HKonJ: History Repeating, but What?

Once again, the masses are taking it to the streets. This Saturday downtowners beware, the streets will be alive with the voices of peoples united calling for ambitious reform and change in a march known as the Historic Thousands on Jones, or HKonJ. This year’s march promises to be at least as equally historic as last year’s HKonJ. And as meeting-goers look to the future, this march might even set the bracket for next year’s HKonJ! The future is not ready.

This year the NAACP and a whole myriad of dissimilar organizations will put forth a 14 point agenda which will be chanted repeatedly (twice) from Chavis Park to the legislative building. The march will call for, in some cases simply: “Healthcare for All!” and “Bring home the troops!”, but then they’ll turn to more complicated demands like: “Redress two ugly chapters in North Carolina’s racist history, the overthrow of the bi-racial 1898 Wilmington Government and the sterilization of poor, mainly black, women between the years 1947 and 1977.”

The HKonJ also promises to be the veritable love fest between the African Americans, the Latinos, and the low-wage union workers that will be seen no where else in America. It’s a promise of unity and hope that seems to be sweeping this nation and the times. Where else would you see the Muslim American Freedom Society, and the St. Francis Assissi fellowship clasping hands in friendship? Or El Pueblo and the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina? The Freemasons?!

And what will also be found in the midst of this liberal carnivale? Candidates for office slugging it out to see who can prove how liberal they can be. They’ve already begun making rsvp’s on the HKonJ website. Seriously. The Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor will pit Dellinger, Besse, and Smathers in knock-down drag out for ending the death penalty, ensuring affordable housing, and some how miraculously ending the war in Iraq? Oh guys…The scene will surely beg the question, which do I stand with? Funding our historically black colleges or allowing non-citizens the right to collective bargaining. I’ll tell you which one I’d pick.

Despite my cynicism, these people are truly fighting a good fight. Several actually. This writer just wonders if their messages will be lost amid the cacophony of mixed goals from all these different groups. Either way, onward they’ll march, fighting for…something.

You can join in, Saturday February 9th at 11:30am in Chavis Park. At 12:30, the march will be move on the Legislature. Go, show your support.

Image: HK on J - Close_up_of_14 points_w_hand by Phyllis Nunn

 

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