"From Civil Rights to Human Rights"

"Given ongoing white resistance and the sad realities of America's current partisan politics, African-American leaders and civil rights activists cannot continue to rely only on change from within. As Malcolm X once urged them to do, they might have to find support among, and make common cause with, the international community—as he put it, 'human rights are a precondition for civil rights.' This approach does not guarantee success, but it at least offers hope. History suggests that only when our policymakers and national leaders conclude that the mistreatment of African-Americans is harmful to America’s interests in the world will we see meaningful progress in civil rights here at home. Until then, sadly, we can expect more tragedies such as that of Michael Brown."


Moshik Temkin in The Nation reminds Americans of how people internationally observe racial issues in the United States.