Black History Lesson: Organize, Mobilize

By Editorial Board
The CAU Panther, Clark Atlanta University

We saw numerous celebrity faces on Clark Atlanta's campus in February. Black History Month seemed rather political this year.

Speakers ranged from a former congresswoman to current politicians to activists to radio personalities to motivational speakers -- each bringing his or her own individual message.

Former Rep. Cynthia McKinney warned about the USA Patriot Act.

One message rang loud and clear: Black students at historically black colleges and universities can get up and make a change in the world we live in. We are responsible for what happens to us and our future, and for the future for those after us.

Cynthia McKinney, the former Georgia congresswoman, addressed us in a passionate speech about the Patriot Act and its implications and stipulations for African Americans, telling us how something so subtle can rob us of our very right to privacy.

Veron Jones, chief executive officer of DeKalb County, Ga., spoke about economics and the black community.

KRS One, the rapper who once wrote lyrics for songs, now writes full paragraphs in books.

Even U.S. Senator Zell Miller, D-Ga., talked about the world we live in and what he calls our "deficit of decency," how what used to be positive rap -- which he actually called "crap" during a floor speech Feb. 12 -- became much less than a message: simply someone jumping up and down grabbing his crotch.

The message is that we can't be still, that we shouldn't be still and that we won't be still. The speakers who traveled to Clark Atlanta might have come simply to fulfill a bargain or to "give back" to their community, along with many others; but they are urging African American students to move.

But they can't force us to change what we don't want to change. When we hear about new laws and rights, new bills passed and new officers up for elections, what do we do besides idly stand by and wait for them to dictate our futures?

The message is to "organize and mobilize," words spoken so eloquently by Dr. William Boone, dean of graduate studies and associate professor of political science at Clark Atlanta, in a response to McKinney's speech on what African Americans should do to combat the Patriot Act.

It is time to end the era of complacency. It's time for us to take politics and matters that affect us into our own hands, instead of being chastised or even defeated for doing nothing at all.

Vote! The number of voting participants in the Atlanta University Center is at its lowest. Men and women in office are waiting to hear our voices. Political parties and campaigns are waiting to see our colored faces.

By the editorial board of The CAU Panther at Clark Atlanta University.

Posted March 1, 2004