Speak Out!
Civil Rights 2.0
Sun, 05/04/2008 - 21:09 | Civil Rights
A Washington Post article says that a new generation of Blacks, critical of the old guard, is taking activism online, in a big way:
The new black revolution, as singer Gil Scott-Heron famously predicted, is not being televised. It is raging online. A growing cadre of young black activists is using the Internet in an attempt to eclipse traditional civil rights organizations such as the NAACP and hit the refresh button on the civil rights movement.The article quotes activist Van Jones as saying, "Groups such as the NAACP do not understand the hip-hop generation and never reached out, forcing young African Americans to find their own way." Can computer savvy activists overtake traditional civil rights organizations in affecting societal change?
How to Make Black America Better
Comments
Each one, teach one. We the
Each one, teach one. We the young can and do draw from the knowledge and wisdom of those older than self. The Internet is another tool for organizing. We the people must organize in order to bring about a change. The same tactics of using water hoses and dogs on protesters has not changed. Direct energy weapons the so called non-lethal crowd control technology has been added. No the revolution will not be televised. But it will be organized. Thank God there are young folks not sitting back on their morals and are willing to fight for what is right. And Praise God for the older generation who are willing to go to their closet and pull out a stick so that humanity can move forward for all.
Do you think that the younger
Do you think that the younger generation see's the CRO old guards- as a group of apostate to them? :(
And if not; why is it that questions about the CRO are constantly brought up? To me that spells trouble around the table of discussion. I don't know about anyone else but my opinion is this; in order to unite and move a generation forward, we must first stop, listen, respect and then proceed.
Sometimes our older generation can't seem to rationalize with that concept. It's almost like when people know that they are older than you are- this divulges a barrel of wisdom. I differ that logic, because there are old fools still lurking around, without a lick of wisdom. I think-and this is just my opinion, but when you respect each other's opinion-that door of communication is so much easier to walk through.
I'm not bridging an easier debate for the younger generation-just a resounding thought of how the younger generation has decided to move forward w/o the old guards. I can see how this decision was made.
Interesting feedback on this
Interesting feedback on this issue...there are however a few things that should be taken into context when considering this pursuit:
1) As indicated in a few posts above, the times we are in are constantly changing and progressing. While I DO agree that the MOST power can be found in physical numbers, we should be using the advancement of the Internet to our advantage. What better way is there to make information available and to organize the people? The Internet gives us a fantastic opportunity to streamline information. In addition to those benefits, consider the fact that the majority of our commerce, politics, media, etc...runs through the Internet. Grow with the times; accomplish some good.
2) The function of the NAACP needs to be re-evaluated. For several years now I have been attempting to work with the organization to develop programs for my community which (I believe) would actually benefit the people here. Unfortunately, I have come up against an extremely bureaucratic organization that consistently fails to pursue any actual goals I would like to think the NAACP is still striving to reach towards. It has turned into something of a networking opportunity for the white-collared community, and less of a group of accomplishment that applies to our communities. Forgive me for sounding off on a political realm for a moment, but my vote for Obama is to place him in a re-constructive position on the board of the NAACP. I don't feel that he is suitable for the office he is running, but he has so many great abilities and talents, and an incredible knack for building, gathering and motivating people to do great things. Time for change? Absolutely. But start from the inside...start with the people that need it the most, on the lowest level, which is within their homes.
3) Our youth are our hope for the future. It would behoove us (this younger generation) to spend time with those that have paved the way before us, to learn of manageable tactics and combine that knowledge with the things that we have learned within OUR generation to accomplish the changes we need. The "traditional" organizations also need a lesson in modifying their tactics to reach the younger generation, by working hand-in-hand.
All I have left to mention is that there is some recognition due to my generation that routinely gets missed. The level of personal responsibility we feel, to MAKE changes, is overwhelming, and the response at the youth level is intoxicating. We are DOING things! We are developing our opinions and becoming INVOLVED! Thank goodness...I fear if we don't, the cause may be lost in Alumni parties and recognition assemblies...
~Kaneischa
Both the old and the new
Both the old and the new generations are dependent on each other for survival. The old generation has a history and learned experiences to pass down, and the new generation has the strength and willpower to go forward. Like it or not, we are tied to each other. We should uplift and not try to embarrass the other. As part of the old generation, we were young once, but that never stopped our elders from giving advice. The older generation needs to be reminded that we were not saints. We were given a chance to grow. Now that we are older, we have become wiser. Young people, you too will become wiser as your grow older and put away things that will no longer peak your interest.
Glad to see young folk taking
Glad to see young folk taking a stance, but how far do they expect to get by sounding off on the Internet? The "old guard" got change because they faced people head-on and not behind a screen name. Rage online all you want but the real change came from getting in people's faces, like Dr. King and his followers did. Not saying that the Internet is not a powerful tool, but let's not be too quick to forget the lessons of the past.
2008 is the year of new
2008 is the year of new beginnings and, with that, I think it is appropriate that this new begin to take things in a new direction. I do think that it is important that both generations seek to understand one another and work together. There is no way that the movement can be effective if those from the past refuse to see the vision of this current generation, and if those who are in this current generation refuse to listen to those who have come before us. In order to do that there has to be a deliberate seeking to understand each other.
I am in my late thirties and while I believe that we cannot use the old methods of marching and protesting to get our points across, I believe that as we take the movement in different directions, that we have to be sure that we do not alienate those from the past. The Bible urges us to seek wise council from those who came before us. I would also like to think that this generation is more than just the hip-hop generation. Yes hip-hop is a big aspect of our culture, but I don't think that the entire generation should be labeled as such.
I am old enough to take a
I am old enough to take a longer view than most young folk. What they don't realize is that there was never a monolithic organization that FREED us. There were always myriad major and minor players that helped us progress from 1619 until today.
Ecclesiates says this: Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. :-)
Thank God the new generation
Thank God the new generation are stepping up and going in a different direction! The Civil Rights old guards have been in a mindless illusion when it comes to understanding the new generation and how to connect to them.
I'm so tired of the old guards gathering at the table of divisive language and old dinner dining filled with old blueprints of yesterday. No one can get a new word/plan for the future in motion-with all of the old guards wearing hearing-aids.
It's such a relief to see immutable old guards' ideas being replaced with what can be seen as much needed dialogue. With much respect for the path that has been sown, it's time for a new set of footprints. We need to be taken to a higher aptitude of thinking. High enough to see the ridges of obstacles that can only be overcome by a new shovel of energy, a new plan.
2008 is the year of change and no matter how much we fight change-it's inevitable. Name one thing that stays the same?
My guess would be the word of God-what's yours?