” A youth that does not cultivate friendship with the elderly is like a tree without roots”- African Proverb
On August 26, 2023 marked the 60th Anniversary of the Martin Luther King Jr. 1963 March on Washington and At 34 years old, I felt rerooted amongst my elders as a member of People’s Organization for Progress(P.O.P) as road the bus to Washington D.C in honor of our ancestor and that moment in American and Black history. On the flyer for this event, it inscribed, ” Not a Commemoration.. A Continuation” which gave it great purpose, pride , and perserverance.
As bills are bought to congress and senate, to further water down American Black History, we road the bus currently to stand as human mascots for justice. We road the bus signifying in sharing of a great belief that , “An injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere”- MLK.
I listened and shared moments with leaders from all over the nation and listened to great ones speak on this day. More must be done. I need to do more and be more again. Elders shared laughter and stories of earlier oppression while connected today in the oppression black people face today. Moving forward , it is all relative and relevant. Racism is relevant. The need to congregate in the black and community love is relevant. The work for equality and equity is relevant. My voice is relevant. It is more relevant today than it ever has been.