A Little More Malcolm?

Today, we observe Martin Luther King Day. For many, it's a three-day weekend, for others, a day of service or a day of reflection.

Today was supposed to be the day the United States Senate voted on bills to strengthen one of the issues Dr. King was passionate about, voting rights. Alas, two Democratic Senators and the whole of the Republican Party are against making the procedural changes that would allow the bills to pass. American seems to be on a path towards rule by a rural, white, minority.

This might mean that the non-violence of King may need to give way to the militancy and self-sufficiency of Malcolm X and the Black Panthers. This would mean that white allies would need to shift tactics.

They would need to win trust, if they do not have it already. They might need to work more in support roles, leaving those in the affected communities to be the boots on the ground; jail support would be one example. They could donate resources to community aid groups, or contribute skills at a community center.

The hardest shift to make would be they may need to ask, "How can I help," instead of saying "I'm here to help". They would then have to be willing to hear that their help is not needed.