“Why We Can’t Wait” the fairly short but powerful classic written by the Nobel Peace Prize Winner and Civil Rights icon Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., resonates in this time of chaos, uncertainly, and revisionist history.  While I understand why some might tap out due to the mental overload, resign to an attitude that we’e been here before so it is no big deal, or sink into confusion because of all the misinformation and lies, I align with Martin’s argument.  It is time to straighten our backs and get to work.  Silence, during this time of attack, is not an op-tion.  We can’t wait as they attempt to roll back time.

Dr. King recognized, “Undeniably, [Black people] had been an object of sympathy and wore the scars of deep grievance, but the nation has come to count on [them] as creature[s] who could quietly endure, silently suffer, and patiently wait.”  Notice the adverbs…quietly, si-lently, and patiently.  He went on to note that “Three hundred years of humiliation, abuse, and deprivation cannot be expected to find voice in a whisper” and he was right.  We should never be afraid or ashamed to tell the truth boldly, loudly, and with authority.

People are afraid to speak the truth for fear of losing funding, making others feel un-comfortable, or being labeled a trouble maker.  However, those who would defund or ostracize you or your organization for standing up on the side of right were not allies in the first place and failed to see your humanity all along.

We have to break our silence.  Once again, Dr. King said it best, “It is the people who moved their leaders, not the leaders who moved the people.”  It is up to us to tell our leaders what we want and need.

First, you have to pledge that you will not be invisible. We cannot disappear and hope that all of this miraculously goes away.  I challenge you to show up to at least ONE of your local city commission meetings to introduce yourself and your business.  Our local leaders need to know that they have constituents, business owners, and tax payers from our community that are active and in tune with that is happening.  If you need a script, email the Chamber and we can provide it to you.

Also, we need voices to be lifted up during the legislative session in Tallahassee.  Each year, there are bills presented that seek to specifically harm the Black community.  Tell your Florida  Senator or House Representative that you oppose the following bills (and these are just a few):

HB 591 – Eliminates provision ensuring minorities get an opportunity for construction contracts

HB 1189 – Removes provisions related to minority participation for lottery retailers, etc.

HB 6013 – Repeals provisions for minority representation on boards, commissions, councils, and committees

SB 1662 – Eliminating some provisions related to minority business enterprises

SB 1666 – Eliminates racial minority status from being considered as one of many factors for a scholarship

“Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.”  Martin said it and I believe it.  We will not be invisible.  We will not be silent.  We will not wait.