The Impact of the Civil Rights Act: A Reflection on Community and Accountability
This is part nine of our ongoing series "That Was A Long Time Ago'. We are examining the impact of the legal system has shaped the present
The Civil Rights Act (CRA) is undoubtedly one of the most significant pieces of legislation in American history. It alleged to be a promise of equality and integration, aimed at dismantling the systemic barriers that had long segregated African Americans from the mainstream of American life. However, it's crucial to reflect on a different reality—one that challenges us to see beyond the Act's veneer of inclusion towards understanding its deeper impact on the sense of community within Black America.
In short, the CRA was a Trojan Horse. One that never should have been passed.
The Erosion of Community: A Critical Examination
The primary focus of the Civil Rights Act was not Black empowerment, but Black inclusion into a society undergoing social reengineering. This distinction is critical as it underscores a shift that has arguably led to the erosion, rather than the empowerment, of a once-thriving Black community. The question arises: what other group in America has faced such a deliberate and strategic dismantling of its community through language, legal strategies, and policies? Today, while we have Black neighborhoods, the essence of a cohesive community—the very heart that beats with shared values and beliefs—seems elusive.
At one time we had Black schools, banks, hospitals, and grocery stores. That meant that we could educate ourselves, do business amongst ourselves, heal ourselves, and feed ourselves. This absence of community is significant. It signals the loss of community standards, which are vital for establishing social norms and expectations. Community is not just because we are in close proximity. It has to do with again, shared, values and beliefs. It involves being connected.
Redefining Community in a Reengineered Society
The fictional Wakanda resonated with so many us. The reason being is that we saw the power of a connected people and a united community. The The reason being is that we saw the power of a connected people and a united community. The reason why Killmonger was so threatening was because although from the peoole he was not of the people of Wakanda.
He felt no sense of connection. His chief criticism of them was that there was a larger picture community that they were missing out on. But that is an entirely different blog post. Understanding the gravity of this loss necessitates looking back to what once was. At the center of the Black community were powerful unifying institutions: the church and the barbershop.
The church was the nucleus for spiritual connection and collective action, while the barbershop was a hub for social interaction, grooming, and community news. Despite their physical presence today, the collective power they once wielded has diminished without the cohesive backing of a strong, unified community.