Victory, after forty six years.
This happened last night. This is for the children.
It is for the grand children. This is the victory
of the Movement. This is the victory of SNCC.
What were they fighting for? Not just integration.
Not even justice and the right to vote.
They did not use the word Hope. I never heard “hope”
spoken. I did hear the word “Dream”.
“It was like I died and went to Heaven and it was
integrated there.”
Heaven, that is a word I heard.
SNCC was fighting for heaven on earth here in America.
SNCC was fighting for equality in jobs, in income, not only for
Black folk, but for all folks.
Many are dead who lead this fight. James Forman is dead.
He led us all. Sam Shirah is dead. He was a white boy from
Alabama, who they picked out and spit on, always,
He was a “nigger lover.” So was I for that matter.
Nigger lover and proud of it.
And now this, this victory.
It took forty-six years.
I was twenty. That’s how old I was. Everyone was young.
June Johnson is dead. She was fifteen.
This is for everyone. This is for the children. This is forever.
This is amazing.
November 4, 2008
December 3, 2008 at 5:09 am |
yes, and yes again. a minimal and wonderful comment i heard reported on the night of the election, from an elder women, i think in Atlanta: she said, “I’ve only got four words for this: Glory Hallelujah, Glory Hallelujah!” that about sums it up. now the hard work continues and begins anew. ¡si, se puede!