In my effort to work my way back to writing in these trying times, I'm reading as much poetry as I can. Today I turned back to Woke: A Young Poet's Call to Justice by Mahogany L. Browne with Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood, illustrated by Theodore Taylor III. In the Foreword, Jason Reynolds calls the book "a collection of proclamations" that tell young people "to talk back, to speak up, to connect with the fortifying elements outside of them, as well as those that exist within."
I found it fortifying, too.
In "Activism, Everywhere," Mahogany L. Browne urges us to stand together to speak up against mistreatment: "We are standing tall and firm because we believe in equity and equality."
"What's in my Toolbox?" by Olivia Gatwood reminds us,
If we have privilege, we must listen.
When we understand each other, we can build a house that fits everyone.
In "Rock the Boat," Elizabeth Acevedo describes the nagging feeling you might get "when you know someone has done / or said something unjust" and tells us,
Even if it doesn't feel easy,
Rock the boat. Rock the boat.
I'm doing my best to rock the boat: Calling my representatives, writing postcards to voters, distributing Card Campaign cards, attending rallies, marching, and yelling. (And yelling!)
These poems are timely, important, empowering reminders to speak up against injustice. We need them now.
Today's Poetry Friday Roundup is at Dare to Care. Enjoy!
