61 Years Later : The Struggle for Civil Rights is Ours
Sixty-one years ago today, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law. This landmark legislation was the culmination of a long and arduous struggle, marked by immense sacrifice and even the loss of lives, including those of Medgar Evers, Harry T. Moore, and three civil rights workers in Mississippi.
The path to the Civil Rights Act was paved with years of protests, beatings, arrests, and heartbreak. Brave individuals put their bodies on the line, confronting police dogs and fire hoses, with some paying the ultimate price. President Kennedy championed this legislation before his assassination, and President Johnson honorably carried it forward as a tribute to his memory.
The Act dismantled legal segregation and opened doors that had been closed for generations. It led to tangible economic progress for Black families, with median income rising from 54% of white income in 1960 to 62% by 1975. For the first time, many could access jobs, restaurants, and hotels that were previously off-limits.
The struggle did not conclude in 1964. Today, we continue to strive for true equality, as disparities in wealth, education, and opportunity persist. And we face new headwinds: Perversely, Trump’s Justice Department has weaponized Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to argue that all efforts toward equity are “affirmative discrimination.”
The heroes who sacrificed everything for the Civil Rights Act understood that this fight would not end with a single law. They recognized that each generation would need to carry the torch and push for continued progress.
So, as we honor those who came before us—the protesters, organizers, and leaders who gave their lives—we must also acknowledge that this struggle is now ours. The fight for civil rights is not merely history; it is a present reality, unfolding right here, right now, in 2025.
Today is not just a day for reflection, but a reminder that the work continues, and it is our collective responsibility to carry it forward.
That’s all I’m saying…..
LAC
