Well, the new age is now. And thinking that – from now on, for better or worse – America will be viewed as Pre- and Post- Obama, Kings’ words ring just as true today as did 57 years ago.
America has come a long way, from considering Blacks one-third human to electing and re-electing President Barack Obama – the first African American to occupy the highest position in the Free World. Many would even argue that we live in a post racial society.
Now, we know – good and well – racism isn’t dead. It’s very much alive and kicking. Look at what our president has had to endure over the last four years. Everyone hasn’t and doesn’t judge him based upon the content of his character. The color of his skin is still an object of disdain, even though no one is willing to admit that’s the source of their hatred. No… they’ll say things like he’s a Muslim or communist – refusing to say, ‘I don’t like his policies because he’s Black.” That’s not politically correct these days.
However, do we realize that the last race card has been played with the re-election of Barack Obama?
What does this mean? Let’s put it into perspective.
Despite all of our struggles, there have been some benefits associated with being Black – especially with affirmative action in varying industries or academia – throughout the post reconstruction era America. Also, before integration, we purchased Black goods and services because we had no other choice. We supported Black businesses and Black entrepreneurship often flourished.
Parents sent their children to Black colleges and universities because the predominately white ones wouldn’t accept them despite meeting and exceeding criteria. HBCUs thrived.
But, o’ my, those times have changed. Those days are gone. Many Black institutions are struggling to survive. They can no longer count on the getting Black business simply because they are Black. Now, we must attract business because we are the best at what we do. We can no longer get a job because we are the token Black, we must get the job because we are the best for the position.
Being Black, alone, simply doesn’t cut it anymore. There’ll be no more sympathy for us. But that’s okay because it’s time we throw the crutches away and rise to our callings anyway.
In his speech, “Facing the Challenge of a New Age (Dec. 1956), Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “In the new age, we will be forced to compete with people of all races and nationalities. Therefore, we cannot aim merely to be good Negro teachers, good Negro doctors, good Negro ministers, good Negro skilled laborers. We must set out to do a good job, irrespective of race, and do it so well that nobody could do it better.”
Well, the new age is now. And thinking that – from now on, for better or worse – America will be viewed as Pre- and Post- Obama, Kings’ words ring just as true today as did 57 years ago.
