The long-term impact still remains to be seen. Older generations are still intimately familiar with the civil rights movement, but this is different. The federal government was not the main culprit then as it is now. It is different because America, at that time, was not faced with an authoritarian in the White House who believes he is above the law. It is different because the Black church is not the center of the Black community as it was in the past. Many people may disagree with the Black church’s role during the civil rights the movement, but it’s effective organization through a national network of churches cannot be disputed. Any successful movement, as described by David Brooks, will need the moral courage of the Black church along with its local and national network.
