It has been 60 years since the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. I remember being in college, joining with students from Virginia Union University and elsewhere, advocating for the legislation and registering voters in Richmond.

I met and became friends with Free Press co-founder Ray Boone during this period, when he was the new editor of the Richmond Afro-American and a bold voice for progress. His idealism speaks to us today.

Though we’ve always had adversaries and setbacks, the United States has made tremendous progress tearing down the most obvious, the most bald-faced examples of racial bigotry and discrimination. More opportunity and more diversity have meant a better America.

I believe that any future forward movement for human rights in our country now depends on those of us at the grassroots. We must press our leaders everywhere, but particularly those in politics, to honestly assess this upcoming federal election.

Be kind, appreciate the past service of party leaders, but objectively choose a winning Democratic nominee against Donald Trump.

The larger electorate we are part of is looking for fresh, energetic leadership — not unlike the situation in 1960, when the country chose John F. Kennedy. It could be Vice President Kamala Harris, it could be Govs. Gretchen Whitmer or Josh Shapiro, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg or one of several members of the United States Congress.

But progressives can and must win in November. We can find a way to do it. The stakes are too high not to give it our absolute best.

Ben Ragsdale

Richmond