Saturday 31 May 2014

Keeping Our Eyes On The Prize


THIS extraordinary footage of the American civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s bears searing testimony to the historical truth of the Black abolitionist, Frederick Douglass', famous observation: "Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will." 

"Keep your eyes on the prize - hold on!", sings Mavis Staples, reminding all seekers after social justice that it will never be found by those who allow themselves to be distracted from and lose sight of the ultimate goal. There are many roads to the Promised Land, the important thing is to keep on walking and not to let anyone turn you around.

May the courage and determination of Black America's epic struggle for freedom and justice inspire us all to keep our eyes on the prizes we are seeking.

 
Videos courtesy of YouTube

3 comments:

Guerilla Surgeon said...

There was a great TV series called 'Eyes on the Prize' as I remember

Anonymous said...

Very moving, the Seeger Session Band do a wonderful version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95dFcWTBHQk

Don Franks said...

There are two prizes.

A decent home, job and environment.

Or, maximum profits.

They are mutually exclusive.

Take your pick and go to war for it.