The first step in solving any problem is the acknowledgement that the problem exists.

A headache may cause you to reach for an aspirin, and a toothache may facilitate a visit to the dentist. When discomforts are ignored some problems seem to fester, and at times become worse. Relief is only accomplished when some sort of action has taken place.

There are many who hold the opinion that the election of President Obama, a man of color, to the highest office in this land, would mark the end of racial strife in this country. Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream was thought to have been fulfilled and the promise land had been reached. Opportunities once denied were now are obtainable by any and all who would put forth the effort to achieve.

Employment opportunities would be in abundance. Quality schools would be available to provide world class educations to all. We were to be living in a world and community of good and plenty. The world that we live in is not Utopia. War, famine, unemployment and a downturn in the economy have forced some to resurrect the vestiges of the past. Too many lives have recently been lost, as it was so many years ago, by the hands of those who had sworn to protect and serve.

The year — 2015 — marks the 50th anniversary of a period in American history where peaceful protests to overcome oppression were met with violent opposition. There was a deep racial divide in this country. The Civil Rights Movement had at its core the desire to right many wrongs. Today, there is an exhibit on display at the Historic Natchez Foundation of images of the courageous who stepped forward, while others were thinking backwards. You are encouraged to pay them a visit.

In June 2014, graduate students from the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program of the University of Florida visited Natchez to research and document the stories of our community’s Civil Rights history.

Their findings will be presented and discussed on Thursday, June 18, at 5:30 pm at the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture at 301 Main Street. There are many who have become color blind regarding issues pertaining to race. But the blind cannot see. There are still many decisions that are being made where race is still a major determining factor in our nation. We now must advocate color sensitivity, and not color blindness. Your presence is hereby requested for this important community discussion. We would like to offer you the awareness to become a part of the solution, and not a continuing part of the problem.

Darrell White is director of the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture.