“As goes the South…so goes the nation”, was the quote from W.E.B. DuBois that I was reminded of when the “All Roads Lead to the South” National Day of Action was announced a week ago.
As a Southern Black woman, I often feel the weight of both expectation and judgment; Expectation to continue the fight that our ancestors fought on this same land. Judgment from my Black brothers and sisters who wonder why my family and others like mine continue to live in the states of the Old Confederacy.
The answer has never been clearer to me than it was on May 16 in Montgomery, Ala., where thousands gathered to raise concerns about congressional redistricting and the weakening of voting rights protections for people of color.
Many of the freedoms Black Americans and other marginalized communities have gained over the last 60 years were secured because Southern Black communities organized, protested, and demanded change. The South has long been the testing ground for America’s democracy, and that remains true today.
The funny thing about history is that sometimes it’s easy to forget the how and why in certain situations. In her book “South to America,” Imani Perry wrote that understanding the modern United States requires understanding the South. The region continues to shape the nation’s political, social, and cultural direction, and that reality was reflected in Montgomery.
”All Roads Lead to the South” was about spreading the message, galvanizing people to understand this moment, and creating a call to action against a force that believes too much Black representation in Congress could ultimately work against Project 2025’s agenda. So what’s next?
I spoke with Representative Justin Pearson on the ground in Alabama, who specifically mentioned the importance of familial organizing and getting back to basics. We should ensure that all our loved ones are registered to vote and going to the polls – not just for national elections, but for those at the local level, which often have a greater impact on our lives.
During my conversation with political commentator and social justice advocate Angela Rye, she stressed the importance of unity in this moment.
“We have to stick together,” she said.
I agree with those sentiments and am working to do my part. But I’m also looking forward to the next effective collective movement.
The gathering demonstrated that collective action is still possible. Recent consumer boycotts, including Target Fast, prove that communities can organize around shared goals and apply economic pressure when necessary. The larger question now is what sustained action looks like moving forward.
The rally in Montgomery was not just about one court ruling or one election cycle. It was a reminder that battles over voting rights, representation, and political power are ongoing, and once again, the South is at the center of all of them.
