Kwame McDonald

Born in 1931 Del: What is your definition of the Civil Rights Movement? Kwame: Where people got together to move their practices and agenda. There were people of all colors, education and economic levels led by people of African descent. Del: How did you to participate in activism during the Movement? Kwame: Mainly by speaking, and I did some underground stuff that wouldn't do me any good at this point to describe. Del: In your opinion, would the public boycotting and protest of the past be an effective way to make the change today? Kwame: No. I think that today we as a people need to build our own agencies, organizations and educational institutions to do this. Del: What you think is the most important issues African Americans have to address today? Kwame: Health and well-being. And when I say health and well-being I am also including mental health and spirituality. Del: Are you familiar with the Black Arts movement? Kwame: Yes Del: How would you define the relationship between the Black Arts Movement and the Civil Rights Movement? Kwame: I think the Black Arts movement is probably the epitome of the way I would like to move towards civil rights because they do it from within instead of protesting and asking others to lower barriers so that they they can complete their task. The Black Arts Movement comes from within and it is stronger and more genuine than protest movements. Del: In what way are you active today? Kwame: Trying to strengthen black people's ability, resolve, and commitment to a freedom. Del: Control Kwame: We need to control of our own destiny and not allow others any type of control over anything we do. Del: Dehumanize Kwame: No one can in fact successfully dehumanize those of us who understand ourselves, the Movement and those of us who have confidence and love for self. Del: Stigma Kwame: The results are only temporary and weak at best. We are who we are, and others cannot assign a stigma that will endure or that is legitimate. Del: Traumatize Kwame: It is impossible for people who have strong spirituality and a sense of self to be traumatized. Del: Loss As long as we live there is no such thing as loss. There may be temporary setbacks, but as long as we live we are able and must overcome those setbacks. Del: Identity Kwame: Is how one sees themselves and it cannot be ascribed by anyone other than self. Del: Survival Kwame: If you are living and breathing you have survived and you retain the ability to enhance that survival. Del: Inspire Kwame: Is to motivate, and cause another or self to go beyond past accomplishments. Del: Hope Kwame: Hope it is born of optimism. Proper and correct understanding of one's place and one's ability in the world. Del: Closure Kwame:There is no such thing except in death. Everything is viable, changeable, ongoing, and malleable.

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