Nati nal Urban League

Brings annual conference to Houston

to make it a different America. What is happening now threatens to wipe out that progress. And that to me is a significant, clear and present danger, which is why have to be more than woke. We have to be in action mode to work and to fight. And we can’t do it alone. We’ve got to demonstrate our assertiveness. We need our friends, we need our allies, we need others to be able to do this. Because what we’re trying to do is build this multicultural America that respects this value, [and] has a place at the table for all.

DEFENDER: Some young adults are lukewarm at best about traditional civil rights organizations.What’s your message to them?

MORIAL: Get involved somewhere. If we are not the choice, get involved somewhere. Because ultimately, we’re going to be partnering with you. We’re going to be aligned with you. Don’t be a naysayer. Don’t stand on the side. Get involved somewhere. Create something on your own, but be involved in the issues. We welcome you into our house. We welcome you into our tent. But our tent is not an exclusive tent. Our tent, our house is part of a bigger movement. Whatever works for you. The other thing I’d say is don’t judge us until you try us. See if it works for you. See if there’s something in it for you. Don’t judge us based on hearsay and trash-talking and things that may be inaccurate or outdated, but get involved. Be an active citizen. Be a voter. Be involved in an organization that meets and fits your sensibilities and values.

DEFENDER: What’s your challenge to young people who want to see a changed society?

MORIAL: I think it was healthy to see people involved in the Black Lives Matter movement. But young people who were involved, my challenge [to you] is stay active. A march for a year or 18 months by itself is not going to change 400-year-old problems. You can’t be someone who thinks that we’re going to either litigate one case, one bill, one march, one this, one that. This work is hard because the history is very challenging. Slav ery goes all the way back to 1500 in Lisbon. We’re now [23 years past] the year 2,000— that’s 500 years. People have to be aware that it’s difficult and hard. I’m just a proponent of active citizens. That’s what we need in our community—people active where they’re comfortable being active.

DEFENDER: What’s the L.E.A.D. Summit?

MORIAL: It’s highly focused on under 40. And its content is designed for and by