President Obama's statement regarding 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act

[bigtree]

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Few achievements have defined our national identity as distinctly or as powerfully as the passage of the Civil Rights Act. It transformed our understanding of justice, equality, and democracy and advanced our long journey toward a more perfect Union. It helped bring an end to the Jim Crow era, banning discrimination in public places; prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin; and providing a long-awaited enforcement mechanism for the integration of schools. A half-century later, we celebrate this landmark achievement and renew our commitment to building a freer, fairer, greater society.

Through the lens of history, the progress of the past five decades may seem inevitable. We may wish to remember our triumphs while erasing the pain and doubt that came before. Yet to do so would be a disservice to the giants who led us to the mountaintop, to unsung heroes who left footprints on our National Mall, to every American who bled and died on the battlefield of justice. In the face of bigotry, fear, and unyielding opposition from entrenched interests, their courage stirred our Nation’s conscience. And their struggle helped convince a Texas Democrat who had previously voted against civil rights legislation to become its new champion. With skillful charm and ceaseless grit, President Lyndon B. Johnson shepherded the Civil Rights Act through the Congress — and on July 2, 1964, he signed it into law.

While laws alone cannot right every wrong, they possess an unmatched power to anchor lasting change. The Civil Rights Act threw open the door for legislation that strengthened voting rights and established fair housing standards for all Americans. Fifty years later, we know our country works best when we accept our obligations to one another, embrace the belief that our destiny is shared, and draw strength from the bonds that hold together the most diverse Nation on Earth.

As we reflect on the Civil Rights Act and the burst of progress that followed, we also acknowledge that our journey is not complete. Today, let us resolve to restore the promise of opportunity, defend our fellow Americans’ sacred right to vote, seek equality in our schools and workplaces, and fight injustice wherever it exists. Let us remember that victory never comes easily, but with iron wills and common purpose, those who love their country can change it.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 2, 2014, as the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with programs, ceremonies, and activities that celebrate this accomplishment and advance civil rights in our time.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.

BARACK OBAMA


http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/06/30/presidential-proclamation-50th-anniversary-civil-rights-act



related:

Remembering Dr. King - Civil Rights Act of 1964 enacted 50 yrs. ago today
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025183493

[randys1]

1. 50 Yrs later tens of millions of racists and misogynists and homophobes

are attacking America in a violent manner.

Voting rights are all but gone in many states if you are a minority or a student or elderly.

If you are Black you are under constant attack by police armed like military, and under constant attack from tens of millions of violent racists.

If you are a Woman you are hated by the entire rightwing of American including self hating Women...

I could go on...

But this is the post racial Obama America, right?

[bigtree]

2. I don't know about 'post racial'

Last edited Wed Jul 2, 2014, 10:05 PM - Edit history (1)

. . . but it's a mistake to discount the past accomplishments and progress; even as we recognize the need to accomplish more.

I understand the impulse and even the need to live in the now and the tendency to put all of the history behind us as we reflect on today's problems, but I feel we do great disservice by just viewing these amazing examples of our nation's shame and it's courage in the shadow of its setbacks and shortcomings. We must appreciate how important the progress was for folks who actually lived through the era of segregation, and, maybe that understanding can provide support and guidance for our present and future challenges.

[brer cat]

3. +1. Well stated, bigtree. nt

[sheshe2]

9. You can never stop fighting for what you believe in.

There always is going to be someone waiting to take it all away. We can't sit back. Not ever. We must be forever vigilant.

We must keep watch over the night and never become complacent. It's our job randy.

[bigtree]

10. you are so right, sheshe2. Thanks for stressing that

I reflect on Dr. King's optimism for the future, even as he sat in the hopeless surroundings of the Birmingham jail. I think he would agree that we need to be as eternally vigilant as we are hopeful.

[Cha]

4. Mahalo bigtree~

[bigtree]

6. celebrate, Cha!

Washington Post ?@washingtonpost 3m
Here's how we covered the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 50 years ago today http://wapo.st/1rkkwKY

[Cha]

11. Thank you so much.. I've had to be out all day.. and haven't

had time for proper responses, if at all.. but yours is important.

"We Owe It To Those Who Endured Then, And Acted Then, To Endure Now And Act Now"



http://theobamadiary.com/2014/07/02/we-owe-it-to-those-who-endured-then-and-acted-then-to-endure-now-and-act-now/

[sheshe2]

5. Thank you bigtree.

[bigtree]

7. for generations, sheshe2!

The First Lady ?@FLOTUS 2h
50 years ago today, LBJ signed the Civil Rights Act—transforming justice and equality for generations. #CRA50

[sheshe2]

8. 50 years ago today.

That is amazing, bigtree.

And here we have our first black President serving his second term.

[BumRushDaShow]

12. Kicking

Who back then in 1964, could imagine (realistically) that he, a son of a black African and a white American, would be President in time to commemorate even this particular anniversary?

Seems with all of the commemorations that happened last year, this most important one got a bit lost in all the drama of current events. I certainly never expected it in my lifetime. It's bittersweet and gives me hope that despite all the strife and ugliness, some good does prevail.