Backlash: Lessons from Black Monday and the Greenwood Blockade
In the annals of American history, moments of progress for Black communities have too often been met with a resounding backlash from those clinging desperately to the status quo of racial inequality. From the halls of Congress to farms of the South to educational institutions across the country, the echoes of resistance reverberate, reminding us of the persistent struggle for justice and equity.
One such pivotal moment occurred on Monday, May 17, 1954, forever etched in history as "Black Monday." This was the day the Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education, striking a blow against segregation in public schools. Yet, as the gavel fell, so rose the resolve of those who opposed equality. U.S. Representative John Bell Williams (D-Mississippi) coined the term "Black Monday" to symbolize not just a date but a rallying cry for those who sought to preserve America’s racial caste system.
In the wake of Brown v. Board of Education, the White Citizens' Council began to organize across the South. Eager to maintain their power and continue building their futures on the backs of Black people, these councils sought to nullify the NAACP, create separate states for Black Americans, and abolish public schools. Their resistance was not merely rhetorical; it was institutionalized, with many government officials at every level of this country being proud members of the WCC actively organizing along with their brethren.
In Greenwood, Mississippi, Black communities, already denied reasonable access to quality food, faced further hardship when the all-white county board of supervisors, voted to end the Federal Commodities Food Program. This decision, made by an all-white board with negligible consideration for the needs of Black sharecroppers, left tens of thousands without a reliable food source.
The parallels between past and present are undeniable. Today, we witness a similar pattern of white backlash against Black progress, or the semblance of progress. Efforts to support Black-owned businesses, forgive the debts of Black farmers, or teach an accurate history of Black Americans are met with legal challenges and resistance from those threatened by the prospect of equity and any shift in the balance of power.
Consider the lawsuit filed by conservative activist Edward Blume against the Fearless Fund, which seeks to empower Black women entrepreneurs. Or the legal battle waged against the Biden Administration's attempt to alleviate the burden of debt on Black farmers. Even initiatives like Affirmative Action and the teaching of Black history face relentless attacks, as seen in the whitewashing of education in states like Florida.
What emerges from these examples is a troubling reality: any advancement toward equity for Black communities is met with a concerted effort to maintain the racial caste system that has long defined America’s story. The pattern is clear, and the message is unmistakable—the status quo will not yield without a fight.
As we confront this reality, it becomes imperative for Black communities to chart our own path toward sovereignty and autonomy. Building resilient food systems, and ensuring access to truth-based education and economic opportunities, are the foundations upon which generational wealth and longevity can be built. But it requires vigilance, resilience, and an unapologetic commitment to justice.
In the face of adversity, we must draw strength from the lessons of history. Black Monday and the Greenwood blockade serve as stark reminders of the forces that have been waged against the path to freedom. But they also ground us in our resolve to continue pressing on until equity is a reality for all. We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, so we know what challenges lie ahead. But we are the living testament that what our ancestors fought for was worth it, and we keep our eyes fixed on the dream we’re building.
