“Rule-following, legal precedence, and political consistency are not more important than right, justice, and plain common sense.” – W.E.B. Du Bois
W.E.B. Du Bois shared this sentiment in 1935, and in 2024, amidst anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) backlash, it remains relevant and necessary. As we confront the persistent injustices of our modern era, we have much to learn from the teachings and legacies of Black thinkers and our collective resistance movements. As Du Bois argued, prioritizing adherence to rules, legal precedence, and political consistency should not overshadow the values of integrity, justice, and good judgment.
Taking on a Retrospective Lens
From well-known civil rights leaders like Fannie Lou Hamer, whose activism centered on securing voting rights for Black Southerners, notably through her leadership in the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, to lesser-known advocates like Frank Smith Jr., who played a role in organizing the Mississippi Freedom Labor Union and was engaged with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) — their collective impact, combined with numerous efforts before and during their era, has shaped Black political thought. Furthermore, it has also left a lasting imprint on American society, inspiring new scholarship and contributing to both the building and protecting of democratic principles. Drawing lessons from these movements can guide us in addressing ongoing challenges by renewing our commitment to the historic tradition of Black resistance.
The Ongoing Struggle
Recently, our society has faced urgent and deeply concerning issues reminiscent of historical challenges. These issues include, but are not limited to, efforts to erase Black history and significant backlash against DEI initiatives, with critics questioning their validity and necessity. Additionally, discriminatory workplace practices and widening economic disparities contribute to these challenges, perpetuating social and systemic barriers to equity. Further, there’s a palpable sense of distrust in democratic institutions, with many people questioning their effectiveness, integrity, and ability to meet public needs. These challenges have spurred increased activism and advocacy for social justice, with individuals drawing inspiration from past movements and strategies.
Past Lessons and Future Directions
At this critical juncture, where advocacy and activism intersect with backlash and attempts to rewrite history to thwart liberation and progress, adopting a retrospective lens is invaluable. By looking back, we are better able to discern the recurring historical pattern of systemic and ideological opposition to equity and justice. This isn’t a new struggle, but rather a continuation of a long-standing struggle. Consider, for instance, the report by the Kerner Commission (2018), which underscores the ongoing disparities between Black and white Americans in economic outcomes. The comparison between the state of Black workers and their families in 1968 with their circumstances in 2018, 50 years after the release of the report, reveals mixed findings. While Black Americans have made progress in absolute terms since 1968, we still face significant disadvantages compared to White Americans. Moreover, in some key areas, we have experienced regression, in comparison to White Americans and to our own status in 1968. Again, it’s evident that what we are experiencing is the continuation of a long-standing struggle.
Gleaning from the lessons and legacy of historic Black resistance by adopting a retrospective lens doesn’t just illuminate the path we’ve traversed — it also empowers us to galvanize our organizations and communities to act and advocate for meaningful change. This deeper understanding of the forces we continue to face allows us to place current social movements and advocacy efforts within a broader, more honest, and insightful framework.
Critical Historic Instances, Principles, and Strategies
Particularly, we can meet the demands of this current moment by striving to:
- Build and Bridge
- Embrace Community and Act Collectively
- Double Down on the Commitment to Justice
- Organize and Mobilize for Change
Build and Bridge
In the face of skepticism and opposition toward DEI and other equity-based initiatives, bridge building — particularly fostering understanding and collaboration among different groups and intersecting identities — offers the potential to equip us with the necessary tools and skills to meet this moment. For instance, the legacy of Brad Lomax is particularly noteworthy. Lomax, a former member of the Black Panther Party and a disability rights activist, played a pivotal role in advocating to address the intersectionality of race and disability. Engaging in numerous protests and demonstrations advocating for disability rights, including the historic 504 Sit-in, Lomax fought for the implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities. His legacy serves as a reminder to organize our efforts with inclusivity in mind. This means increasing access and fostering a sense of belonging within and between different communities, and centering those who are knowledgeable about and have experienced injustice. Their insights and guidance often pave the way toward creating more liberated and accountable spaces.
Embrace Community and Act Collectively
An essential principle to help guide our ongoing efforts for justice is collectivism — an ideology prioritizing collective action, cooperation, and community over individual interests. The African philosophy of Ubuntu, translating to “I am because we are,” encapsulates this essence and highlights the significance of community. Collectivism involves the practice of shared ownership of resources, communal decisionmaking processes, and the cultivation of solidarity among group members. These principles are essential for strengthening our movements and fostering an environment where mutual support and collaboration can thrive, enabling us to collectively pursue common goals and co-create the social change we seek. A poignant example of collectivism is evident in organizations like the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). In the 1960s, SNCC underscored grassroots organizing and collective action, mobilizing efforts to register Black voters, orchestrate protests and sit-ins, and challenge anti-Black segregation and discrimination in the South.
Double Down on the Commitment to Justice
Learning from past efforts of an unwavering commitment to justice is crucial for two reasons. First, it allows us to understand what strategies and principles have been effective in driving equitable change. For example, during the Civil Rights Movement, strategies such as revolutionary nonviolent resistance and grassroots organizing were employed to challenge systemic racism and segregation, ultimately leading to landmark legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Second, it underscores the importance of perseverance, reminding us that achieving progress toward justice often demands sustained effort and dedication. Many postulate this as a disproportionate burden given the centuries of waiting, effort, protests, advocacy, and resistance that have already occurred. Yet and still, maintaining a posture of commitment to justice not only disrupts the status quo, but also cultivates trust and credibility within our communities. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s timeless assertion, “The time is always right to do what is right,” emphasizes the enduring significance of seeking justice, equity, and fairness at all times. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we double down on this commitment.
We can look to the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement as a poignant example of sustained Black resistance. Since its inception in 2013, BLM, through its various proponents, has persisted through recurrent instances of police violence against Black people, organizing enduring demonstrations, advocating for systemic reforms, and engaging in grassroots initiatives despite facing criticism and backlash from bad faith actors and opponents. As Audre Lorde, a Black lesbian feminist writer, poet, and civil rights activist once aptly stated, “Revolution is not a one-time event,” underscoring the movement’s commitment to continuous struggle and the ongoing nature of social justice efforts. BLM’s commitment emphasizes the importance of sustained dedication in the pursuit of a more equitable society.
Organize and Mobilize for Change
The ability to organize and mobilize for social change is an essential component of a thriving democracy, especially given the complexities of our current political landscape. As civil rights icon John Lewis so poignantly stated, “A democracy cannot thrive where power remains unchecked, and justice is reserved for a select few. Ignoring these cries and failing to respond to this movement is simply not an option — for peace cannot exist where justice is not served.” In the face of the pervasive backlash against DEI, as well as the ongoing erasure of Black history, organizing and mobilizing become even more crucial strategies for effecting change. Organized action not only allows us to amplify marginalized voices against injustice, but also fosters unity and collective strength, propelling our efforts to confront and challenge systemic inequities.
Conclusion
By embracing the above principles, we fortify our movements and foster the development of more effective and sustainable solutions that promote inclusiveness and sense of belonging. These solutions propel us closer to realizing the many different forms of justice we seek.
As we reflect on historic demonstrations of Black resistance, we must confront the challenges of the present, including backlash against DEI, the erasure of Black history, and the divisiveness sowed by some of our leaders. Building and bridging with community and collectivism in mind, along with an unwavering commitment to justice, and the ability to organize and mobilize for change, remain essential principles and strategies in the pursuit of equity and liberation for Black and other historically marginalized communities.
At Community Science, we help to design strategies and conduct research and evaluation in service of fighting injustices. We continuously hone our skills, tools, and practices to inform solutions such as community organizing, leadership development, institutional strengthening, sense of community, and systems change. We repeatedly learn the importance of understanding our history to inform today’s solutions and our future directions.
About The Author
Faith D. Garnett, Senior Analyst at Community Science, is a critical thinker and incisive writer who strategically partners with organizations interested in systems transformation and organizational effectiveness to operationalize racial equity at the enterprise scale. She is skilled in qualitative research, group facilitation, community engagement, and teaching communities about racial equity and conflict analysis and resolution.