Early in the 20th century, Kelly Miller, a significant African-American scholar and activist, frequently used his writing to make social commentary. In one of his noteworthy reflections, he discussed a historical event that both highlighted deeper challenges and marked significant progress.

Miller was alluding to the end of World War I, when the Allied forces advanced into Sedan, France. This site was especially significant because, during the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, Prussian forces defeated French troops here. The Allies' conquest of Sedan represented a return to French soil and a step toward the war's conclusion.

Miller compared this historic military triumph to advancements in other fields, particularly civil rights for African Americans in the US, in his commentary. African American communities were battling systemic racism and inequality, much like the Allied forces had fought to reach a crucial point during the war. While the advance into Sedan represented a significant accomplishment, it also made clear that much more needed to be done.

Miller's analogy serves as a reminder that although accomplishing important objectives is reason for celebration, the continuous fight for real equality and justice should not be obscured. Overcoming one type of discrimination does not mean that the battle against more significant societal problems is over, much like overcoming a significant obstacle in a war does not mean that all battles are won.