Democracy on Trial – There is A Way Out and Up
By Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, Jr.
I was a 19-year-old sophomore at Morehouse College when the May 17, 1954 unanimous decision was given by the U. S. Supreme Court. A decision that declared “Separate but equal” unconstitutional. It reversed the 1896 Jim Crow law as illegal and unconstitutional. It was a joyous day on Morehouse College campus and many other places. Students, faculty, staff and President Benjamin E. Mays all rejoiced. We believed a new era of democracy had been born.
Dr. Mays declared, “Segregation’s back has been broken.”
However, there was born a new era of defiance. The Southern Confederacy reasserted itself. A 70-year war against school desegregation was born. A war against public education was born. That decision changed the legal definition of public education in America. But a new era of anti-democracy was born. The NAACP, a handful of parents and brave African American children became the guardians of democracy in America. After 70 years, the Republican Party has become the party of racism. The Supreme Court’s majority has deserted us again, and racism continues as a popular and profitable enterprise. It has an evil force and vigor. This is not new, but it could be a threat to our nation similar to 1861. One could easily declare that January 6, 2021 was and remains as dangerous as April, 1861, if not more so. We are living in a moment when Putin of Russia has (in my opinion) more influence over the GOP and the leading GOP Presidential candidate than the U. S. Constitution, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman.
In my opinion, a federal judge in Florida acts more like Donald Trump’s defense attorney than an impartial federal judge committed to law and democracy. How long will this last? We do not know. But I believe another term of Trump in the White House could mean the end of American Democracy. And the majority of the Supreme Court justices (6 out of 9) would love to have such an era, in my opinion.
Seventy years ago, the GOP nor the Democratic Party bowed down to Russia. Today, I repeat, we have a leading presidential (GOP) candidate who appears to be far more loyal to Putin (in my opinion) than to the U. S. Constitution. This will not stand. But we have less than six months to save our democracy.
In 1861, it took four years of bloody Civil War, three amendments to the U. S. Constitution and two Civil Rights bills (1866 and 1875) to save and enhance our democracy. All the above was accomplished in spite of the U. S. Supreme Court.
In 1978, Maya Angelou wrote: “And Still I Rise.” This must forever remain our overcoming courage and responsibility. In spite of a right-wing majority Supreme Court, “Still I Rise.” In spite of a Black, male member of the U. S. Supreme Court who is opposed to the great unanimous decision of 1954, “Still I Rise.” In word, thought, deed, commitment and purpose, still we rise.
In the first century of the Common Era, the Apostle Paul wrote: “So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time if we do not give up.” In 1967, Dr. King declared: “We still have a choice today: Non-violent coexistence or violent co-annihilation.” The Hebrew prophet Amos declared: “But let justice roll on like a river and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” Democracy is anchored in freedom and justice. Freedom and justice are anchored in truth and love. Truth and love are anchored in Jesus, our liberator.
Today, democracy is on the lynching tree, but to borrow from Dr. Gardner C. Taylor: “There is a way through, a way out and a way up.” We must act creatively. Vote wisely and courageously. We must save our democracy for present and future generations. Jesus has taught us: “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”
Last updated on July 12, 2024
