Freedom & Community
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Not many words today
Seem available
To me.
Perhaps these
Two words
Might
Speak
All
We
Need?
Freedom
&
Community.
They
Communicate
Much.
First—
Freedom?
What does
That even
Mean?
Ella
Baker
Said,
“We who believe
in freedom
cannot rest.
We who believe
In freedom
Cannot rest
Until it
Comes.”
~~~
Well-said,
No?
Ella Baker?
How is it
That I
Have never
Heard of her?
Have you?
Here is a
Powerful
Piece,
Black History
In
Two
Minutes:
~~~
This song was written from the actual words of one of Ella’s speeches, by Bernice Johnson Reagon of Sweet Honey in the Rock and sung by that magical group:
~~~
Ella’s Song
Lyrics and music by Bernice Johnson Reagon
Sung by Sweet Honey in the Rock
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 me
To 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 tyranny
Struggling 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
~~~
Here’s another word:
Community.
A
Container
of
Safety.
A
Holding
By
Like-minded,
Like-hearted
Folks.
Unconditional.
Support
For
Practice.
Yes—
But,
Here’s
The
Issue:
My community,
My communities,
My Kripalu people,
My 12 Step people,
Are all
Pretty
Much
Like
Me.
We
Think
Mostly
The same.
We
Look
Mostly
The same.
How can we
Expand,
How can we
Widen
Our
Communities
To
Include
Everybody?
This is
Indeed
The
Question
Of
The
Moment.
~~~
I offer this video about community in good faith. It represents the impact, the influence, the support we of all species can offer one another.
This video about animals. By no means do I intend to trivialize the deeper questions I ask about expanding our circles, opening our hearts, finding ways to connect to all people. By no means. The animals in this video show us so much intuitive brilliance. I have been profoundly touched by them.
Perhaps they have something to teach us.
~~~
Freedom
&
Community.
What do they mean to you?
Where are you met and accepted?
Might being met and accepted,
Be another
Definition
Of freedom?
Do we need community
To be free?
It certainly does—
Help.
~~~
Dear Friends,
May we find
Freedom
In the
Moment.
May we
Be held
In the hearts
Of others.
Be safe.
Be well.
Ride those waves.
To be continued,
One breath at a time.
All Blessings,
Aruni