These are the loses since January:

•  800,000 African Americans became unemployed in the last year.

•  Black unemployment reached 7.3% before dropping to 6.6%.

•  2012 marked the first time Black voter turnout percentage exceeded white turnout.

•  Voter turnout is highest for ages 65+ and lowest for ages 18-27.

•  Over 900,000 Black voters did not participate in the Georgia gubernatorial election.

•  616,000 Black voters did not participate in the North Carolina election.

•  Republicans won the House majority by a 7,000-vote margin across key races.

•  Cheri Beasley lost a North Carolina Supreme Court seat by 401 votes.

Here’s something that was done to acquire the Voting Rights that are being dismantled across the country. Roland Martin advocates for “teach-ins” based on the SCLC citizenship education model.

Bob Fitch photography archive, © Stanford University Libraries

Participants in the voter registration and citizenship education project.

SCOPE Project

The Citizenship School Program of the Highlander Folk School shaped the grassroots leadership of the Civil Rights Movement. The Voter Education Project (VEP) coordinated the voter registration campaigns of five civil rights groups—the Southern Christian Leadership Conference(SCLC), the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Congress of Racial Equality, and the National Urban League. These efforts within the Movement enfranchised and empowered a segment of Southern black society that would have been untouched by demonstrations and federal voting legislation. Civil Rights activists in the Deep South, attempting to register voters, recognized the severe inadequacies of public education for black students and built parallel educational institutions designed to introduce black students to their rights as American citizens, develop local leadership and grassroots organizational structures.

blackS have supported democracy since we got rid of kings

Black History in the United States began when the first African indentured servants and enslaved people were brought west in the early seventeenth century. They were forced to do back-breaking labor on plantations and separated from their homes and families. Despite their unjust inferior status, they fought against Great Britain in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and against the Confederate South in the Civil War. During the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation freed all those enslaved in Confederate states and territories. Then at the end of the war, the 13th Amendment was ratified, freeing all enslaved individuals within the United States. Though they had freedom on paper, Black Americans faced significant discrimination in the workplace, the education system, and the political and social spheres. In the South, they suffered under the discriminatory Jim Crow laws that kept them segregated in all public places. In the mid-1950s, the civil rights movement began in earnest and Blacks protested across the United States until the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964. Though this improved their position in American society, Black Americans still face prejudice and discrimination today.Continue Reading ›

Source Information

Fold3, Black History (https://www.fold3.com/collection/african-american : accessed Nov 9, 2025), database and images, https://www.fold3.com/collection/african-americanTotal Publications35Total Records805,317

Millions of people marching in the streets across the United States and 10,000 – 20,000 marching here in Spokane. The marchers are asking a fundamental question: How do we preserve democracy when so many of our neighbors seem willing to trade it for the promise of security?

It appears that there is a great deal of fear dividing our country in two. Why these fears, what needs to be done, and how can we do it? What do our readers think? What does our community think? What do others think?  

This is a three part series.  The first part describes the fears and what needs to be done to address them. The second part addresses why Black people should resist the loss of democracy, the third part deals with what needs to be done. Later articles can follow the progress of the Spokane fight for democracy.

The articles discuss various evidence-based approaches to enhance democratic resilience and social cohesion at government, institutional, and individual levels. They highlight the importance of economic interventions, leadership strategies, educational reforms, media responsibility, and personal engagement. The text outlines measures for specific demographic concerns while emphasizing the need for systemic changes and the importance of measuring success. Key factors for success include authenticity, inclusivity, patience, consistency, local focus, and bipartisan support.

Feedback from social media posts and interactions can be used to invite them to remove the fear, save democracy and participate in building a better community they want to live in.

Read the first article in the Fighting Fear series:

1. Why Are People So Afraid That They Choose Tyranny Over Democracy

2. Why Blacks Will Resist the Loss of Democracy

3. What Needs To Be Done to Relieve Fear?

4. Join Fighting Fear and Volunteer

SUBSCRIBE: If you want suggestions on what we must do in addition to protesting in the streets, subscribe to 4comculture.com. Go to the top of the sidebar and send us your email address.

October 18th millions marched. They said NO TRUMP! In order to stop tyranny now what do you want to do?

When the choice is tyranny or revolution, to keep your head in the sand is to choose tyranny. If you choose revolution the question is nonviolent or violent.

The Scenario

1. A presidential candidate has won the election and gained control over all branches of government.
2. The new administration refuses to follow court rulings and historical norms.
3. Democratic processes and checks and balances have broken down.
4. The leadership style is modeled after authoritarian regimes like Russia, North Korea, and China.

This situation represents a significant threat to democratic institutions and the rule of law, which are fundamental to a functioning democracy.

Can We Trust This Man?

Options for Grassroots Movements

In such a scenario, grassroots movements and civil society organizations face a critical decision: whether to accept the new regime or to resist. Based on historical examples and research on civil resistance, there are several potential courses of action:

Nonviolent revolutions have endured longer

1. Nonviolent Revolution

Historically, nonviolent revolutions have been more successful and led to more stable democratic outcomes than violent uprisings. Research by Erica Chenoweth and Maria J. Stephan has shown that nonviolent campaigns are twice as likely to succeed as violent ones.

Strategies for nonviolent revolution could include:

a) Mass Mobilization: Organizing large-scale protests, strikes, and boycotts to demonstrate widespread opposition to the regime. This was effectively used in the Philippines People Power Revolution (1986) and the U.S. Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s).

b) Civil Disobedience: Engaging in coordinated acts of nonviolent resistance, such as sit-ins, blockades, or refusal to pay taxes. The Indian Independence Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi successfully employed these tactics.

c) Alternative Institutions: Creating parallel governance structures or “shadow governments” to challenge the legitimacy of the regime and provide essential services to the population.

d) International Solidarity: Appealing to international organizations and foreign governments for support and sanctions against the regime. This strategy was crucial in the South African Anti-Apartheid Movement.

2. Civic Engagement and Grassroots Organizing

Even in challenging political environments, there are legal and peaceful methods to resist authoritarianism:

a) Stakeholder Engagement: Identifying and mobilizing key stakeholders who can influence the political process.

b) Effective Communication: Using clear, consistent messaging to articulate grievances and demands.

c) Technology and Social Media: Leveraging digital platforms for organizing, information sharing, and mobilizing support.

d) Educational Interventions: Implementing programs to promote civic engagement and democratic values.

e) Building Trust and Relationships: Establishing networks of trust within communities to strengthen resistance efforts.

3. Seeking International Support

Grassroots movements can appeal to international democratic support systems and diplomatic channels:

a) International Organizations: Engaging with bodies like the UN, OSCE, and International IDEA to highlight democratic backsliding and seek support.

b) Foreign Diplomatic Pressure: Encouraging democratic nations to exert diplomatic pressure on the regime, similar to Sweden’s “Drive for Democracy” initiative.

c) NGO Partnerships: Collaborating with international NGOs like Freedom House to document and publicize human rights violations and democratic erosion.

Violent Revolution as a Last Resort

While violent revolution might seem like an option, it’s important to note that:

1. Violent uprisings are statistically less likely to succeed than nonviolent movements.
2. They often lead to prolonged conflict and instability.
3. Violent revolutions can delegitimize the movement in the eyes of both domestic and international observers.
4. They may provide justification for increased repression by the regime.

Conclusion

In the face of democratic breakdown and the rise of authoritarianism, grassroots movements have historically been most successful when employing nonviolent strategies. These strategies, combined with effective civic engagement and international support, offer the best chance for restoring democratic norms and institutions.

The choice between accepting tyranny and forming a revolution is a complex one, with significant consequences. However, the historical record suggests that nonviolent revolutions, when well-organized and widely supported, can be effective in challenging even the most entrenched authoritarian regimes.

It’s crucial for grassroots movements to carefully consider their options, build broad coalitions, and maintain a commitment to nonviolent tactics to maximize their chances of success and minimize the risk of further destabilization or violence.

When tyranny and revolution appear to be the choices, which do you think we ought to choose? The choice should be made with deep thought. If you keep your head in the sand and refuse to recognize the current conditions, you have chosen tyranny. But if you choose revolution the question is nonviolent or violent.

If you want suggestions on what we must do in addition to protesting in the streets, subscribe to 4comculture.com. Go to the top of the sidebar and send us your email address.

The psychological traits of true believers in mass movements can be observed in the followers of contemporary political figures like Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Barack Obama, and Bernie Sanders.

See the article for details: CLICK HERE

Ann Marie Danimus engages with a man about abortion prior to U>S> Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s speedh at a Kootenai County GOP dinner in downtown Coeur d’Alene. 2022

The marchers are asking a fundamental question: How do we preserve democracy when so many of our neighbors seem willing to trade it for the promise of security?

It appears that there is a great deal of fear dividing our country in two. Why these fears, what needs to be done, and how can we do it? What do our readers think? What does our community think? What do others think?  

This is a three part series.  The first part describes the fears and what needs to be done to address them. The second part addresses why Black people should resist the loss of democracy, the third part deals with what needs to be done. Later articles can follow the progress of the Spokane fight for democracy.

The articles discuss various evidence-based approaches to enhance democratic resilience and social cohesion at government, institutional, and individual levels. They highlight the importance of economic interventions, leadership strategies, educational reforms, media responsibility, and personal engagement. The text outlines measures for specific demographic concerns while emphasizing the need for systemic changes and the importance of measuring success. Key factors for success include authenticity, inclusivity, patience, consistency, local focus, and bipartisan support.

Feedback from social media posts and interactions can be used to invite them to remove the fear, save democracy and participate in building a better community they want to live in.

Why Are People So Afraid That They Choose Tyranny Over Democracy

Robert “Bob” Lloyd info@4comculture.com 4comculture.com

Fighting Fear Articles

1. Why Are People So Afraid That They Choose Tyranny Over Democracy

2. Why Blacks Will Resist the Loss of Democracy

3. What Needs To Be Done to Relieve Fear?

This page provides examples of how you can be empowered. Feel free to look around 4comculture.com. Please also do research outside of the site.

Join Fighting Fear

Historical Context and Deep-Rooted Resistance

African Americans whose families have been in America since the 1400s and experienced slavery until the 1860s carry a unique and profound understanding of what happens when democratic institutions fail and authoritarian power goes unchecked. This lived experience across generations creates distinct motivations for resisting authoritarianism that differ significantly from more recent immigrant communities.

Generational Memory of Systemic Oppression

For African American communities with deep ancestral roots in America, the fight against Project 2025 and strongman leadership is informed by centuries of experiencing what happens when one group holds unchecked power. Their ancestors lived through:

• Slavery as a legal institution supported by government structures
• Jim Crow laws that used legal frameworks to enforce racial hierarchy
• Systematic exclusion from democratic participation despite constitutional promises
• State-sanctioned violence when they challenged existing power structures

This historical memory creates an acute awareness that democratic institutions, when weakened, can quickly become tools of oppression rather than protection.

Recent Immigrant Communities

The resistance motivations differ significantly from those of recent immigrants because:

For Long-Standing African American Communities:

• They cannot “go back” – America is their only home, making the stakes existential
• They’ve seen this playbook before – recognizing patterns of authoritarian consolidation
• They understand that “rocking the boat” is necessary – their ancestors’ progress came through resistance, not compliance
• They know that initial promises of stability often precede greater oppression

For Recent Immigrant Communities:

• May prioritize economic stability and fear jeopardizing newfound opportunities
• Might have different reference points for what constitutes dangerous authoritarianism
• Could be more willing to “wait and see” rather than immediately resist
• May fear that activism could threaten their status in ways that don’t apply to established communities

Understanding Project 2025’s Specific Threats

Project 2025 represents a particular threat to Black communities because it “includes a long list of extreme policy recommendations touching on nearly every aspect of American life, from immigration and abortion rights, to free speech and racial justice” [1]. The plan “would severely harm Black communities across the country” through its “radical proposals to restructure the federal government and increase the president’s authority” [2].

For communities with generational experience of oppression, these proposals echo historical patterns where concentrated executive power was used to maintain racial hierarchies and suppress civil rights progress.

The Stakes of Democratic Backsliding

African American communities with deep American roots understand that when presidents position themselves “as kings or strongman leaders,” the communities that suffer first and most severely are those who have historically been marginalized. Their resistance isn’t just political preference—it’s survival instinct informed by historical experience.

This creates a unique perspective where challenging authority isn’t “rocking the boat”—it’s preventing the boat from capsizing entirely. Their ancestors learned that waiting for gradual change or hoping that authoritarian leaders will self-limit often leads to deeper oppression, not eventual liberation.

The fight against authoritarianism, for these communities, represents a continuation of a centuries-long struggle for true democratic participation and protection under law.

What needs to be done?

What can be done to relieve these fears and concerns – by government, by leadership, by institutions, by individuals? What Needs To Be Done To Relieve Fear

4.

Fighting Fear Articles

1. Why Are People So Afraid That They Choose Tyranny Over Democracy

2. Why Blacks Will Resist the Loss of Democracy

3. What Needs To Be Done to Relieve Fear?

4. Join Fighting Fear and Volunteer

This page provides examples of how you can be empowered. Feel free to look around 4comculture.com. Please also do research outside of the site.

CORE’s (Congress of Racial Equality) Rules for Direct Action became a model for nonviolent resistance worldwide. Their emphasis on preparation, discipline, and moral clarity ensured that their actions were both effective and ethically grounded. These principles continue to influence modern social movements, from environmental activism to racial justice campaigns. By combining strategic planning with cultural tools, CORE and similar organizations demonstrated the power of nonviolence in achieving systemic change.

CORE’S Rules for Direct Action full article CLICK HERE

History and Influence of CORE article CLICK HERE

1. Empowering Marginalized Communities

CORE’s rules emphasized nonviolent direct action as a way for marginalized communities to assert their rights and demand justice without resorting to violence. This approach:

• Gave agency to oppressed groups: By training individuals in nonviolent tactics, CORE empowered ordinary people to participate in protests, sit-ins, and boycotts, making them active agents of change .
• Built solidarity across racial lines: CORE’s interracial founding and commitment to equality demonstrated that social justice could be pursued collectively, transcending racial and cultural barriers.

For example, CORE’s early sit-ins in the 1940s and 1950s successfully desegregated restaurants and public facilities in northern cities, proving that nonviolent action could achieve tangible results.

2. Establishing Nonviolence as a Moral and Strategic Tool

CORE’s rules were inspired by Gandhian principles of nonviolence, which emphasized the moral high ground in the fight for justice. This approach had several key impacts:

• Moral legitimacy: Nonviolence exposed the brutality of segregation and racism, particularly when peaceful protesters were met with violence. This shifted public opinion and garnered sympathy for the civil rights movement.
• Strategic effectiveness: Nonviolent tactics like sit-ins, Freedom Rides, and boycotts disrupted systems of oppression without alienating potential allies. For example, the Freedom Rides of 1961, organized by CORE, challenged segregation in interstate travel and drew national attention to the injustices of Jim Crow laws .

By adhering to nonviolence, CORE and other civil rights organizations were able to frame their struggle as a fight for universal human rights, forcing the U.S. to confront its contradictions between democratic ideals and racial inequality.

3. Inspiring Broader Social Justice Movements

CORE’s rules and tactics became a blueprint for other social justice movements, both in the U.S. and globally:

• Civil Rights Movement: CORE’s success in using nonviolent direct action inspired other organizations, such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), to adopt similar strategies .
• Global Movements: The principles of nonviolence and direct action influenced anti-apartheid activists in South Africa, as well as other movements for racial and social justice worldwide.

4. Highlighting the Role of Leadership and Organization

CORE’s rules emphasized the importance of investigation, documentation, and negotiation before taking direct action. This structured approach ensured that protests were well-organized and focused on specific goals:

• Leadership and training: CORE provided training in nonviolent resistance, preparing activists to remain disciplined even in the face of provocation .
• Strategic planning: By thoroughly investigating issues and negotiating with authorities before resorting to direct action, CORE demonstrated that social justice efforts could be both principled and pragmatic.

However, as CORE’s influence waned in later years due to internal divisions and shifts in leadership, some critics noted that a lack of organization and functional leadership hindered its ability to sustain participation in social justice efforts.

5. Bridging the Gap Between Local and National Movements

CORE’s decentralized structure allowed local chapters to address specific issues in their communities while contributing to the broader civil rights movement:

• Local impact: CORE chapters in places like Mississippi played a critical role in desegregating public facilities and registering Black voters during the 1960s .
• National influence: CORE’s actions, such as the Freedom Rides and the March on Washington, brought national attention to the fight for racial equality and pressured policymakers to enact civil rights legislation.

This dual focus on local and national action demonstrated how grassroots organizing could drive systemic change.

6. Challenges and Limitations

While CORE’s rules for action had a significant impact on social justice, they also faced challenges:

• Internal divisions: As CORE’s leadership shifted in the late 1960s, the organization moved away from its nonviolent roots and adopted more conservative positions, leading to a decline in its influence .
• Resistance to nonviolence: Some activists, frustrated by the slow pace of change, questioned the effectiveness of nonviolence and turned to more militant approaches. This tension highlighted the limits of CORE’s strategy in addressing systemic racism .

7. Cultural and Symbolic Impact

CORE’s rules for action also shaped the cultural dimensions of social justice movements:

• Symbols of resistance: CORE’s use of sit-ins, Freedom Rides, and other forms of civil disobedience became iconic symbols of the civil rights struggle .
• Music and art: CORE and other organizations used songs like “We Shall Overcome” to unite activists and convey the moral urgency of their cause.
• Media influence: By adhering to nonviolence, CORE ensured that images of peaceful protesters being attacked by police or mobs would resonate with the public and expose the brutality of segregation .

Conclusion

CORE’s Rules for Direct Action had a transformative impact on social justice by providing a disciplined, nonviolent framework for challenging systemic oppression. These rules empowered marginalized communities, established nonviolence as a powerful tool for change, and inspired movements worldwide. While CORE faced challenges in sustaining its influence, its legacy continues to shape the strategies and principles of modern social justice efforts.

CORE’S Rules for Direct Action full article CLICK HERE

To build coalitions and bridges beyond our own special interests:

1. Identify Common Goals: Successful coalitions often start with a clear understanding of the common goals and the necessity of collaboration. The process involves identifying the problems or goals that bring organizations together, understanding the community’s needs, and assembling a diverse group of stakeholders who can contribute to achieving the coalition’s objectives [7].
2. Engage Diverse Stakeholders: Include those most affected by the issue and leverage their unique perspectives and resources. This diversity can lead to more comprehensive and effective solutions.
3. Focus on Shared Interests: Cross-racial coalitions, for example, have been successful in addressing issues like voting rights and economic opportunities by focusing on shared interests or common threats [8].
4. Utilize Frameworks: Employ frameworks like the Health Impact Pyramid to assess local assets and challenges, coordinate activities, and monitor interventions effectively [9].
5. Promote Open Communication: Foster a culture of open dialogue and shared responsibility among coalition members to ensure all voices are heard and valued.