My thoughts. My words. Re_elimu

Today I had to say a speech in front of a crowded room of unfamiliar faces. My heart was beating so fast, I wanted to run away. As i sat in my seat and prepared to speak, I prayed and reminded myself why I was in the very seat I sat in and what I stood for. A quote from June Jordan came to mind about a poets job to articulate what people feel and to give voice to the experiences of silenced communities. Then, I thought about my friends, community members, and my students, many of which who would not have the honor of sitting where I sat. At that moment I remembered how and why I got to that very place. I reminded myself of the duty I had to let my voice be heard and I feared regretting my silence and allowing it to “imprison” me (in the words of Audre Lorde). My heart stop beating and I approached that podium with purpose. 

To my elders and ancestors, 

Thank you.