Community Voices Reflect on the 2022 Civil Rights Agenda: The Intersectionality of Civil Rights and Democracy
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Dr. Ruben Anthony, Jr., President/CEO of the Urban League of Greater Madison
Reflections on Civil Rights and Democracy: If We Work Together, We Can Save Ourselves
Today we are more divided as a nation than ever. This is very disturbing because we’re living in a time where the survival of mankind requires us to work together. Our future is in our own hands, we know this, but we do nothing about it. How about taking some steps to protect the future for our kids, grandkids, and our American democracy?
I was taught that we should leave things better for the next generation. It only makes sense that we do, because most of us benefited from the work of Civil Rights and the implementation of Affirmative Action. Our parents and grandparents took steps to “level the playing field” and all protected classes in America benefited. We continue to benefit from our heroes/sheroes putting their bodies and livelihoods on the line, so that we, the future generations of Brown, Black, Indigenous people of color, and women can have equal access to opportunities. Their work was really all about allowing all Americans to experience the “American Dream.”
Across the world, many once saw America as the standard barrier of democracy and a way of life much desired. If you watch the news, you see that efforts are going on to strip America of its democracy in the “light of day;” it’s enough to draw tears from the Statue of Liberty.
Triple Pandemics
Today we face a plethora of challenges: COVID 19, attacks on democracy, unequal justice and much more. I wake up each day, disappointed and amazed how COVID has disrupted our way of life. Some describe it as simply a “wake-up call,” and say we have to treat people, animals and the planet better.” Nevertheless, we are forced to examine ourselves and our ways of life; how we work, play, travel, morn, and worship. The virus has essentially changed the way we live. None of us truly know how much of this change will remain. In the midst of all of this, science shows that if we all cooperate and work together and get the vaccinations, we will reach herd immunity and be able to protect ourselves like we have done with measles and other transmittable viruses. The point is that if we work together, we can save ourselves.
Things are so polarized today, that we can’t even agree that everyone should be immunized. We have found a way to politicize this too.
Attacks on Democracy and Justice
Over one year ago the nation’s Capital was attacked. The purpose of the attack was to overturn the 2020 Presidential election. Who would have ever imagined that such an attempt would be made? It was one of the most disgraceful acts to ever occur in American history. What’s even more disturbing is that many in the Republican Party refused to call this activity out as bad for America. On the one-year anniversary, the US House of Representatives met and only two Republicans showed up: Liz Cheney and her father Dick Cheney, the former Vice President of the United States. You talk about a stain on American Democracy.
As Americans, we have to demand that those who stormed the Capitol are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In my mind, I have a very hard time understanding why their actions are not considered treason. Their actions were a betrayal of America and an attempt to destroy democracy.
I can only imagine how this would have been handled, if those protesters would have been Black or Brown. January 6, 2021, makes one rethink the position of African Americans in this country. Will there be separate systems of democracy and justice for those who are in the “ruling class” and another system for everybody else? The world is watching the “so-called” leaders of world democracy. It is hypocritical and shameful that all Americans are not condemning the January 6, 2021, attack. It is urgent that we push the US Department of Justice and Congress to implement voters protection laws to make sure that our democracy is not tampered with and that state officials don’t have the ability to overturn elections.
The more disturbing aspect, in regard to this attack on the Capitol is that the conspirators of this have not ceased their efforts. They are now creating policies to destroy democracy in over 19 states, and they are just getting started. Their efforts are to “blatantly” disenfranchise voters. In the past, these efforts were done in a clandestine fashion, like when Republicans in Wisconsin got into a small room and gerrymandered its state’s maps, which made it impossible for people to elect the candidates of their choice throughout the state. If American Democracy is to survive, neither Republicans nor Democrats should ever be allowed to do this.
Now the courts get to decide on Wisconsin’s redistricting maps. Thus far, if the Wisconsin courts will uphold a set of gerrymandered maps, this would allow Republicans to maintain an advantage. Don’t “sleep” on the fact that there are major concerns, among some, that Brown and Black people are becoming the majority in communities across America. Changing demographics could change election outcome across the country.
As a 3rd Generation Japanese Asian American Woman: I Ask, Who, or What Am I to You?
My experience and observations reveal several possible answers to this question. For some, the answer would be that they see my skin as very light, so I would not qualify as a minority, nor as a person of color, and viewed as privileged. Some may assume I am successful academically, or economically. Others may see me as a foreigner, or as someone compliant/passive, sneaky, a threat, weak, a sexual object, or, not trusting, or socially awkward and yes, seen as good at math, at computers, good at martial arts, or someone easily dismissed and ignored. And for some, depending on their own personal exposure to Asian Americans, view my features as odd and strange.
Although always learning about myself, about others and the world, I consider myself well-grounded, confident in my self- concept and cultural identity. However, it never fails to amaze and upset me how narrowly defined the criteria are that some folks hold, in determining what is normal, acceptable, safe, human, belonging, or not belonging. Reminds me of a recent news story of a Korean news anchor in Missouri, that was criticized by a viewer for being “too Asian” when the news anchor said her Korean family had dumplings for the holidays. Fortunately, the television station defended the news anchor and world-wide, she received significant positive support.
On a deeper level, an Asian American can also be a scapegoat and easy target for people who themselves do not feel they belong or blame Asian Americans for their failures and pain. I am concerned the attacks on Asian Americans will only get worse, with U.S. economic & political relations with China so strained and the blame that Asians caused the pandemic and the mental health status that stress has caused. Unity, understanding, and initiative, to connect with compassion among individuals and groups is essential, one person at a time, if needed.
I remain positive, building a community of friends that truly know and accept me for who I am. And I focus on being excited, recently, seeing a book for children, Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, describing how different but beautiful an Asian child’s eyes are. And that this book is available to order, at Target. Or, a book, Japanese Children’s Favorite Stories, a collection of children’s folktales that can benefit children, all over the world. I am affirmed that a national Asian American Pacific Islanders Advisory Commission, was formed in December 2021, to combat anti-Asian hate and to increase equity and opportunity, for Asian Americans.
Sharyl Kato, Executive Director and Child & Family Therapist at The Rainbow Project
Raising awareness from hateful Anti-Asian American tragedies can have some positive outcomes, in seeing an increase in Asian Americans (without accents) represented on television ads, programs, newspaper media, arts and movies. But, progress, although welcome and affirming, is conspicuously slow. I recently heard a popular television talk show celebrity stating that now they had hosts representing “our full society” when there was not representation from the Indigenous Native, Middle Eastern or Asian communities. The first Asians immigrants in the United States came from the Philippine Islands, arriving in Louisiana, 435 years ago, and yet today Asians are not accepted by so many. This is true for other populations of color in the United States.
I appreciate this opportunity to reflect on what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. represents to me, as a person of color and the impact his work has on other individuals, to families, to this community, to this country and to this world. He was the epitome of inclusive and was able to walk in many shoes. I wished others could walk in an Asian American’s shoes, with Asian American eyes, interact with more than one Asian American, even for one week. Each individual, each group has their differences in how they are mis- perceived and mis- treated, but I believe we have more in common than differences.
I appreciate the Capital City Hues for their consistency and longevity for giving voice to ALL communities of color, including the Asian American community, and embracing the philosophy and spirit of Dr. King.
Frances Huntley-Cooper, Former Mayor of Fitchburg
Democracy and Civil Engagement Is a Family Thing
As a life member of the NAACP and life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., I would like to share some of my experiences that have guided me to remain active in organizations that support and believe in justice for all. These organizations have very active agendas on just about every issue that affects the quality of life for African Americans. We experience and/or hear from our own networks the injustices that impact our daily lives in health care, education, social justice, employment, business, civil rights, voting rights, women rights and the list goes on.
As I reflect back on my life through the years, I realize the foundation for community involvement started with role models I had growing up. My mother, a city council woman, NAACP member, and business owner inspired me with her hard work ethics with the family day care center and volunteering in the community. When she passed away last January, I realized that I had followed in her footsteps without a plan. It was my mom’s determination to expose us to many aspects of life. We had strong support and encouragement from school principals, teachers and church pastors and congregation. Yes, it was a small town that raised us all and we showed respect to our elders.
Thinking about my childhood now reminded me that we didn’t grow up with the resources, opportunities, experiences, mentors that my children received here in Wisconsin. Lessons that we all learned were that we had to work hard and get a good education and perhaps more doors would open. I grew up and experienced the life of living in the segregated South and witnessed it slowly transitioning into an integrated environment in later years.
I have served in both appointed and elected positions throughout my career and continue to volunteer in our community and throughout the country. I was that little girl who was involved in attending rallies, listening to local and national civil rights leaders, attending NAACP events with my mom. So the current state of democracy is not acceptable.
Yes, across the country there are efforts in play to weaken and dismantle our right to vote. And “when we all vote” — we have put voters’ health at risk as we saw long voter lines in Wisconsin and across the country. Votes cast and re-counted, voters asking if their vote counted because of election tampering or voter suppression. These times makes one ask — what are our children being taught in their civic classes and how do teachers and parents explain the reality of democracy seen outside of the classroom or history books?
The message I would like to share is that we should never forget our history. Women earned the right to vote with the passage of the19th Amendment in 1919. A huge victory for women and it would be years later before Black women earned the right to vote with the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Born in 1900, my grandmother finally saw history being made that would allow her to vote for the very first time in her life. She continued to exercise her right to vote. Years later, at the age of 100 in her small southern hometown, the local newspaper’s front page captured a photo of my grandmother walking into city hall to vote.
I also tried to instill the value and importance of voting within my children. A family tradition we started was taking our children with us to vote and actually allowing them to pull the lever for the candidates that we were supporting. My daughter would go with me and my son would go with his dad to the polls. If by chance, we didn’t vote for the same candidate, leave it to your children to tell you as they got older who they voted for representing the other parent. This really may not seem that important, but they were learning the value of voting, asking candidates about issues and listening to both sides as they got older. My daughter returned to school after voting for her mother for Mayor of Fitchburg. Later a teacher mentioned to me that my daughter said she voted for me as the teacher was thinking but she is just a kid…not old enough to vote at all.
Just having that tradition to vote in elections with your child can definitely become a lifetime practice. I am so proud of registered voters who can talk to their networks to ensure they are involved in the political process ... registering new voters, assisting with transportation to the polls, sharing information about candidates, encouraging them to participate in attending candidate forums, and meeting with and talking to the candidates.
With your vote alone, look at the impact we recently had on electing the First Dane County African American Judge Nia Trammell, state representatives, state senator, city council members and the list goes on. And we will have a chance to elect the First Dane County African American Sheriff Kalvin Barrett,
So be an informed voter because your vote does matters! Your vote counts!
