Angst & Awe, Refelctions at SCLC Turns 65

Awe and Angst

Reflections as SCLC turns 65

By: DeMark Liggins, Chief of Staff Southern Christian Leadership Conference

I am a 43-year-old Black man, father, son and husband. I also hold the distinction of being the Chief of Staff for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Reflecting on the SCLC, what has meant to my life and our country, fills me with pride and humility to hold this position. The SCLC has been active in protests, movements and nonviolent direct action. Beyond that, it has been at the forefront of seminal legislative and moral victories, highlighted by Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act. Additionally, there have been countless local, state and corporate victories that were byproducts of the advocacy of the SCLC.

The SCLC is deeply intertwined with the history of Black people in our country and the efforts to secure rights for the disenfranchised and oppressed. Without the SCLC, I would have never been able to obtain my Series 7 license and work as a stockbroker/banker prior to coming to the SCLC. My sister would not be an accomplished attorney, nor my other sister be the President/CEO of a city partnership in one of the largest cities in the South. My father would not have been a retired Lieutenant Colonel and Chaplain in the United States Air Force. My mother would not have obtained her Master’s degree in Social Work. Particularly because both of them grew up in the segregated south. My children were born in a time where we celebrated the election of our country’s first Black President and First Lady. My thirteen year old daughter is able to aspire to be an entrepreneur and a dermatologist. My six year old twin boys can dream large, live freely and laugh. None of this would be possible were it not for the convening of pastors, February 14th 1957. That day, a group of pastors, under the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., convened to form the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Rooted in their faith, they dared to change our country for the better and challenge America to live up to her ideals of liberty and justice for all. They fought for equality in our laws, our right to vote and to reconcile the oppression and injustice that too long plagued our nation, particularly in the south. 65 years later, I find myself standing in a peculiar position. I am in awe that the SCLC led a nonviolent movement of direct action, leadership and change that defined the historic Civil Rights Movement. I am in angst, that entrenched tenacles of oppression and injustice still choke our communities. Yes, I am proud of the work the SCLC has done, but am committed to making sure that we will continue to “Redeem the Soul of America”. Income inequality, wealth gaps, housing disparity, racial profiling and voter suppression are too often the norm for the Black and the poor. Addressing those issues been exacerbated by the presence of the exceptions to those norms. Of course, we applaud and highlight members of our community who have been able to overcome the perilous path faced by many in in our country. But civil rights and advocacy is the work of making sure that access is for the masses not the few. SCLC National Magazine/ Spring 2022 Issue

The influence and impact of SCLC over the past 65 years was not a product of our degrees, our job titles or the square footage of our homes. Our history has come from being resolute in confronting issues with the boldness of truth, the fearlessness of faith and a humility of spirit. Dr. Charles Steele, Jr., our National President/CEO, often says that America cannot heal, until every community affected by slavery and oppression can reconcile the scars that both the oppressor and the oppressed carry. It is not an easy task to undertake. In a world defined by clicks, media appearances and likes, we often overlook the work and patience it takes to affect change. The allure of popularity makes it difficult to confront the harsh past of our nation and the systemic oppression that continue to exist today. Yet, Dr. Steele stands as a reminder to me, the SCLC, and our country that our work is not yet finished. The SCLC is still standing 65 years after its establishment, a feat in and of itself. Many groups were not able to withstand the perils of time. I am impressed that the organization is strong and resolute. We will continue to press America to live up to her best ideals. We will be here for the next 65 years and beyond until freedom and equality are indeed found from sea to shining sea.

We congratulate the SCLC’s efforts to improve world peace and equality for all.

www.fnf.com

DeMark Liggins is a proud alum of Alabama State University, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and involved in several civic organizations in the Atlanta area. He is married to his wife Atoya and they have three children, Reagan (13), Darden (7) and Deuce (7).

Voting Justice Equality

65th