23 April 2010

Thoughts on the recent passing of a civil rights icon

I and many others have been mourning the death on April 20 of civil rights icon Dorothy Height.

During her impressive life of activism, Height fought hard for civil rights for women and gays as well as for persons of color. "Civil rights are civil rights. There are no persons who are not entitled to their civil rights," she said.

I am glad that Height lived to see the American people elect our first African-American president. She even sat on the stage at Obama's inauguration as an honored guest.

It's just too bad that she also had to see the start of the tea party reaction that ensued.

One large step forward, and one small step back. I guess that's how any civil rights movement goes. Slowly but surely, if you're lucky. As long as the momentum doesn't die.

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