How far have we come in 60 years?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 09:53:56 -0500

Today is the anniversary of Rosa Parks refusing to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama. Rosa Parks committed an act of passive resistance, an act of courage, fortitude, grace, and humility. She quietly brought about a nonviolent revolution. She was 1000 times more effective at bringing about change than what we have going on today. We should all salute Rosa Parks.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/12/01/5-things-you-need-know-tuesday/76554572/

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Response by LTC Stephen F. made Dec 1 at 2015 9:56 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 09:56:15 -0500

Well 60 years ago I was in my mothers womb which was a much safer place to be than that it is today CPT Private RallyPoint Member
Sixty years ago black people were referred to as negroes in person and on government forms. We have gone from that term through african american to black in 60 years.
We have a Kenyan American President who was elected to two terms. We still have problems with "race" in this nation; but, I submit they are not as widespread as they were. There are still pockets of racial hatred in this nation.
I hope that one day people will be living the dream that Marin Luther King had of children playing together across this land with no regard to what color or national heritage they are descended from. Where each person is recognized as having innate worth because they have been created in teh image of God. COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas CMSgt Mark Schubert SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" @TSgt John Temblador, PI, CIPA SSgt Private RallyPoint Member SGT Private RallyPoint Member SGT Robert Hawks SGT Forrest Stewart SrA Christopher Wright

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Dec 1 at 2015 9:57 AM

SSG Audwin Scott — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 09:57:52 -0500

When looking at all that's going on in the world today, we are still making baby steps. I say that because all that Dr. King and Rosa Parks stood for is not being influenced in today's society. Yes we can now sit anywhere on the bus, but racism is still raising it's ugly head In 2015!

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Dec 1 at 2015 10:14 AM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 10:14:22 -0500

Rosa Parks is a great example to every one of us - she followed through with her beliefs and principles and her courage is a great example today.

Unfortunately, today what we are facing too many that refuse to work, refuse to get away from their TV's, refuse to do that uncomfortable thing called work, getting callouses on their hands or minds from applying them and this crosses every culture, every race, creed, religion, gender or whatever category you should so choose to apply.

We need more like Rosa parks, willing to take a stand on principle, will do be the backbone and stand for something instead of relying on everyone else around them to do the heavy lifting...I am fearful of the day we see this apathy creep into my beloved Army and our Armed Forces - we have to remember these events as they are example of what made our country great and ever improving.

Response by 1SG Nick Baker made Dec 1 at 2015 12:34 PM

1SG Nick Baker — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 12:34:04 -0500

Rosa Parks was an important part. As veterans we can look back on our history and see that the civil rights movement started in the military. There are many others that added to the civil rights movement after WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam. Sadly we are still working on achieving that goal.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2015 10:18 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 22:18:12 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member, 60 years ago I was in the fifth grade. That was in 1955. I lived in Pasadena, Texas where there was a local KKK association. There were no blacks living in Pasadena. Most of them lived in Houston and were afraid to come to Pasadena. I was not raised to be prejudiced about anyone and I didn't understand why there was so much hate and violence. When I got older and the racial tension in Alabama and Mississippi was on tv, I felt terrible about what was happening to the blacks. I soon became interested in Martin Luther King Jr. and his philosophy. He along with Rosa Parks did more in their time, helping the blacks and the whites understanding and living in the same town, than anyone else who tried. When I was in in basic in 1965 at Fort Polk,La., there was a racial riot in my company, E-1-5. The blacks came into the barracks late at night, with entrenching tools and began hitting whoever was in a bunk. One of the DI's arm was cut off by an entrenching tool. I was lucky in that I had a lot of black friends and they told me and some others to not be in the barracks at 2100. We all went to the PX and got drunk on 3.2 beer. I never had any problems with any black soldier. The riot was due to their barracks being all black men and the squad leaders were white. Even after I got back from Vietnam, I had to go to Detroit, Michigan for racial riots. The past sixty years were hard up until their rights were being enforced. I hunted and fished with black friends from work. One of my black friends newborn son had cycle cell and may not live. I started a blood drive for him. It saved his kid. I'm not wanting any glory in that. It's just something one human being does for another. Sorry for jabbering away, but the blacks have been treated unfairly, and still are in some cities, and that's sad.

Response by SFC Eric Williams made Dec 2 at 2015 1:30 AM

SFC Eric Williams — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 01:30:32 -0500

Unfortunately, the jury is still out on a question that should have never have to be asked. How do we quantify or identifying the progress that has been made with Race relations in the
"United States of America".
Congressional leaders should be required to document A thesis on this and other topics before they seek any vote to become national Leaders. What are your thoughts?

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Dec 2 at 2015 9:33 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 09:33:08 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I can't quite go back exactly 60 years and remember because I'm only 58, but I remember a lot as a very small boy and young man. I believe we have come a far way, but we still have individuals out there that for some reason want to take us back (don't understand that). I can tell you 1975 as a young private in the all volunteer Army to a Colonel retiring in 2012 we gone a long way to treat all of our brothers and sisters with respect and dignity no matter where they are from, their race, color, sex, or origin. Can we do better in the next 60 years. Absolutely! Just my opinion based on my personal experiences!

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Dec 2 at 2015 11:01 AM

MAJ Alvin B. — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 11:01:09 -0500

Much further then many wish to admit, not as far as we should have.
We will only have achieved success when it is routine to note someone has been promoted, elected, awarded or recognized and there is no mention of their race, color, gender, religious affiliation, national origin or sexual orientation in the press release. Until that day arrives, the journey continues.