Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr.
David Mixner released part two of his four part series about the state of the LGBT civil rights movement and how we should move forward. You absolutely must read “Observations from Turkey Hollow on the LGBT Civil Rights Movement: Part Two Learning from History.“ In it Mixner recounted the African American civil rights movement and reminded us Martin Luther King’s strategies were not always popular among the established elite. He was discouraged from committing acts of civil disobedience because they feared they would set the movement back legislatively and in the courts. Sound familiar? It should. These are the same arguments against the March on Washington in October. And yet in retrospect we know MLK’s work was paramount to the success of the civil rights movement.
Mixner poignantly wrote:
No one has ownership of ‘truth’ or ‘righteousness’ and we must not only accept differences in approaches and strategy, but coordinate them and embrace each other in the fight for our freedom.
That freedom can not come without risk taking, being bold and daring to be courageous.
I got chills when I read that. Partly because I have witnessed first hand others impose their my way or the highway approach on others, but more importantly it was a reflection of some of my own thinking in the past. Who among us has not said to ourselves or others, “This is the right way. You are wrong. Stop it.” I certainly have not met an engaged LGBT civil rights activist who has not. We should embrace all factions of our movement. Everyone from the raw-raw in your face street activists, to the corporate board elitists have a significant and equally important roll to play.
It is clear that Mixner is taking a direct aim at those who say “now is not the time” for the march on Washington. There is a concentrated effort by some to belittle the idea. Good people, great friends believe a march is a waste of time, money, and energy. But honestly how do we know if we do not try? The March in October if coordinated properly and supported by the community as a whole could become a monumental marker in history.
Mixner is absolutely right, we need to take risks and be courageous or more will have to die never knowing the bliss that is liberty.
