Opinion: What I’m Observing as the Ghost of Civil Rights Past Haunts Ferguson

By Andrea Lawful-Trainer

The news media, depending on who they are, continue to report the events in such a biased way that I hardly watch the television.

Twitter has become the mainstream of “live” reporting and gave a much more accurate description as events unfolded.

Voting in our local and state elections has always been important, but never more than in this present moment. It is a right we must begin to fully exercise because each voting finger adds up to powerful fist of change. Black men and boys are still seen as three-fifths of a human being by far too many, and it doesn’t matter how educated and well raised they are.

What is happening right now in America feels like 1963 revisited. We as a people have become complacent and forgot to remind our children of our history so this could not happen to us anymore.

New, bold, black leadership has begun to emerge within the millennial generation; they understand the power of social media and are not afraid to use it to create change.

Anger, when channeled, is a powerful force; if we really desire to make a lasting change we must start in our local communities and work our way up  to changes in policy and practices at police departments, schools, courthouses and prisons.

White allies are stepping out of the shadows in ways that are heartwarming. It’s also a reminder that not everyone in America is filled with judgment and hate.

The ripple effect of not challenging the murders of so many unarmed men have begun and will be felt for years to come, and America’s ugly scab has been scraped off for the world to see. You better believe the world is watching. The revolution is televised live and many are now willing to die so that all can live in peace.

Andrea Lawful-Trainer is a proud mother of two black sons and is the Principal/CEO of C.A.P.E.S, Chairperson of SE PA CARES, an Affiliate of the National CARES Mentoring Movement, and one of the few black women in the world published by GoodMenProject.com.”

Editor’s note: This piece was originally published on PhillyInFocus.com.

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