Release Date: February 26, 2016
Many of us have been thrilled by the video of 106-year-old mentor and school volunteer Mrs. Virginia McLaurin visiting the White House during a Black History Month celebration to meet — and dance with — President and Mrs. Obama. Her joy in being there and fulfilling her dream of meeting the first African-American President and First Lady was infectious. Born a child of South Carolina sharecroppers in 1909, this was a day she never dreamed would come: “I didn’t think I’d ever live to see a colored president. I am so happy.”
Moments like these give us a chance to appreciate how much change a citizen like Mrs. McLaurin has seen in her lifetime. When she was born America was firmly in the grip of Jim Crow, segregation, racial violence and political disenfranchisement that characterized the decades following the initial post-Civil War promise of Reconstruction. She moved to Washington, D.C. in 1941, in time to see the activism of A. Philip Randolph, Bayard Rustin and others urging the federal government to desegregate our armed forces and provide more economic opportunity for African-Americans. She saw burgeoning civil rights activities like these surge into a transforming movement across the South including the 1963 March on Washington in her new hometown. And she saw the Civil Rights Movement lead to significant changes — enough to allow her to visit President and Mrs. Obama in the White House in 2016.
When we look at arcs of history like this, where are we today? Many scholars see the Civil Rights Movement as a second Reconstruction Era and a second try at rebuilding our nation into one truly committed to liberty and justice for all. But just as the progress of the first Reconstruction was followed by decades of retrenchment and reversal, many of the formidable threats millions of poor children and families of all races but especially children of color face today are very dangerous steps backwards. Unjust racial profiling and killing of Black boys and men by law enforcement officers enjoined to protect them; mass incarceration of people of color — especially Black males; massive attacks on voting rights which especially impact the poor, people of color, the elderly, disabled and the young; and resegregating and substandard schools denying millions of poor Black, Latino and Native American children basic literacy, numeracy and other skills they will need to work in our increasingly competitive globalized economy should be siren calls to wake up and fight back.
Past lessons have led some scholars and observers to believe we may be in a second post-Reconstruction Era, fighting deliberate widespread well-funded regression and backlash against progress made. But Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, the head of North Carolina’s NAACP chapter and a leader in the “Moral Mondays” movement, views this historical moment with optimism but urges vigilance. In his new book with Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, The Third Reconstruction: Moral Mondays, Fusion Politics, and the Rise of a New Justice Movement, Dr. Barber argues that the beginnings of a Third Reconstruction are underway—rooted in “fusion politics” that have changed our nation before and can do it again.
The Third Reconstruction describes how what has become the Forward Together Moral Movement was the outgrowth of several years of theological education and grassroots organizing in North Carolina that coalesced in 2013 with Moral Mondays, a nonviolent civil disobedience campaign of protests, rallies, and arrests that has been adapted in other states, including Florida, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Ohio and New York. The multifaith, multiracial movement is committed to a 14-point People’s Agenda including education, health care, the economy and reforming the justice and electoral systems, and is supported by over 150 coalition partners. The book describes the historical impact that can occur when people are willing to form strong coalitions for change. The coalition in North Carolina includes progressive people of faith, union members, immigrants, Appalachian workers and many more and may be a model for others committed to racial and economic justice.
When Dr. Barber spoke to a group of young leaders at a Children’s Defense Fund event last June, he explained why he believes multiracial, multifaith, nonviolent coalitions are essential right now: “So what many extremists are trying to do is abort the third reconstruction. That’s why they are telling America this myth . . . You want a great America? Deny public education, deny health care, deny living wages, deny labor rights. You really, really want a great America? Deny immigrant rights. Deny LGBTQ rights. Deny women’s rights. You really want a great America? Deny the right to vote. You really want a great America? Turn everybody against everybody. Pit Muslims against Christians and women against men. Call the president everything you can but a child of God . . . And if you really, really, really, really want a great America, make sure that people can get a gun quicker than they can vote. . . . And I stopped by to tell you that in this moment we better know who we are and where we are, and that in this moment of a possible third reconstruction we are called to speak truth in times like these . . . Dr. King said: ‘The dispossessed of this nation—the poor, both white and Negro—live in a cruelly unjust society. They must organize a revolution against that injustice, not against the lives of their fellow citizens, but against the structures through which the society is refusing to deal with the issues of injustice.’ And I want you to know it’s your time, and we can learn from the past.”
is our time. We must all learn from the past to end another era of backlash and backsliding and keep moving forward together.
As I watched the video of Mrs. Virginia McLaurin, I could only smile, laugh, and imagine how great she felt in that moment. To have been born in South Carolina to sharecroppers in 1909, and meeting President and Mrs. Obama has to be nothing short of amazing. As I think about her happiness of seeing a dream come true, I cannot help but think of others such as Forest Whitaker.
ReplyDeleteIt was one specific part of Mrs. Edelman's column that struck me. She states, you want a great America? Deny public education, deny health care, deny living wages, and deny labor rights. You really, really want a great America? Deny immigrant rights. Deny LGBTQ rights. Deny women’s rights. You really want a great America? Deny the right to vote. You really want a great America? Turn everybody against everybody. Pit Muslims against Christians and women against men. Call the president everything you can but a child of God . . . And if you really, really, really, really want a great America, make sure that people can get a gun quicker than they can vote. . . . And I stopped by to tell you that in this moment we better know who we are and where we are, and that in this moment of a possible third reconstruction we are called to speak truth in times like these . . . How can America ever be great when we are continuously denying, belittling, and diving a nation that stands as “land of the free and home of the brave”.
Currently, in our society, we are not free nor are we brave. To witness the beatings and killings of our sisters and brothers is heartbreaking. To hear our children describe the police as killers and the bad guys is saddening. Our nation is broken and destroyed, there is no better time then now to rise and rebuild.
-VIC
It is very interesting to see the changes in our society as the pot that was once melting, is now starting to boil. I can't even begin to understand what Ms. McLaurin has seen with her own two eyes. Which makes me begin to wonder what I will see with my eye over the course of my years here on earth. I'm only 25 and can not make predictions, and thats just based on the current presidential primary race. There is no better time to rise and rebuild but it seems that only one side of the nation is willing to rebuild.
DeleteThe article shows how much work still needs to be done but it also shows how much more work needs to be done. I will definitely agree that we need both sides to rebuild the damage that has been done. It is possible, we need a third reconstruction. I just wonder who will be in the forefront of it.
DeleteI loved this post because it reminds us that the Civil Rights Movement was not a singular, isolated moment in time, but was, and is, an ongoing struggle that reflects and responds to other events in time. It is so tempting to view the fight for equality as something that "pops" up every so often. As an educator, this view is much easier to teach children. When we start to draw parallels between past fights and current ones, past injustices and current ones, it gets messy. It can be discouraging to show children that, while we have made great strides, many still remain and some victories are in danger of being stripped away. It's important that we not only reveal these truths, but also give children the knowledge and power to feel as though they can do something about it.
ReplyDeleteAs I think about the Civil Rights Movement, one thing that comes to my mind is the level of consistency the activists had. They were consistent with their strategy in fighting for voting and equal rights. When I think about our society now,as Jenny mentioned our fight for equality happens every so often and only when something bad happens, do people decide to rally. We have to get back to the spirit of the Civil Rights activists and be consistent with our strategy because as Victoria mentioned there is no better time than now to rebuild.
ReplyDeleteAs we saw Mrs. McLaurin was blessed to see the fruits of the Civil Rights labor. Sometimes we may not always see the fruits of the labor, but we still have to continue the work so that the next generation will see it. Our work is never complete because even when we see progress, we still have to maintain equality.
Jasmine Brown
I definitely agree that we are in a third Reconstruction Era. While I do not know much about the Reconstruction Era because it was not taught to me in any school I have ever received a degree from, I have learned a bit about this time in our history from the elders, and I think that just a any of our untaught American history starring the lives of Black Americans, that it should be made just as popular as the information on the Civil War especially being that it immediately followed the Civil War. As the old saying goes, "if you don't know your history, you are doomed to repeat it". Being that we are currently experiencing a third reconstruction, that old saying may also reign true in this instance. However, perhaps if the Reconstruction is more widely known as a topic, we as a nation may not have to experience a fourth era of its kind. So hopefully this time we can move toward actual stability and consistency of a just system both racially and economically; A true justice for all.
ReplyDeleteI too have never learned about the Reconstruction Era in my schooling over the years. Thank God for CDF though. As we seem faced with a third Reconstruction Era, I am believing for a new ERA of change and hope for all people. The third time is the charm! Everything about today calls out for the a new aura of social, economical, religion, sexual orientation, educational, and cultural equality and justice for all. I believe that this is a fight that needs everyone to work together for a better tomorrow and a better America.
DeleteI found this view that we are in a 3rd Reconstruction Era to be somewhat comforting as it is a more positive outlook on our current society. I think I sometimes fall victim to negative perceptions about today's world and feel we are far to close to slipping back into some very dark times. Just this weekend the leading Republican candidate refused to disavow support from the former head of the KKK and other white supremacy groups. Hearing about the impact that Reverend Barber's movements is very encouraging. I will certainly be looking to pick up his book to read. This is also something I would like to learn more about, as the media cycle is so dominated in ways that society is going backwards, yet here is a tangible example of progress being made. I was also glad to hear that the coalition in North Carolina includes Appalachian workers. Going to school in the Appalachians has made me appreciate the area more, but also made me acutely aware of how susceptible it is to the sometimes coded but more often overt racism on display during this political cycle. It warmed my heart to hear that there are workers in the area who are committed to a better society for all, not a better society at the expense of others.
ReplyDeleteThere were two things I initially took away from this article, while other things are simmering and sauteing. First, I perceived Mrs. McLaurin's visit to the White House (beyond smile inducing), to be another reminder of how we aren't so far removed from the tattered history book pages describing sharecroppers and Reconstruction promises. Second, the title alone. I was taught a good chunk about Reconstruction. It was supposed to be a time of change, but was marked with violence and political disenfranchisement. The parallels of the first reconstruction (from Howard Zinn's 'A Peoples History') compared to the nightly news today are strikingly similar. But what does that mean?
ReplyDeleteThis article is a reminder that history repeats itself. I feel like we are constantly caught in this cycle as a society-whether it bring good or bad. It also made me wonder what will mark the end of the Third Reconstruction. Will it be legislation, a shift in leadership, or marked by protests? Will it be identified as the end to police brutality or a turn around in school children's literacy? I wonder in recognizing that we could very well be in the Third Reconstruction, what is our next step? Does history tell us that too?
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ReplyDeleteI think that the wheels of change do not move as quickly as the history books depict. The racial makeup of the American power structure is very much the same as it was 50, 100, 150 years ago. See this NY times recent article about the current power brokers in America, for an example, or google this year's Oscars. ( http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/02/26/us/race-of-american-power.html?_r=0)
ReplyDeleteAs the president's term ends, we are witnessing the nation again swing in a political pendulum toward the far right. Following the end of Reconstruction was the birth of the KKK, and many have argued that this was precipitated by the rapid social progress for formerly enslaved Blacks after the civil war.
In today's era of increased gun violence, police brutality and blacklivesmatter, one can only pray that this new post-reconstruction does not precipitate an era of less tolerance—that is, if it isn't here already.
I loved the video and was happy for Mrs. McLuarin. Nonetheless, I find it further proof that many have waited a really long time, their entire lives even, for the wheels of justice to turn. Are the halls of power more accessible in 2016? Does the NY Times/Oscars confirm that things are changing? Are we moving at all? What changes will we have to wait until 106 to see?
In a time of much confusion for disadvantaged Americans, I think this article is a step in the right directions. With the numerous protest and political wars going on, it is very easy to become overwhelmed to the point of exhaustion. I think that it is very accurate to call this the Third Reconstruction Era but then my question would be when did the original Reconstruction Era end? I feel that we have been fighting the same fight for hundreds of years. Now is the time to do something never done before.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of Mrs. McLuarin, I think about my grandfather who was also a share cropper and is still living today. Often I talk to my grandfather about the progress our people have made over the years and what that may mean for our future in America. However, my grandfather's response is always, "We're suppose to be a lot further than where we are today" and sometimes that bothers me. I'm bothered because I've seen our former Black leaders give their entire selves to a movement that seems to keep digressing every time we take strides forward. I've seen the effect the civil rights movement has had on Black families. So I wonder when will our children finally benefit off our efforts and will we find some new ways to keep this non violent fight going successfully.
It is because of pioneers like Mrs. McLaurin, we have hope for our future. This video gave me some insight on the fact that we are moving forward as a people. But in that moving forward we still have some set backs and problems that are stopping our advancement. Mrs. Edelman make great mention of that in her column. Education, health wages, LGBTQ, Women Rights, Healthcare. are all items that are holding us back from becoming a better America and we cant afford to take this into the Third Reconstruction Era.
ReplyDeleteAs I watched the video, my attention was immediately arrested by the joy and honor that Mrs. McLuarin had. She was so excited and yet amazed at the fact she lived to see the first black president of the United States. But while it gave me joy to watch it, it also upset me. Children in our generation will never think seeing a black president is something that is exciting or shocking to the world. They will never understand the hardships that Mrs. McLaurin endured growing up. The advances we have they people in her time, never thought were possible for people of our race. The children in our generation dont have that sense of care and it scares me to think of what our future holds.