A Message from the President

As I prepare to welcome the Sixty-third Annual Convention of the Association of Social and Behavioral Scientists to Montgomery, Alabama, I must do two things. First, I must express my appreciation to Dr. John Moland, our Local Arrangements Committee Chairperson, for inviting us to convene in this historic city. Secondly, I thank Dr. Donald Cunnigen, our Program Chairperson, for our conference theme, "The Struggle for Civil Rights: Still an American Dilemma," which is so aptly appropriate for this time and this place.

As I focus on the theme and the civil rights history of Montgomery, I am extremely reminiscent of my first visit to the Civil Rights Monument in this city. Even though that visit took place over fifteen years ago, I can still recall the overwhelming spirituality, the saintliness and the solemnity that existed at that site. I am reminded of the heart-wrenching pain that I felt as my fingers traced over the names of those who gave their lives in the cause of freedom, justice and equality for African Americans. Reflectively, as the tears flowed from my eyes, I can remember my agony, my pain being replaced by serenity as the soothing waters flowed from the stone onto my fingertips; and my eyes listed to read the words "Let justice roll down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream..."

As I review and analyze the significance of the legacy that has been passed on to us, "The Keepers of the Dream," I am deeply saddened that too much is being lost and too little is being gained. We are losing hard-won ground if we fail to realize that there is still a need for affirmative action. This could be interpreted as unfair "reverse discrimination"; but without affirmative action, can African Americans depend upon fairness from a system that has never been truly fair-without definitive laws and practices?

We are losing hard-won ground if we fail to realize that equal justice under the law too often means "just-us." This is evidenced by the fact that so many Black males are being incarcerated for unjustified lengths of time.

We are losing hard-won ground if we fail to realize that neighborhood schools have the potential of "Separate-But-Equal" schools.

We are losing hard-won ground if we fail to realize that the so-called "Fair Tax" proposal, that is seeking support through the national media, would shift the higher incidence of taxation from the have’s to the have not’s.

Too many lives have been lost to gain this ground. Hard-won ground must never be given up!

As I consider the role that we can play in the continuing struggle for civil rights, I will not suggest that we all become activists; but I will suggest that we commit or re-commit ourselves to becoming civil rights advocates. The premise upon which the Association of Social and Behavioral Scientists was founded--and the commitment of the founders-- was to improve the conditions of Black people. This is the heritage of this organization. This is the legacy that the membership has been charged to keep. This is not a difficult commitment; we must simply remember to perpetuate it.

As social scientists, we have the training and tools to detect the civil rights issues that are inherent in our social and economic institutions; and we have the forums to educate and inform people of all races as it related to civil rights issues. We can not afford complacency; because too many lives have been given in the struggle for civil rights. We must continue their efforts to resolve this American Dilemma.

Welcome to Montgomery, Sixty-third ASBS Annual Conference!

Patricia McGill-Tillman

ASBS President, 1997-98

Jackson State University

Jackson, Mississippi