Early in the decade it was said that those of us who were active during the ‘60’s and still continue the same activities today, are “left-overs,” “hangers-on,” out of touch with present reality, to be pitied more than scorned, because our efforts were futile.
All of that critique was negative stuff to absorb, and then along came Clarence Pendleton to call us “new racists!” Read on…
Recently, I saw an editorial in the Boston Globe (September 21, 1986), in which there was comment on a suggestion which Andrew Young evidently made about choosing a new United States Ambassador to South Africa. The editorial says, “A converted racist would be the ideal person to deal with the bigots in Pretoria.” Read on…
“Oh! Incidentally …” You’ve heard that or said something like it many times. You may have been talking with someone and the conversation suddenly called to your mind another concern about which you had forgotten. You mention it, while you are thinking of it … “Oh, incidentally … that reminds me … I just remembered …” Read on…
[Editor's note: In 1970, the YWCA of the USA adopted as its "One Imperative" the elimination of racism "wherever it exists" and "by any means necessary." Community Change was present when the Imperative was adopted and later trained national staff and board members. Each local YWCA was charged with implementing the Imperative in its work. To some individuals, however, the phrase "by any means necessary" seemed to go too far. Did the YWCA leadership really mean that members should participate in any activity opposed to racism-including violence? The following essay is a response to those concerns.] Read on…