(4/11/98 Baltimore AFRO-American Newspaper)
by Congressman Elijah E. Cummings
More than 30 years after the Civil Rights march to the Lincoln Memorial in this nation’s capitol, the dream that Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of has yet to be realized. Racial relationships in this country have not substantially improved. In fact, it seems that we are moving further and further away from many of the goals that Dr. King set for us.
One of the most troubling aspects of our failure to achieve Dr. King’s goals is the continued neglect and blight of neighborhoods where minorities live. African American families continue to face discrimination in the areas of housing, banking, and employment. When will this nation face the fact that it is unfairly depriving so many of its citizens the opportunities that were meant to be enjoyed by all? Our nation’s ballads are full of hopes for truths and fond remembrances of the blazes in the night.
However, this April, I am remembering other blazes. The blazes I am speaking of occurred here in the heart of Baltimore City after Dr. King was assassinated on a hotel balcony in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968. Almost immediately, African Americans joined in mourning the slain civil rights leader’s death.
President Lyndon B. Johnson called the slaying of Dr. King a brutal wound on the nation’s conscience that should force all men to ask what more they could do to achieve brotherhood and equality. Meanwhile, Congress was delaying action on civil rights reforms that were before the House and Senate. Through the sadness emanating from the death of a great leader, there was a flicker of anger that ignited a people’s frustration with this country’s government. Many responded with violence to the government’s denial of justice, equality, and prosperity.
During the tumultuous 48 hours following Dr. King’s death, there were more than 420 fires set, 550 cases of looting, six people killed, and over 300 individuals injured. By the time the storm subsided, at least 1,350 African Americans had been arrested. From my family’s home in Edmondson Village, I saw the rage of the city in the billowing puffs of black smoke rising to the sky, and some of my neighbors breaking store windows to take whatever they could carry.
We as a people had endured so many years of oppression and degradation. There was an overwhelming sense of loss felt by the black race when the man whose life was devoted to opposing anger with kindness and nonviolence was so violently murdered. The screams could no longer be silenced. Devastating scenes of violence occurred across the nation. The rioting anger exploded in almost 40 cities across America.
Druid Hill Park, just blocks away from one of my Congressional offices, was a post for U.S. Marines sent in by President Johnson at Governor Agnew’s request. The Fifth Regiment Armory was the command post for troops assigned to manage the riots. Downtown was cordoned off due to reports of sniper fire.
On April 4, 1968, President Johnson said, we can achieve nothing by "divisiveness among the American people ... It is only by joining together and only by working together that we can continue to move toward equality and fulfillment for all of our people." Thirty years later, the American people are still looking for an end to the divisiveness.
Instead of feeding the prejudices felt by many Americans, we all need to work toward reconciliation. Reconciliation can only be achieved by acknowledging our prejudices and raising our level of tolerance. I firmly believe that to ensure jobs, justice, and prosperity, we must uphold current affirmative action plans and ensure that economic development efforts are sufficiently supported by the government and private entities. We must concentrate on the things we have in common as opposed to our differences.
We need to ensure that family heads of household are employed and earning a livable wage. We must ensure that banks and loan agents are guaranteeing the capital investments necessary to refurbish our communities. We need to ensure that all citizens have fair access to necessary health insurance, good educational opportunities, meaningful credit privileges, and home ownership opportunities.
With those goals in mind, I will continue to work with Congress and President Clinton to ensure that all Americans be encouraged to take action in an effort to heal the wounds of a nation torn apart by a history of racism.
When we remember 1968, let’s not merely focus on the anger that ignited the riots. Let’s also remain aware of the inequities of life in America for the poor and people of color. Our work is not yet done. If we as a nation have the will, then we can pave the way.
-The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings represents the 7th Congressional District of Maryland in the United States House of Representatives.