Sis Deb, these are daunting times that remain cyclic. Thought a lot about you and wondered what your thoughts were when the spotlight was on the Mother Emanuel 9 in Charleston. I kept thinking of Baldwin's quote "I can't afford despair" although it was in the shadows and continues to be a presence that I struggle against. Your homage to Madiba's 70th birthday celebration featuring Tracy Chapman who,{btw} captured the moment and was on point.
I also noticed that you think well of Ta-Nehisi Coates as do I. He, Mychal Denzel Smith, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, Opal Tometi and others are taking the torches and moving on for they are participating as the catalysts for grass root movements. I'm hopeful that established leaders will be supportive and be o.k. as consultants if needed but not deterrents. As Ella Baker maintained that "give light and people will find the way" and "strong people don't need strong leaders". Peace to you.
Oh, Sis. Carolyn!!!! I apologize I totally missed your comment here! Could be that July 31st was my 59th birthday and the husband came up to spend it with me.😃 Wasn't tryin' to do ANYTHING but be enveloped in the love I really, really needed since I moved back home!
I've really been struggling to writeTHAT post about Walter Scott, the Mother Emanuel 9, the local NAACP & NAN Chapters as well as the Black Lives Matter Charleston movements but, unlike Mr. Baldwin, I fell into despair (and am STILL struggling against it!!).
Yes, I think Ta-Nehisi Coates, as well as the others you mentioned, "are taking the torches and moving on for they are participating as the catalysts for grass root movements."
As you said, "I'm hopeful that established leaders will be supportive and be o.k. as consultants if needed but not deterrents." I've been trying to be that, but it's hard, Sister.
Like you and Ella Baker, I believe -- "give light and people will find the way" and "strong people don't need strong leaders".
Happy Belated Birthday Sis Deb and I'm glad that you were with the one you love! :-). Yep it's hard not to despair and there is something about the Sandra Bland incident that has gotten to me and along with these other murders that seem to escalate. The Justice Dept. is slower than a snail's ass and it's hard to feel hopeful. I guess with Sandra, the voice mail she left her mother when she arrived in Texas reminded me of my daughters and getting those messages when they left home to pursue careers in other states. It just tore me up. Take care!
3 comments:
Sis Deb, these are daunting times that remain cyclic. Thought a lot about you and wondered what your thoughts were when the spotlight was on the Mother Emanuel 9 in Charleston. I kept thinking of Baldwin's quote "I can't afford despair" although it was in the shadows and continues to be a presence that I struggle against. Your homage to Madiba's 70th birthday celebration featuring Tracy Chapman who,{btw} captured the moment and was on point.
I also noticed that you think well of Ta-Nehisi Coates as do I. He, Mychal Denzel Smith, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, Opal Tometi and others are taking the torches and moving on for they are participating as the catalysts for grass root movements. I'm hopeful that established leaders will be supportive and be o.k. as consultants if needed but not deterrents. As Ella Baker maintained that "give light and people will find the way" and "strong people don't need strong leaders". Peace to you.
Oh, Sis. Carolyn!!!! I apologize I totally missed your comment here! Could be that July 31st was my 59th birthday and the husband came up to spend it with me.😃 Wasn't tryin' to do ANYTHING but be enveloped in the love I really, really needed since I moved back home!
I've really been struggling to writeTHAT post about Walter Scott, the Mother Emanuel 9, the local NAACP & NAN Chapters as well as the Black Lives Matter Charleston movements but, unlike Mr. Baldwin, I fell into despair (and am STILL struggling against it!!).
Yes, I think Ta-Nehisi Coates, as well as the others you mentioned, "are taking the torches and moving on for they are participating as the catalysts for grass root movements."
As you said, "I'm hopeful that established leaders will be supportive and be o.k. as consultants if needed but not deterrents." I've been trying to be that, but it's hard, Sister.
Like you and Ella Baker, I believe -- "give light and people will find the way" and "strong people don't need strong leaders".
Peace right back atcha, Sister....
Happy Belated Birthday Sis Deb and I'm glad that you were with the one you love! :-). Yep it's hard not to despair and there is something about the Sandra Bland incident that has gotten to me and along with these other murders that seem to escalate. The Justice Dept. is slower than a snail's ass and it's hard to feel hopeful. I guess with Sandra, the voice mail she left her mother when she arrived in Texas reminded me of my daughters and getting those messages when they left home to pursue careers in other states. It just tore me up. Take care!
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