“We have to do it on our own, Cindy. You can’t help anymore.” She said it gently, but it was pretty painful. I’d been involved in campus civil rights advocacy since I’d arrived as a freshman in 1964, just a little bit more than a year after the March on Washington. Now it was the fall of 1966 and we were back from summer vacation.
I was early for the first action meeting of the year and ran into my friend Cheryl on the steps. I started to ask about plans for the year and she shook her head — then told me that the Black students on campus had decided to build from within their own community. It was kind of “thanks but no thanks.” I was sad, but not angry – I knew what she was saying and as much as I wanted to be part of what they were doing, I understood their desire to act independently.
That was almost 50 years ago and still students of color are forced to demand respect, rather than assume it. This time, at least, they got it.
My sister Pittsburgher Dr. Goddess sums up: “The Movement we just witnessed was intersectional, humanist, gendered, Black-led and labor-fed. Celebrate the Vision!” #Mizzou
OH – and because we should always seek the wisdom of Dave Zirin in moments like these,, take a look at this thoughtful meditation on racial justice AND the power of student athletes.