Dear History. For too long I have been angry. Sad. Disillusioned because of you. I was told, and believed, that America would cradle my dreams. That I had nothing to fear. That if I did it all right, I would reap the rewards. So I did. I went to school. I excelled. I worked so hard. And then it just got harder. And harder. And harder.
I have had so little to believe in these last 8 years. A failed marriage. Lost jobs. Financial heartache. Health problems with no solution. I've never even been close to buying a house. The recession has been a reality for me for a long time. I had to choose between ramen for the kids or a doctor's visit. I pay dearly now for health problems I could not afford then.
I was angry in 2000, heartbroken in 2004. Scared. And so angry.
There was Katrina. Here. In America. We let a city, a community, drown to death. How did that ever happen? How could we LET THAT HAPPEN?
My friends went to the war. Some came back, but none came back ever the same. Like so much cannon fodder, their lives were as meaningless to you as mine.
Dear History. For my adult life, you have been written for me. Until now. Now, I am taking the pen away. I am hitting the pavement and picking up the phone and opening my very shabby wallet. Because I have to. Because I'm taking my voice back.
Saul Williams is one of my favorite artists/spoken word poets. He is intoxicating in his delivery and profound in his lyricism. I want to share this video with you.
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Dear History,
I beat you. I stand a generator of generations bearing witness to a world that we are holding accountable for past actions. Me and my friends, we're changing our diets, re-inventing marriage, check-mating capitalism, re-defining ethics, replacing cruelty with compassion, and have sworn not to re-elect the sins of the father.
We are casting our votes for so much more than a lesser of evils, but for change, and greater insight, for wisdom out of the mouths of babes, for races that bleed into ONE.
Dear History,
You are behind us and we are no longer looking back. We are standing on the threshold of new times, new days, new worlds, and charging forward without battle cry or trumpet, while cynicism, apathy, and cowardice take their place beside you, behind us.
Dear History,
We no longer believe in you. We have invested our our thoughts and dreams into the present moment and opportunity to shift our reality into one that does not resemble your dog-eared books.
We stand on the shoulders of those who have dared to dream and on the necks of those who have wasted their time and ours proclaiming a past past its prime
And remember this one? If you haven't seen it, you should. Warning: some language. :)
Obama '08 - Vote For Hope from MC Yogi on Vimeo.
And one of my all time favorites:
There is no hyperbole in the profound gravity of this moment.
Thank you to this community, to all people in this country and around the world who believe in the power of us. Yes, We Can. Yes, We Will. Yes, We Are. Stand, and let us be so proud. What inspires you? What makes you hit the pavement? What makes you pick up the phone? What makes you STFIL? Add your own. Be inspired.