The recent manifestation of protest at the MLK proclamation has led to visible tension within City Council. They are now preparing to vote on a resolution recognizing February as Black History Month. A few days ago, Council received public pushback from the NAACP (and about 12 citizens) when no p roclamation was issued in advance. Angela Stevens, president of the Colorado Springs NAACP, didn’t mince words. She told council members, “We see you, as a body, playing it safe,” calling the delay part of a broader national trend of deemphasizing Black history. Colorado City Council isn’t deemphasizing Black history. In eight of the past nine years, our council has had no problem issuing a proclamation or resolution to celebrate Black history. This “playing it safe” follows directly on the heels of the inappropriate protest that unfolded during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day proclamation. About two weeks ago – nine speakers recast the MLK proclamation into a protest against ICE. Angela Stevens, leader of the NAACP, was at that meeting. And said nothing. Whatever one’s views on ICE, the protest was toxic. Special moments like a proclamation come with an understanding. You don’t hijack the mic to redirect attention to your own cause. Even when the issue matters. After that, we all saw Councilmember Donelson’s reaction to the hijacking. He refused to participate in the customary photo afterward, because he wasn’t there for an ICE event. Still inappropriate. Later, Councilmember Kimberly Gold’s written public response framed the faith leaders’ intervention as faithful to Dr. King’s legacy and praised the moment. Then she was reprimanded. The reprimand did not have unanimous support. All of the dissenting council members feel they have permission to praise or even orchestrate protest in City Council’s chambers. After Gold brought the reprimand to media, public concern was expressed that the reprimand might be a political retaliation against dissenting voices. Which is ridiculous. No council operates without dissent. This week Councilmember Gold said she was unable to secure enough support to place a Black History Month Resolution on the agenda. Others on council worked to set up a “Resolution of Recognition,” scheduled for a Feb. 10th vote. Gold, who learned of the resolution through a media inquiry, welcomed the development. Just a few weeks ago, Council issued a joint MLK proclamation with Mayor Yemi Mobolade. But after being demonized by the protesters at that joint proclamation, the mayor’s office plans to issue a separate Black History Month proclamation instead. Together these events reveal a troubling local issue. Recognition of Black history is no longer automatic or protected. It can be redirected by protesters who want attention for themselves. This is standard mode of operation for activism. When a group is perpetually outvoted, frustration and a sense of powerlessness can creep in. This is the case for both errant council members and community activists, who see their priorities as being ignored. However, they are opting to attack the system rather than working within it. We can look forward to regularly disrupted proceedings, the activists hoping that spectacle will compensate for their lack of influence. Don’t get it twisted. I’m not against dissent. The Black community is not monolithic. Disagreement within the Black community is normal. And healthy. But this conflict isn’t about Black history – the same way it wasn’t about MLK a few weeks. It never was. Council member Gold did not assist in setting up the MLK proclamation. Or attend any of the MLK events. Neither did Donelson. There is a difference between principled protest that seeks to highlight injustice and disruptive antics that undermine the very institutions meant to serve the community. The line between the two is always clear. We must tell the truth when the pursuit of attention eclipses the pursuit of justice. Like at the MLK proclamation. Just like we wouldn’t tolerate someone hijacking a wedding or a funeral, we shouldn’t tolerate the hijacking of MLK, Black History Month, or Juneteenth. Some moments are not available to repurpose. Dr. King’s legacy requires more discipline about who gets the floor. He himself once said: “Our means must be as pure as our ends.” I hope that the Black History Resolution goes better than the MLK proclamation.   Rachel Stovall is an event manager, entertainer and community advocate. ...read more read less