"My Week at SCLC" by 20-year-old Black Voices Blogger, Robert Hoggard

The following was written by Robert Hoggard for Huff Po's, BlackVoices.com.  Robert writes about his week spent at SCLC headquarters.

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) taught me many things about carrying the torch of social justice. The many words and meetings that I was able to attend will forever serve as a catalyst for my continued efforts to be the best activist possible in a world full of hidden racism, blatant sexism, and many other senseless isms that prevent equal opportunity. As I planned to become more involved in civil rights organizations, I was not sure which group should receive the most of my attention and involvement. I researched the National Action Network, Rainbow/P.U.S.H Coalition, National Urban League, N.A.A.C.P and others. They are all great organizations. However, I learned that Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson and many other activists would not be who they are today without the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which was started by one of the nation's foremost civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

As Rev. Dr. C.T Vivian knew that I was starting a new chapter of the SCLC at American Baptist College, he told me, "They all need to know black history as it relates to America's racist history." I can not count how many blacks that don't embrace their history today. Many blacks are bamboozled into thinking that we live in a "post-racial society."

Read the full article at our sister site, BlackVoices.com