Page 11 - Florida Sentinel 9-11-15 Edition

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New York Times Columnist Talks About Civil Rights Movement Vs. Black Lives Matter Movement At Recent Lecture
Publix Raises More Than $6 Million During March For Babies Campaign
KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
‘The young Black activists of today shouldn’t be held to the same standard of the vet- erans of the Civil Rights Movement and the latter should help the former chan- nel their anger to make effec- tive change.‘
That was the message au- thor and TV commentator and New York Times colum- nist, Charles Blow deliv- ered on Tuesday to an audience of about 300 people at Eckerd College’s Fox Hall.
Young Civil Rights activists back then, were motivated to do something in response to Till’s death – a sentiment that is shared with those in- volved with Black Lives Mat- ter and other social justice causes of today, Mr. Blow said.
Just as activists of the 50s and 60s were tired of the beatings, harassment, and deaths of Blacks, so, too, are the activists of the 21st cen- tury, Blow said.
“We’re now experiencing a repeat of that fatigue,” he said.
The recent deaths of Black men at the hands of white men or white police officers – Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Eric Garner – has sparked new discussions about race and civil rights, Mr. Blow said.
“These cases are about whether there is a strong in- equity in the presumption of innocence,” he said. “These cases are about the durability of democracy itself.”
“They are also about the most basic question concern- ing humanity itself: If we are all created equal, shouldn’t we all be treated equal? “
When it comes to the strategies and tactics of young activists today, they don’t compare to those of the Civil Rights Movement. That’s because today’s young activists are different from those of previous genera- tions.”
“You can’t talk to someone
CHARLES BLOW
who was born 20 years ago about a death that happened one year ago, and compare it to something that you did 50 years ago,” he said. “They speak a different language.”
Mr. Blow, 45, said he could relate to the disconnect today’s activists may have with the Civil Rights Move- ment. All information and knowledge about that time in American history was derived from books and through tele- vision, he said.
“I was born on the heels of the Civil Rights Movement,” he said. “I didn’t see my par-
ents struggle or their parents struggle. It was more aca- demic for me.”
It wasn’t until the beating of Rodney King by four white police officers in Los Angeles that “all my inno- cence melted” and was re- placed by a hunger for social justice. In that case, the offi- cers were acquitted of as- saulting King.
Those who condemn the protests that have sprung up in response to violent actions against Black men should re- visit American history, Mr. Blow said.
“Violent revolt has often been the catalyst for change in this country,” he said. “This country started as an active revolt.”
Blow has been writing an op-ed column for The Times since 2008, and has been a leading voice over the past year in chronicling the “Black Lives Matter” movement, fo- cusing on the deaths of Blacks in the hands of law en- forcement. Last year, Blow published his memoir, Fire Shut Up in My Bones. Michael Eric Dyson called it “an instant classic of American letters.”
For 20 years, Publix Super Markets, Incor- porated has worked alongside the March of Dimes to give all babies a healthy start in life. This year, during their annual three week in- store March for Babies fundraising campaign, Publix customers and associates raised $6,050,470, an 18% in- crease from 2014, bring their 20 year total to an impressive contribution of $57 million for stronger healthier babies.
Since Publix joined the March of Dimes in 1995, there have been many great successes.
March For Babies is the March of Dimes largest fundraiser and America’s favorite walking event. Money raised in March For babies supports he March of Dimes mission for stronger, healthier babies and funds important research and community programs. Since 1970, the event has raised an incredible $2.3 billion to benefit all babies and takes place in nearly 700 com- munities across the country.
The March of Dimes is the leading non-profit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, ed- ucation, vaccines, and breakthroughs.
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