All of us might recall our history, in part. We remember Martin Luther King Junior delivered the famous “I Have a Dream” speech on Lincoln Mall. While we may not have been there on that momentous day, we have read accounts, seen footage, or perhaps have spoken to someone who was there. But do we recollect the original goals or what the March was actually for? (Hint: Jobs and Freedom.) We say we do. The question is might we be influenced by today’s realities. We hear that Marches are planned to honor the historic occasion. The Fifth Anniversary March hosted by The Center For the Study of Civil and Human Rights Laws and The Fifth Anniversary March sponsored by The National Action Network. Others, such as The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the The United Federation of Teachers will join the latter ceremonial events. The President of the United States of America will address attendees at the afore-mentioned proceedings. But what of the original intent? What was said in the name now long forgotten? Jobs and Freedom!

These were never fully addressed. As Algernon Austin of the Economic Policy Institute so profoundly stated.

The hard economic goals of the march, critical to transforming the life opportunities of African Americans, were not fully achieved. The organizers of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom also demanded decent housing, adequate and integrated education, a federal jobs program for full employment, and a national minimum wage of over $13.00 an hour in today’s dollars.

Today, fifty years later we celebrate the anniversary and in the words of the National Action Network March we honor what was accomplished. In NANs statement we recognize the work never done. However, the fullness of the history is ignored. The writings are separate from the past while sprinkled with elements of what was. Possibly, our greatest challenge is to bear in mind that as glorious as it might be to revel in the past, the true work was never done.

Might we contemplate the vitality of what is missing? Could we acknowledge that any focus on a single personal concern, education, peace, “human rights” advocacy for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender communities detracts from demands. Silence on subjects that matter may serve to reinforce past inequities. While other issues are significant on their own, each might obfuscate the broader concern. This country is not colorblind; we are colormute! As long as we place other priorities above the primary goal of the 1963 March organizers, A. Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin, we will never truly and fully finish the Unfinished March.

So, as we walk together down the Mall on Washington, District of Columbia, let is stand strong for improving the socioeconomic position of African Americans. May we understand this veracity “required an end to both race- and class-based injustices in America (Anderson 1997, 239–240; March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom 1963b, 3).”

It is essential that we realize that what we thought was might not have been. Yes, as Algernon Austin so aptly penned

“The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech at the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Millions of Americans know that speech well enough to paraphrase its concluding passages. But there were nine other speeches that day, calling not just for legal rights, but for jobs and a living wage. On this 50th anniversary year of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, it is critical to revisit this forgotten history of the march.

In 2013, we may walk together down a newer path, but please consider that our earlier decisions to deny what was an Unfinished March in favor of a more flavorful agenda lead to the injustices of today. With that we submit an invitation to participate and ponder.

Perhaps further the dream, or realize that we never did. Please March, and still never forget that the past was our prologue. Ask yourself, if we glorify yesteryear, or place other priorities over Jobs and Freedom for those whose skin is darker, will we ever achieve “Justice,” peace, and access to public education for all? If the past is a predictor than our answer must be likely not.
May we present a Call to Action that differs from what was and yet, pay deference to the goals never delivered.

From the National Action Network in accordance with their 50th Anniversary March

Dear Members, Supporters, and Partners:

On Saturday, August 24, 2013 we will gather at 8AM at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC to stand together against the recent attack on voter rights, against Stand Your Ground and racial profiling, and to continue to raise awareness on unemployment, poverty, gun violence, immigration, gay rights and other critical issues affecting our nation. 50 years ago when we marched on Washington it was an historic event that lead to the passage of the very civil rights legislation that ended Jim Crow and began the modern era of civil rights. It brought us our dignity, our humanity and our march to realize the dream that so many had given their lives for.

50 years later we need you as much as we did in 1963. Today, the first African American President in the history of our nation sits in the White House. That would not have been possible without the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The Supreme Court in the final days of its term this year has struck down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act and thereby have place our right to vote in jeopardy. We must turn out by the hundreds of thousands in Washington DC on August 24th and we need your financial commitment to ensure our success.

This past weekend we held vigils in 100 cities across the nation for Trayvon Martin. These vigils were a huge success because of all of you. Now, it is critical that we harness this heightened awareness of our collective strength to sustain a movement.

Your support will help us to cover increased costs to make August 24th a huge success. Support the March by making a donation to the National Action Network. Your support will ensure that our voices are heard as we continue to realize the dream of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.

Your donation can be made online or by mailing a check or money order to:

National Action Network
106 West 145th Street
 New York, NY 10039

No Justice. No Peace!

March and Remember the Dream was never achieved. No Justice, No Peace will be reached unless and until we March For Jobs and Freedom for African Americans (and all people of color.). Let us not continue to defend our pretense of being colorblind by being colormute.

Resources and References…

copyright © 2013 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink