The Revolution

Gone. Seek not for them here. We’ve banished complacency and sidestepped our fear. Although weighed down by sorrows amassed by misfortunes, misjudgments, and prejudices forged in the past, we’ve steeled our nerves at last and climbed our mountain of tears. In this new dawn we’ve risen with hope for tomorrow by starting today to make sure that change in a positive way is happening around us. And though many may attempt to confound us they will find us resilient to their utter derangement. We will be firm in our open estrangement of any that strive to tell us all lives have been given fair chances. Our steps will become leaps and bounds as we take our advances. And under no circumstances will we allow that a force of any kind slow us down. We will round up any and all willing to be called an ally and cry forth with one voice, with one heart. We will each do our part to assure beyond doubt that the future be bright for this nation and her people. That this land may be peaceful and open to all who yearn to leave a positive mark. This spark has ignited a fire that will grow into a conflagration, spread the expanse of this vast nation and refuse to be doused, put out, or go dark. Rather burn brightly so all may see it and know, this place we call home, is safe no matter your race or your color. No matter who you choose to love or who you choose to be. One day we will all get along with each other. Our children can grow old in a different world. One with less hatred, less anger, and one with less hurt. One where their safety comes first no matter who is in office. And though we can never fully atone for the horrific losses that families have had to endure, we can change the future and make sure to learn from our past. We are not afraid of failure because we understand it is the only path to success. We will test fate again and again and our best efforts will be victorious overall in the end. So to those who oppose this age of equality go search with ferocity the fearful who will not stand with their fist held high. Search for those willing to sit idly by as countless innocent people lay down their lives as they try to survive the hardship of simply living in this day and age. And if you are upset by our rage that is understandable. But we ask that you muster forth in the very least a commendable attempt to comprehend the severity of the issue. We only wish you to see us as humans as well. Human rights should not be something politicians can barter or sell in hopes to be elected. They should not need be demanded but rather expected and granted to all who have not forfeited freedom by crime or by treason. There should not be a reason that this be debated. So many races, and people, orientations feel jaded because they have waited and worked for something they were promised since birth and many places all over our Earth Mother have been able to offer these most basic of rights to blacks, straights, gays, and to whites at no difference of cost. But here, in the land of the free, some pay for these with gunshots to the back. Some pay with their life as they walk home from the store getting snacks. Some pay in their sleep, killed while laying in bed. And will continue to pay until there is justice for the dead. Some pay on the ground devoid of even the slightest speck of respect with knees on the neck until breath can’t be drawn and they’re gone with dying thoughts of their mom, as their children watch on choking back sobs. Do not tell me the cop was just doing their job. I have sat in the passenger seat of the car, been asked to search the glove box for an insurance card. And been alarmed by the reaction of the officer present who reached for his weapon within thirty seconds of me doing nothing but the task he had asked. I had to slowly return my hands to where they’re normally at, in plain sight, fingers wide on the dash. And yes. These things happen because I am black. So if truly you hope to make America great, do not conflate the problems with the solutions, do not fixate yourself on newsrooms’ oral pollution, do not abrogate rights promised by this land's constitution, rather demonstrate your love and stand with this revolution. I hope only to arbitrate and guide amidst the confusion, so if you do not believe that we can find common ground and work together towards positive reformation then you have nothing to gain from my words henceforth. If it’s friendship, support, or acceptance you search, seek not for them here. We have banished complacency and sidestepped our fear. Our voices will ring through the rocks of our Earth Mother. We will unite and be one as sisters and brothers, friends and lovers, we will rise up and lift each other. We will join forces and tether ourselves in the name of true freedom to weather the formation of storm clouds that will attempt to rain down on and douse our movement that is spreading like a wall of flames. Together we will fight until the hills are ablaze with our victorious cries, with our cheer, with our laughter. And after, to prevent that history repeat, this feat will live on indefinitely. We will forever and always remember the hate we were able to shatter. And it will forever be known that regardless of color, orientation, and all other discriminations, we have a right to be human, and duly be treated. It will forever be known after our foes have conceded, that we are not beneath or below anyone on this globe. We won’t have to debate it, or explain it, but rather, with fist to the sky, cry, we do truly matter.