Today, we stay the course…
We who believe in freedom cannot rest!
We mourn, we cry, we yell and we scream. But most importantly, we continue our collective struggle. The great outcome of this latest tragedy in Ferguson, Missouri, and there have absolutely been other tragedies since, is that there are more and more people - young people especially - who are clearer than ever about the racism that permeates the governing and media institutions in this country. And they have the courage, energy and the vision that it takes to advance the struggle. What they don't know about the past, they can and will learn. But that passion and desire for freedom and justice will not fade. And that will carry us forward.
This truism remains consistent for us... We who believe in freedom cannot - and will not - rest until it comes!
Many thanks to Sweet Honey and the Rock for their gift that keeps on giving.
We who believe in freedom cannot rest We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes
Until the killing of black men, black mothers' sons Is as important as the killing of white men, white mothers' sons
That which touches me most is that I had a chance to work with people
Passing on to others that which was passed on to meTo me young people come first, they have the courage where we fail And if I can but shed some light as they carry us through the gale
The older I get the better I know that the secret of my going on Is when the reins are in the hands of the young, who dare to run against the storm
Not needing to clutch for power, not needing the light just to shine on me
I need to be one in the number as we stand against tyrannyStruggling myself don't mean a whole lot, I've come to realize That teaching others to stand up and fight is the only way my struggle survives
I'm a woman who speaks in a voice and I must be heard At times I can be quite difficult, I'll bow to no man's word
We who believe in freedom cannot rest We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes
We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest: Ella’s Song
On this special day, as we remember the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington, I offer this moving performance of Ella's Song by Sweet Honey in the Rock as a reminder that 'we who believe in freedom cannot rest'! The lyrics follow, just below.
I also offer this as a tribute to the spirit of Ella Baker, and the many countless women whose consistent and persistent voices, perspectives and actions anchored the activism of the civil rights movement, and indeed our unending determination to reclaim our way in a strange land.
As you reflect throughout the day today, know that our struggle for justice continues, and that it transcends time and space. In our continuing struggle we both honor our ancestors, and demonstrate our commitment to our generations yet unborn. Step by step, and day by day, we stay the course...
We who believe in freedom cannot rest We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes
Until the killing of black men, black mothers' sons Is as important as the killing of white men, white mothers' sons
That which touches me most is that I had a chance to work with people
Passing on to others that which was passed on to meTo me young people come first, they have the courage where we fail And if I can but shed some light as they carry us through the gale
The older I get the better I know that the secret of my going on Is when the reins are in the hands of the young, who dare to run against the storm
Not needing to clutch for power, not needing the light just to shine on me
I need to be one in the number as we stand against tyrannyStruggling myself don't mean a whole lot, I've come to realize That teaching others to stand up and fight is the only way my struggle survives
I'm a woman who speaks in a voice and I must be heard At times I can be quite difficult, I'll bow to no man's word
We who believe in freedom cannot rest We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes
Background
- About Oronde Miller
- Book Table of Contents
- Oronde’s Book: Facing The Rising Sun
- a black love music celebration
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- Happy Kwanzaa – Umoja – Unity December 26, 2018
- THE JOURNEY: “Between the World and Ta-Nehisi Coates” March 17, 2016
- Oprah and Detroit’s Own Shaka Senghor — Full Episode on Supersoul Sunday March 13, 2016
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Civil Rights and Apartheid South Africa – December 7, 1964 in London February 24, 2016
- The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution — TV Premier Tonight at 9 p.m. EST on PBS February 16, 2016
- Black Love, 2016 February 14, 2016
- Notes and Reflections on Mother Earth: Thich Nhat Hanh – Ancient Wisdom Lives January 8, 2016
- Turns Out Monkey Bars And Kickball Might Be Good For The Brain: Old Knowledge Always Returns January 7, 2016
- Professor John Henrik Clarke: A Life in Search of Africa, and Her People Throughout the World January 1, 2016
- Kwanzaa 2015 / IMANI – Faith January 1, 2016
- Kwanzaa 2015 / KUUMBA – Creativity December 31, 2015
- Kwanzaa 2015 / NIA – Purpose December 30, 2015
- Kwanzaa 2015 / UJAMAA – Cooperative Economics December 29, 2015
- Kwanzaa 2015 / UJIMA – Collective Work & Responsibility December 28, 2015
- Exemplar of Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): Professor John Henrik Clarke – A Great and Mighty Walk December 27, 2015
- Kwanzaa 2015 / KUJICHAGULIA – Self-Determination December 27, 2015
- Kwanzaa 2015 / UMOJA – Unity December 26, 2015
- Kwanzaa: Understanding the History and Context of a Community Celebration December 26, 2015
- Reflections on Malcolm X December 22, 2015
- Timely Speaking — James Baldwin, 1968: “I can conclude what white people think and feel from the state of their institutions…” December 14, 2015
Months in Review
Blogroll
- Ask a Woman Who Knows
- Colorlines.org – Listing of Colorlines Blogs
- Jaiya John / Soulwater Rising
- Kevin Powell's Blog
- Kirwan Institute – Staff Blogs
- Marian Wright Edelman's Child Watch Column
- National Coalition for Child Protection Reform
- New Black Man – Mark Anthony Neal
- Policy for Results Blog
- PolicyLink – EquityBlog
- Ta-Nehisi Coates
- The Hutchinson Report
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