Democracy, Freedom, Redemption and Reconciliation
My journey began on December 3, 2019. At least the journey to connect and understand the relationship between these terms within the context of economic equity and liberation. I surmised and opined about the relationships between racism, economics, spirituality, and liberation but in those 30 days was blessed with firsthand experiences that have ably helped to connect the dots.
December 3, 2019, Clayborne Temple
I unceremoniously evaded the tour of my assigned group to visit the Memphis Tennessee sites where anchor collaboratives were focusing on building opportunities for youth in the city and instead joined the tour that would highlight the community economic development initiatives in Memphis. The first stop was Clayborn Temple, the dilapidated building in which support for civil rights activism was launched and historic speeches and marches took place. The building was cold, with streaming daylight penetrating the snaggle toothed boards barely holding the building together. We huddled together in the volatile sanctuary as Anasa Troutman the activist/artist welcomed us to the place that she and others in the community were attempting to salvage and renovate for posterity. The sunbeams poured through the thin and uninsulated slats of wood that passed for walls as we listened to the story of how the community came together in this building to hear MLK speak to the Memphis sanitation workers and inspire them to align with the burgeoning strategy to expand the civil rights focus to include all poor people and to dismantle the economic oppression felt by the workers. In that cold but bright sanctuary, her passion for the project ignited a fire in us all and we came to see the building as she and the other members of the community trying to raise the $10MM needed to renovate and preserve the space as a community asset did. A place owned by the residents and descendants of those striking community members in 1968 saw it. A place maker; a refuge; a sanctuary of their hopes, dreams, and legacies.
As we filed out of that space and into the sunny outdoor memorial the words “I AM A MAN” claimed the space and the sentiment of the time. In 1968, two sanitation workers in Memphis were killed in a garbage truck- they were in the compactor trying to stay warm. The union members went on strike to protest the poor working conditions.
The memorial created by an artist from San Francisco summed up the singular premise of the oppressed peoples it represented.
Surrounding the memorial was a timeline of the events that led to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and the movement sparked by the Sanitation Workers union that fueled the violence that erupted in response to the assassination of MLK. The alabaster walls surrounding the memorial captured quotes from residents that illuminated the struggle for equality and decent wages
“I am a man” meant freedom.
“All we wanted was some decent working conditions and a decent salary. And to be treated like men not boys.”
Taylor Rogers, Sanitation Worker
“Never stop and forget that collectively – that means all of us together- collectively we are richer.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
“Whenever men and women straighten their backs, they are going somewhere because a man cannot ride on your back unless it is bent.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
“Let us develop a kind of dangerous unselfishness.”
December 29, 2019
Apartheid Museum- Mandela Exhibit
At his coming-of-age ceremony, Madiba underwent the traditional ritual of circumcision along with other young boys. He spoke openly about the actual pain he endured and the ritual recitation at the time of circumcision when he was required to stoically state, “I am a man” while looking directly into the eyes of the elder performing the act. He admitted to not having the same strength and confidence in the profession as others.
He is redeemed by the courage, compassion, and devotion to the collective advancement of his people. The 27 years on Robben Island taught him the humility required to subrogate his own ego and yield to the needs of his fellow compatriots. While on Robben Island, he was offered the opportunity for release. He refused stating that he could not be free while others of his compatriots were not free. His commitment to collective richness of his people’s freedom was a clear demonstration of his courage and solidarity in pursuit of freedom. He lived and displayed that “dangerous unselfishness” that Martin Luther King Jr. prophesied. Today we are challenged to continue the legacy. How will you demonstrate courage and unselfishness to ensure that we are collectively richer?