October 17, 2023
Listen to the audio version of this message (https://bit.ly/45IqY4g)
I recall watching the powerful film “Malcolm X,” many years ago, featuring Denzel Washington’s iconic portrayal of the civil rights leader. It holds a place in my personal top ten movies.
I have watched it many times. It doesn’t matter how often I watch it, I come away thinking about the same thing.
Sadly, internal strife, rumors, and other unfortunate events collapsed the movement. This instance is one among many; even the illustrious Martin Luther King Jr. grappled with divisive moments within his legacy.
So, what lessons can we glean from this historical reflection? Are we destined to take the same actions and expect different outcomes? As the saying goes, isn’t that the definition of insanity?
Why do we allow division, rumors, disputes, envy, and accusations to infiltrate our organizations and grassroots movements, diminishing their impact and sometimes dismantling the structures we’ve diligently constructed?
Theo Braddy – A black man with a bald head, a salt and pepper full beard wearing eyeglasses, sitting in a wheelchair. Theo smiles while addressing the audience at NCIL’s 2023 Annual Conference on Independent Living.
We must be stronger than these tactics!
We must be stronger than the rumors and lies!
We must be stronger than disagreements!
We must be stronger than the accusations and the opposition!
We must be aware of our history, learn from it, and be stronger and possibly even better.
Let us not continue to succumb to the same mistakes!
As a movement, and yes, it is a movement of people with disabilities fighting for equality, let us learn from our mistakes and not turn on each other so quickly.
When we see the same old tricks being used, let us see them for what they are and let them cause us to come together and be even stronger.
We must be STRONGER!
About NCIL
NCIL is the longest-running national cross-disability grassroots organization, driven by and dedicated to people with disabilities. Since its founding in 1982, NCIL has represented thousands of organizations and individuals, advocating tirelessly for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities across the United States.
Image: Theo Braddy – A black man with a bald head, a salt and pepper full beard wearing eyeglasses, sitting in a wheelchair. Theo smiles while addressing the audience at NCIL’s 2023 Annual Conference on Independent Living.