Resurrection City and the Poor People's Campaign

January 15, 2018 10:25 AM

New photos, and some stories, of the 1968 Resurrection City demonstration. "Deeply Grieving MLK’s Death, Activists Shaped a Campaign of Hurt and Hope At Resurrection City, an epic 1968 demonstration on the National Mall in Washington D.C., protesters defined the next 50 years of activism"
posted by OmieWise (2 comments total)

As impressive as the 1968 protest was, scholars such as Bryant, and more than a few activists, believe the battle against poverty and its effects must continue.

And I was having such a good time reading this fucking article, until my head was sent spinning that we even have to fucking argue this point. That it's not just fucking accepted as "this is the TRUTH of how fucked our fucking country is." It's always "Well SOME PEOPLE think we need changes."

Can't even bring myself to fucking read anymore after that, even though everyone involved I support. I just can't fucking cut through the bullshit attempts to seem "unbiased" when you're fucking just ignoring reality on the ground for millions of fucking people.

Seriously, Smithsonian, what the fuck? Can't a media outlet just CUT THE FUCKING BULLSHIT FOR FUCKING ONCE? How many decades of depressed wages, increased productivity, and skyrocketing working homelessness do you need documented before you can TAKE IT FUCKING SERIOUSLY AS AN ISSUE?
posted by deadaluspark at 10:51 AM on January 15, 2018 [6 favorites]

Well, it's worth getting to the end:

Bunch says the difference today is that instead of there being a safety net; there is the notion that simply creating economic opportunity is enough.

“Ultimately, this exhibition posits that average citizens can help make America better,” Bunch says. “The best way to honor the ultimate sacrifice of Dr. King is to cross those boundaries that divide, boundaries of race, gender, ethnicity, to demand a fair and free America.”

A group of faith leaders, including the Rev. Dr. William Barber II and Rev. Liz Theoharis, have launched an updated version of the battle, called “Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival.” It has been organizing for months, and a series of mobilizations and some acts of civil disobedience are planned for this spring."

But for something that pulls fewer punches, I really appreciated this program that WNYC held yesterday at the Apollo Theatre with Dr. Clarence Jones, Linda Sarsour, Patrisse Cullors and Rosa Clemente.
posted by Miko at 12:26 PM on January 15, 2018 [3 favorites]