SCLC Works to Overcome Oppression in Order to be Oppressive
Ask just about anyone on the street if they support civil rights and they will likely say yes, but ask specific questions and you’ll hear a wide variety of responses.
Rev. Eric P. Lee, the President of the Los Angeles chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Council (“SCLC”) has come under fire by members of the purported civil rights organization. The scrutiny isn’t because Rev. Lee is against civil equality, which would be expected from a so-called civil rights organization, but instead, because he supports civil equality.
The SCLC was formed in the late 50’s in response to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The group, popularized by Martin Luther King, Jr., has been a leadership organization for civil rights for decades. Their work has inspired my own admiration, until now. Unfortunately, SCLC national leaders and many members don’t seem to believe in civil equality for all people. In fact, many members of the SCLC have called for the resignation of Rev. Lee because of his vision of a fully equal America. National leaders of the SCLC went as far as to summon Lee to Atlanta and advised him that, if he failed to show, he would be suspended. Lee did not show because he couldn’t afford a last minute trip, but he did advise the group that he could appear via telephone. The group did not respond to that offer, but did send a warning to Lee when he didn’t show advising him to reschedule the meeting and appear in person or face removal from the SCLC.
Because of the Southern Christian Leadership Council’s mostly silent and dismissive stance on gay rights, it is clear that they are no longer a civil rights organization. I civil rights organization would align itself with ALL human rights issues in order to secure dignity, fair treatment and equality under the law for everyone. Instead, they are becoming the very people they once stood against. They have become the oppressors.
Rev. Lee has stated publicly:
Any time you deny one group of people the rights and privileges that other groups enjoy, it is fundamentally and unequivocally a denial of their civil rights.
Obviously, he gets it. Perhaps instead of a suspension, members of the SCLC should promote Rev. Lee to a national position – since he is truly a civil rights leader.
Related Links:
Los Angeles Times | Civil rights group threatens to fire local leader for gay marriage endorsement.
CQ Politics | Gay Marriage: What Would King Do?.
rainbowzine.com | SCLC and Marriage Equality.
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