Friend,
I wasn't there, but my aunts and uncles, my parents, and my grandparents -- they remember.
Fifty-two years ago, our people learned that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed in Memphis. They heard the news in their living rooms, kitchens, neighborhood meetings, at school, and at work. Many broke down crying or shouted out in anger.
They didn't yet know if the death of the man would mean the death of the dream, but they carried on. And I'm glad they did.
It's hard not to wonder where we'd be today if Dr. King hadn't been killed that night in April -- if he'd been able to continue standing alongside the sanitation workers striking in Memphis, to stand in solidarity with the civil rights activists of the 1970s and beyond, and to build Black political power over the decades since. I wish I'd had the chance to meet him, and to thank him.
But I'm so thankful that we've had so many Black leaders step up and carry the torch, back then, and today.
We're fortunate to have leaders like John Lewis and Jim Clyburn still fighting for equality on the front lines. We're fortunate to have leaders like Stacey Abrams, Lucy McBath, Ayanna Pressley, Lauren Underwood, and so many others inspire new generations by running their own campaigns. And all of us at The Collective are blessed to do our own part in identifying, training, and supporting more Black leaders than ever before to run for office.
Our people have not yet won the dream, but we won't stop fighting, no matter how many years have passed. And together, we will win.
Thank you,
Quentin James
Co-founder
The Collective
The Collective is strengthening our democracy by addressing the underrepresentation of Black Americans in public office. To help The Collective build Black political power in 2020, rush support today.
Donate >> [link removed]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Paid for by The Collective; not authorized by any candidate or any candidate's committee. |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Collective
2101 L St NW
Suite 800
Washington DC 20037 United States
If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please [link removed].
