Never Walk Alone

Is life worth living? There has never been a time when this question, as to whether life is worth living, has not been asked, and there has never been a time, perhaps, when there did not seem to be good reason for its asking.
When we consider the tragic experiences of the senseless murders of Black men / women in this Nation that are happening far too often,–then we recognize the daily battles of racism that has to be fought; the appalling pains of prejudice that are encountered; the sorrows of irrational death and personal embarrassment that can happen at any time; the sordid struggle for daily existence; the blasted hopes and defeated ambitions, and when we add to this directory of hate the fact that there seems to be “No Justice-No Peace.”
As a Black man in this nation, state, and county, it is natural during these most disparaging and painful circumstances to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful and aching reality that continue to blind our vision and darken our dreams; until we are forced to transform into rioting, ransacking, and looting. This cannot be the main and identifying component of Civil Disobedience or what defines us at this distressing juncture. This cannot be the legacy that we build upon, but it is the birthright of hate, bigotry, and discrimination that we have inherited.
I am not inclined to be in that number of people who having eyes, and we see not; or having ears, and we ignore the resounding cries for help. We as a group, must rise up with a greater determination and with an alarming concern to be our brothers and sisters keepers.
For the greater good; whatever complaint, grievance, or objection it may cause, I as a man, am willing to stand in the gap, to know the truth, to discern the falsehood, and to provide support for the cause. We must as a nation have only one lamp by which our feet are guided, and our paths illuminated. We must look at the past to solidify our future. And looking at our past as a country, it has not been an endearing honeymoon for Black Americans.
The great struggle of today, the distrust, the senseless killing of Black men/women, and the political infights are tearing this nation apart. The snare at our feet is complacency, denial, and lack of trust. We continue to be afraid of each other because we don’t know each other, and we don’t know each other, because we don’t talk openly and honestly to each other, and we don’t talk openly to each other, because we avoid each other. We must become comfortable in being uncomfortable when discussing the issues of race relationships.
Many of us have been betrayed by Satan’s kiss over the years and it has disclosed our lack of trust with other ethnic groups. We must ask ourselves how we have allowed this most magnificent nation to be misguided by hate filled rhetoric and scornful actions that dwell in our homes and darken our neighborhoods. I know that we as Blacks are not devoid of good work ethics, basic principles, or purposeful living standards, because we know that these traits are necessary in building bridges of trust and pillars of faith.
We must continue to unite-Black, White, Brown- Asian- Others-and show ourselves willingly to reconcile with one another in love, trust, and understanding. Our collective judgement and respect for one another will compel us to use the power to see, appreciate, and build upon the foundation of truth to improve the conditions of all of mankind.
This is a common struggle, no one race, ethnicity, or culture can win or lose the battle of truth, justice, and equality alone. As we set out to march, others have also undertaken to travel along this journey of freedom and respect with us. Those who glow in the sunlight of opportunity, must cast a ray of hope to those who walk in despair. There is every reason to believe throughout this nation that people of good will, those who believe in basic human rights, and in the Constitutional Rights of others are tied together in mutuality and affinity. We are tied together fundamentally on beliefs and faith, bound together by our inalienable rights that are granted, and strapped together through political intimacy that are voted upon.
In the aftermath of Mr. George Floyd’s murder and the escalating protests that are sweeping the country, we have shown much restraint to violence here in Montgomery County, Texas. One cannot remain silent, but must acknowledge the knees that are on the necks of Blacks Neighborhoods throughout the County. Don’t be alarmed of inequalities, inequities, and preconceptions that continue to linger here in our own backyards.
With COVID-19 meandering throughout the county, and affecting Blacks throughout the nation at a higher percentage; we feel that the knee is on our necks as Blacks. Yes we were told about testing sites around the county but when we were seeking the No Appointment needed, No Money collected, a None Registering Mobile Testing Sites for many Blacks in Montgomery and surrounding areas. We got no cooperation on acquiring a test site from our local County Officials. There’s a knee on the political necks throughout the county because there are very few Blacks being appointed or elected to offices, there appears to be a low percentage of Black School Administrators and Teachers in some School Districts based on student diversity and makeup, and very little if any, Community Development being done in the Black neighborhoods. So the knee is still very present and bends with ill will upon our bodies as we strive to be included.
Like Mr. Floyd and others, we cry out because we have felt the pain of neglect far too long. It causes clouds of despondency and raindrops of hopelessness to form in our mental skies, and we observe, witness, and view all of the window panes of hope being shattered, broken, and covered with cardboards of despair. When fatigue overtakes our spirit and weigh us down, and when the Black man, woman, boy, or girl whose moral nature has been swept away by some mighty surge of discontent, disgruntlement, and distrust; then those temptations to feel the moral security of somebodies, to be included and respected, and to feel that the ethical refuge of one who fought and won; to be recognized as a contributing person, can never be cherished.
The man or woman whose life is spent in ease, comfort, and refinement will rarely appreciate the position of the man or woman who is having a horrific struggle or skirmish to make it in life. The person whose heart has never been torn by a great grief, disappointment, or rejection will likely not understand the value or depth of his own self-worth and happiness.
In spite of all our differences and class distinctions, there is far more democracy, consensus, and unanimity among us than all of the superficial observations indicate. We continue to believe that the beginning of goodness is to stand proudly on one’s feet. Always in one form or another, old mores, traditions, and customs are many times comfortable to live with, yet things constantly change, evolve, and advance in order that people of good conscious constantly triumph.
Let us continue to dig deep down into this struggle together, and let us realize that the equality that we are searching for is found in the strength of our Diversity. I speak out from the valley of my spirit because the echoes of truth, justice, and equality antedate parties, antedate organizations, and fundamentals that are as old as The Gospel itself. They are expressed by Jesus Christ that “that you do unto the least of these, you do it unto me.”
In conclusion, we must aim at the largest and widest view of life and devote our highest energies to attaining it. We must walk together and believe that every American can have equal opportunities, and that means kindly consideration for others opinions, for their views, for their interests, their charity and benevolence for those less fortunate. The sustaining power of life will come to each of us if we strive hard enough to capture our dreams and never to walk alone.


T. J. Wilkerson
Chairman Dr. MLK, Jr.
Community Improvement Organization
P.O. Box 568
Montgomery, Texas 77356
501 c3 Entity
281-686-2894