As we honor MLK, where do we go from here?

In 1967, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. published a book, “Where do we go from here: Chaos or community?”

More than 50 years later, the nation is asking, “Where do we go from here” amid the aftermath of an insurrection that took place on Capitol Hill and the historic second impeachment of President Donald Trump, accused of inciting the mob violence.

On Monday, most of the nation will celebrate Dr. King’s legacy. According to one of his friends, Dr. King pondered, “Where do we go from here,” remembering civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer’s response to a reporter questioning her about seeking equality with the White man.

In 1964, she had said to the reporter, “What would I look like fighting for equality with the White man? I don’t want to go down that low. I want the true democracy that’ll raise me and the White man — raise America.”

In his book, Dr. King attempted to explain that where we go from here is dependent on a democracy that raises all Americans. However, democracy comes with a significant price that America hadn’t been willing to pay to eradicate injustices.

After the 1965 Voting Rights Act, Dr. King pointed out that a year later, Black people were fighting for equality in Chicago “amid a rain of rocks and bottles, among burning automobiles, to the thunder of jeering thousands, many of them waving Nazi flags.”

White and Black civil rights workers were murdered in various communities, and their accusers were quickly acquitted.

The Los Angeles riot had happened. Critical issues such as substandard housing, racial disparities in wages, high unemployment, infant mortality, and unequal education persisted in the Black community.

The civil rights movement included many White allies who condoned brutality against Black people. Yet when it came to Black empowerment, White allies disappeared. White America walked off with the aggressors and White segregationists, said Dr. King.

America had dropped the ball for the umpteenth time, continuing to coddle, justify, reward, and normalize white supremacy. Last Wednesday was the result of the country’s continual hypocrisy and denial of long-standing issues.

So, where does the Black community go from here when, as another columnist stated, “Democracy has always been a threat to white supremacy.” Dr. King left detailed steps leading to how Black people can develop collective group empowerment. He discussed that the community must gain political education, rather than focusing only on increasing Black registration and votes.

Black people must create political leaders they choose, regardless of the political party, who share their morals and ethics. The individuals must have proven themselves that they will take Black people’s demands seriously and fight for them vigorously.

Dr. King also stated that Black people must learn how to scrutinize allies, understanding that a true alliance is based upon each group’s self-interest and a common interest. He explained that Black organizations must do more, as well as each individual. He emphasized supporting Black businesses, labor unions, and boycott when necessary. Dr. King pointed out that the government must implement a program specifically for Black — people meaning reparations.

The last two week’s events have become a significant distraction. However, Black people must remain focus on revolutionary, strategized, and transformative action steps that will strengthen the community, weakening white supremacy’s power over them.

Black men and Black women must also resist gender wars as both were oppressed as a collective and can only rise as a collective.

Meanwhile, until racism is demolished, the country will continue to ask, “Where do we go from here?”

Vacaville author, social issues advocate: damitchell@earthlink.net