As I pour through every #JamesBaldwin essay/interview I can find (starting with Collected Essays)—I want to share some of his hauntingly prophetic quotes
“It is certain, in any case, that ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.”
“It is certain, in any case, that ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.”
1) Another #JamesBaldwin quote. This one is for my daughters, nieces and nephews:
“The world is before you and you need not take it or leave it as it was when you came in.”
What if....
“The world is before you and you need not take it or leave it as it was when you came in.”
What if....
2) What if.....we also used this as a rallying cry for every American on her or his 65th bday: Commit to spend as much time as you’re able to using your OWN skills/powers, hard-fought learnings including painful mistakes—to make this country—authentically just and ensure that...
3)...every American regardless of their race, gender, sexual preferences and age (ageism is REAL) has the EQUAL chance—not just to survive in this world—but to thrive. This is not “magic wand” thinking. This will require a combination of....
4)...citizen-focused policy-making, legislation, public protests and identification of inequalities large and small, national culture of service, EMPATHY, and most importantly—VOTING.
5) The ultimate and most effective act of defiance and drive for change is to vote. We have the power to prevent those who will not dedicate their lives to guaranteeing every American their rights—from holding office.
6) Protestors have literally risked their lives with #COVID19 to drive change. If we don’t vote, their illness and death will have been in vain. We no longer have to live under the tyranny of false trade-offs. We can make 2020 matter in ways we never thought possible.
We can make #2020vision a reality.
