Albany, Louisiana was a small town, but in the 1960s it had big problems. Tired of discrimination, residents decided to take action: planning a march that would go through several local communities.
It turned out to be one for the history books – but not for the reason you might think.
Of course racism had to show up; white terrorists planned to attack the marchers and destroy businesses so Black marchers could be blamed. But because of their ineptitude, that’s NOT what happened!
When one of the racists refused to attack the marchers so he could sell drinks at his bar instead, all stupidity broke loose.
The idiots ended up shooting white patrons at the bar, running over police officers with their cars, and even killing one of their own! What happened to the march?
The police refused to protect the marchers after the chaos, so organizers worked together to provide food, housing, and protection for the marchers. Even though racists tried – and failed – to blame the death on Black marchers, the attempt to take a stand for civil rights was successful.
A racist system that seeks to destroy us can’t be relied on to protect us as we fight for liberation. As the marchers demonstrated, we must provide for our own well-being and safety, especially when we challenge the status quo.