisions, and unjust laws.
As a school board member for seven and a half years, I have been amazed at how the people who were voted into office to represent children and families would follow paths of least resistance, just to fit, just to ‘make things look good to the public,’ and to make them look like big people with power. Unfortunately, these behaviors breed and stoke fears of reprisal and retaliation in administrators, teachers, and other employees. As I have often stated, fearful teachers and those placed in leadership positions that are also fearful, or who become sellouts cannot benefit the children they were not only voted to serve and in some cases erroneously selected to serve. Not only do the children suffer in the here-and-now, they will have lasting repercussions as a result of the people put in positions, who will not “speak up and speak out…say something, do something”
From the time of slavery and before, the oath of silence has permeated America. This silence has allowed for police harassment and police brutality of African-Americans and other people of color, including American-Indians, and Brown people. This code of silence has corrupted our judicial system, our educational institutions, corporate America, our healthcare system, our banks, and mortgage companies, to the benefit of some and the demise of millions. This code of silence has allowed four years of havoc, thievery, and outfight incompetence, and lawlessness by a guy who stole an election with foreign assistance, to become president of the United States. As a result, a country that has been haled as the richest and most powerful country in the world has been reduced to the laughing stock of the world, with American citizens gnashing their teeth, wringing their hands, crying day and night, going hungry, with record high unemployment rates, and a COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic rate of over 4.4 million testing positive and over 155,000 deaths. What kind of shiggidy is this? Had the people around the guy in the white house had the nerve and the balls to speak up and speak out…say something, do something, there wouldn’t be as many coronavirus cases and deaths.
As Congressman John Robert Lewis stated, not only do you have a moral obligation “to speak up and speak out…say something, do something”; you also have a human obligation. How many times have you witnessed or are currently witnessing racism, sexism, ageism, xenophobia, cultural discrimination, religious discrimination, verbal threats/abuse, disrespect, along with emotional and psychological abuse on your job by people in positions of power, but you remain silent for fear of losing your job? The reality is, that although you might not be the target this time, you are most certainly in line for the next time. And the statement is true…’karma is a bitch!’ If it doesn’t get you, it will get your children, grandchildren, or other family members.
The question is, “What Are You Willing to do to Help Right the Wrongs Committed Against Others?” The first thing you must go is to move past and beyond your fears about the repercussions of ‘speaking up, speaking out…saying something, and doing something,’ I am amazed at how many of your fear men and women on your job, but you don’t fear God, who made you and who has control of your life. It is time for all of us to say and do something, peacefully, but with a plan, action, and authority.
I challenge you to read the late Congressman John Lewis’ Opinion Editorial in the New York Times, entitled, “Together You Can Redeem the Soul of Our Nation.” This message was left for all of us, young and old. Notice two important words, “together” and “redeem.” I challenge you to explore and find out the truth about your history. I challenge you to find out who you really are. I challenge you to ask questions when you are unsure or lack understanding about what is going on around you and with others. I challenge you to read and stay abreast of current events. I challenge you to align yourself with PPGP’s (Positive People Going Places). I challenge you to get off your butts and get involved. I challenge you to join a “good trouble” movement, to help register voters, to ensure that you are registered, and to help others to either mail their ballots or make it to the voting polls. There is a lot that you can do. Choose to do something, after you speak up, speak out, stand up, and stand out, even if your standing and speaking means you are alone. In the end, you will be a part of a movement of action, change, and accountability, not only helping yourself, but also helping others!
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