This past Monday, a rally took place on the UAlbany campus to shine some light on the issues around the alleged racially motivated attacks against three African-American female students the Saturday before on a CDTA bus. Thousands showed up to give support to the cause and to be an ally against an issue that has stuck itself in the lives of so many people of all backgrounds.
I am, of course, an enemy of racism. I think it makes sense from a humanitarian sense; we all deserve equality under law and in society. The ladder is what's scary. We need to act in a way that is accepting, giving unconditional love and understanding when processing these issues.
Also, directly succeeding the rally, was a talk given by Carlotta Walls LaNier, one of the Little Rock Nine, the first group of black students to integrate in the public school system in Little Rock, Ark. in 1957. She was the youngest of those nine. Her speech was powerful, beautiful, sad, thought-provoking and enlightening, all at the same time. What I felt most was sympathy. I knew she and so many others who fought in her era were subject to such inhumane treatments. She persevered and came out of this situation of adversity in such a remarkable and profound way. I had nothing but the utmost respect for her cause and her experiences. She even moved me to purchase her book (I'll be reading it over break!).
What struck me was that even though she could go into the school and learn (from mostly willing teachers, by the way), she still had to be followed by guards to make sure no heinous actions were taken against her. Also, she could only participate in classroom activity. There were no extracurricular activities that she could be a part of. No sports, no math club. Nothing.
During her speech, she emphasized education as a catalyst to move through this very dark tunnel into enlightenment -- into understanding.
At the end, she participated in a Q and A moderated by UAlbany professors. Some of the questions were shocking. Her answers were even more shocking -- but they were so educational, and simply beautiful.
Q: What advice can you give to black women leaders in today's world?
A: Be mindful. Now, you have every opportunity to do the same things as anyone else. Be a change-maker!
Q: What advice do you have for young activists?
A: Help make better citizens. Make a change in the individual and the group will follow suit. Go to the RIGHT people to ask for help. Always remain nonviolent.
Q: How has our criminal justice system improved over time?
A: Far too many men of color are in jail. The middle- to lower-class suffers as a result because they're not able to receive proper representation. It perpetuates a cycle that isn't good for this country. Injustice takes place all the time; we just need to give service and help people!
Overall, it was a night of mixed emotions. First the rally, filled with poets and activists and beautiful speakers who are affected by today's issues. Then, a flash to the past, where I, and hundreds more learned the story of oppression in the '50s and 60's. So far, they sound awfully similar. Sure, schools are integrated and everyone is equal under law. But as I see it, if hate crimes of any kind are still happening anywhere, it's a sign of little progression. We -- all of us -- have a lot of work to do, still.
Cheers, and this time, Coexist.
