Dr. Jamal Bryant is pastor of Empowerment Temple in Baltimore . (Courtesy Photo)
In the critically acclaimed book, Why We Can’t Wait, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said it best, “Three hundred years of humiliation, abuse and deprivation cannot be expected to find voice in a whisper.”
In the awe-inspiring treatise, ranked #78 on Modern Library’s 100 Best Nonfiction works, Dr. King writes, “Just as lightning makes no sound until it strikes, the Negro Revolution generated quietly. But when it struck, the revealing flash of its power and the impact of its sincerity and fervor displayed a force of frightening intensity.” Through these words we are reminded of the effectiveness that lies within each of us to make a significant difference.
Yet, as many join in today’s civil rights movement, our collective voices have only belted out a mere whisper. Although voices are added daily – from the keyboards of computers, sound waves of the air, social media and other platforms – it’s time to make an impactful statement that signifies where our real power lies.
The battering cry where King explains why we can’t wait comes in a propelling conclusion. He adamantly articulates that as inherent citizens of the United States, we cannot move “toward” freedom. Instead, we must “assert” freedom. He further implies that no man, woman or child can exist being half a slave and thus half free. To stabilize the devastating impact of the disadvantaged, Dr. King argues for a Bill of Rights and reparations for unpaid wages. The focus on justice was not intended for the South only; it was initiated to purposefully echo the need for change around the world! So I say likewise in this day, we can’t wait!
Over the past several years, many have marched, protested, rallied, petitioned and prayed that justice would prevail for the named and unnamed brothers and sisters who have died unjustifiably. Some of their names are Michael Brown, Renisha McBride, Tamir Rice, John Crawford, Eric Garner and the not soon forgotten, Trayvon Martin.
Despite family heartbreak and community outcry, another unarmed Black man, 50-year-old Walter Scott, was allegedly shot and killed by a South Carolina police officer. The common thread in these stories is all too familiar. You see, it doesn’t matter if Scott was armed or unarmed, in compliance or resisting arrest, the fact of the matter is that the color of his skin subjected him to mistreatment, and ultimately, an untimely death!
The handwriting is on the wall; we can no longer wait! It’s high time Black Americans lead the way on implementing plans that will change how our children are educated, result in affordable health insurance, and eradicate the proliferation of drugs in our communities. There is simply no more time to talk about it. In this very moment in time, we must also take a stand to ensure equal justice against those who are sworn to protect and serve yet, mercilessly kill unarmed African Americans!
Those who we might ordinarily call upon for help are currently in recess. For example, the Black Legislative Caucus doesn’t meet until August, and the national NAACP Board of Directors will not reconvene until February 2016. Although the Urban League has issued a report about disparity on jobs and education among Blacks, we do not have the luxury of time or convenience to wait until the next report. We can’t wait!
If Black lives really do matter – and indeed they do – we must do something now! For too long we have been waiting and suffering; it’s time for change. French poet and philosopher Victor Hugo once said, “Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.”
This is our time!
Social economists and inventors claim that it takes a decade to build a new platform that will shift ideas. It’s been well over 250 years of maturation! When are African Americans going to realize that no one is going to fight for us, except us? When will the status of Blacks in America shift? When will Black lives matter to the masses?
Nearly every school in the Black community is underfunded! The jobless rate among African Americans continues to hover at a staggering 13 percent! The message is very clear, and I say this respectfully: we can’t wait on The White House, a caucus or council members to help us. Time has run out for Blacks in America to rely on others to run our schools and communities, and determine which jobs we get and at what salary. We can’t wait!
Instead of building more corporate jail facilities around the country, let’s focus instead on ending crime. As health concerns such as heart disease, HIV/AIDS, and diabetes continue to increase among minorities, let’s work toward offering more prevalent health-care options. America has no emergency implementation, no accelerated funding, and no decisive action for Blacks in America. Therefore, we must demand one from ourselves!
The hour has come for Black people to believe what they’ve been marching for and praying about for years: “we shall overcome” and “Black lives matter!”
If you’re like me, and you no longer have the patience to wait, let’s collectively start moving toward change. I am rallying for the galvanization of Black America to flex its $1.1 trillion spending power. We have the power to create better communities, schools and housing by re-circulating our dollars in our own communities more frequently, and we don’t need anyone’s permission!
I absolutely cannot wait; I’m starting now. Join me!
Dr. Jamal Bryant is pastor of Empowerment Temple in Baltimore with more than 10,000 members.