How can you celebrate a historic event but diminish those who were part of that history? Hearing Julian Bond’s remarks cut off by music, and then Rev. Jesse Jackson receiving the same treatment was a sad commentary on our disrespect for our own history. Two individuals who were actually part of the civil rights movement, close to Dr. King and leaders in their own right were treated as if they were bad acts on the stage of the Apollo Theater on Amateur Night. How can you recognize history if you don’t recognize history? Rep. John Lewis, another foot soldier of the movement, fared little better and two icons of that era, Rev. C.T. Vivian and Rev. Joseph Lowery were treated as footnotes; almost afterthoughts as the program came to a close. Just as telling was watching NAACP CEO Ben Jealous rush through his remarks, painfully aware that at any minute his voice would be drowned out by the music of the oratory henchman.
Comments