Structural Racism Did Not Disappear With Civil Rights Laws—It Adapted, Reassembled, and Persists
Racism did not go away after the limited victories of the Civil Rights Movement. I say “limited” because racialized policies, enforced by the current authoritarian-majoritarian regime, is manifested in political institutions and in economic exploitation even after all of those mighty struggles. Structural racism was challenged by SNCC, MLK, and many others and made to bend some, but the bones of its existence are always ready to reassemble to uphold white privilege and dominance. The zombies of white supremacy are always ready to rematerialize from the grave to impose their will. Thinking it was over after segregation ended (on paper), and after the civil rights acts were passed, was an atrocious blunder. Some of the civil rights activists that are still alive from the 1960s say negative things. Andrew Young was quoted as saying that, “Martin Luther King was educated at Moorehouse College, while Malcolm X was educated in Prison.” Why did he put it that way? It was more detailed than that! Many universities teach lies that we are now familiar with.
The Limited “Victory Party” Reversed by MAGA
Many in the Civil Rights Movement saw segregation tumble with the passage of the Civil Rights Acts, but did not understand the battle against white supremacy had only just begun. Unfortunately, many were short sighted and did not understand the battle against white supremacy is the real fight. Even now, the limited “victory party” is being reversed with racist rule by MAGA extremists. Unfortunately, many did not realize that white supremacy has a permanency. In the MLK speech titled “How Long, Not Long,” many were hopeful that voting rights would be granted, and they were, but the struggle for justice and freedom is a long road, not the sprint they hoped for, but a marathon that is still going on. Some in the Civil Rights Movement went to catnap never to awaken again; they became so satisfied with what was already achieved that they made no real further effort. MLK’s speech no longer has applicability in this century as police abuse, the removal of Black Studies, and DEI programs, along with redistricting schemes, and white terrorism continues. A whole new struggle needs to progress.
The Hope that Blacks and Browns Were Pacified
Despite King’s words, those who controlled the joysticks of white supremacy hoped that Blacks and Browns were pacified, or would find some other approach to get caught up in. Shamefully, some did, and thought that with the election of Barack Obama it was all over. This would happen, and some folks went home and went to sleep as if the struggle was over. It never ends, until there is a non-racial democratic society. It is not over, not by a long-shot. When Trump was elected, which some thought would never happen, he emboldened the sleeping giant of white supremacy to spread from their temporary tomb.
Once Again An In-Your-Face Problem
Some thought that movements to oppose crime in the community would become a new Civil Rights Movement. Sure, oppose crime, but it will not stop racism or injustice based on skin color. The movement to oppose crime in the community ended up helping white supremacy solidified the white supremacist belief that all Blacks are criminals. Building more jails and prisons is no answer and only helps the racists justify racialized policies. We must not forget that white supremacy brought the crime and the drugs to the community in the first place through segregation and Jim Crow law. The bigger picture is that white supremacy has a lasting permanence and is now once again an in-your-face problem as encouraged by the dictatorial regime in Washington. Better get WOKE!
