Knowledge Is Better Shared

The Civil Rights movement of the 1960s was very successful in that people of color were finally able to exercise their rights, as citizens of America, and have federal law backing us.  This movement opened so many doors, for all American citizens, moving forward, and I appreciate every drop of blood, sweat and every tear that was shed during that time.  Because of the selfless human beings who marched for me to have the rights I have today, I can be great and enjoy the fruits of their labor and suffering.  However, somewhere along the way I think the ball was dropped as far as continuing to educate the next generation on the importance of the movement and staying involved.

I believe that education is the key to any and everything that humans do.  For example, if you've never purchased a home before, you're more than likely going to educate yourself on how the process works so that you have a better understanding of what you're getting yourself into.  Likewise, people of color, especially those of us who have African ancestors, should be knowledgeable about the struggle of the movement so that we could understand how to successfully get past things that are currently happening in America.  I believe that those who fought for my civil rights did a courageous thing, but I don't feel that the later generations have been educated enough about what happened back in the 40s, 50s, and 60s.

What I think has happened is that now there are millions of people of color, who have "made it" and now they do not want to risk their positions, their money, their accomplishments, to walk this road that has come into view yet again.  It's as if people have said, "I've got mine, now you get yours."  The knowledge and understanding activists had then, has not been transferred to us now.  Don't get me wrong, we have activists here and there, but I believe that there are so many who are missing the message.  I believe there are so many people who are uneducated about what's going on in the world and I think it's because the first generation did not properly, successfully educate the next generation.