The election of Scott Colom as the first black Senator from Mississippi in more than 150 years is the culmination of black organization efforts across the State, led by the NAACP. Of course, it was also the result of Colom's willingness to directly interact with Mississippians who, having voted for Trump, now despise his corruption and his destructive economic policies.
Facing the overt racism of the Trump Administration, the attack on voting rights by the Supreme Court, gerrymandering by Republicans and an inadequate infusion of funds from the National Democratic Party, the black citizens of Mississippi took control, exerting the power of their numbers.
Honoring all who were killed in the long struggle for civil rights in that State, Scott Colom's victory will hopefully proved to be a major turning point. One's race should never define their qualification to pursue justice and freedom for all citizens.
