Gandalf: Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay.
Tiya. Thanks so much for your thoughtful post. I was especially heartened by your institution's decision to push back, in spite of "the error". I also appreciate your pictures of spring flowers and remarks about the conversations in The Yard. It is time for courage, not complacency, and recognition of the importance of timing. I look forward to your words. But most importantly, no one is alone and we need one another's support. You certainly have mine!
We need not look far to see courage. Courage happens in our families and our communities every day, though not often recognized as such. There were times when our ancestors showed profound courage. Liz Chaney, John Lewis, Aleksei Navalny, Daniel Ellsberg, James Comey, Colin Kaepernick—these we remember for their political and social courage. Then there are the acts of courage and grace, unheralded and enacted by the unfamous, that inspire us to band together for the common good, right wrongs, change for the better individually, and create collective power to counter tyranny. I wrote A Day for Marching on my Substack page about my failures in courage, where privilege makes it unnecessary. I could give in, be complacent, rest on my privilege, and not accept any responsibility. Or I could use my limited power and join others who set fear aside and move forward. Truthfully, I am not feeling so courageous now, not powerful, not assured that my voice makes a difference. Yet I know I am not alone here; my courage draws from others. Take my hand and help me take the next step forward. In frightful times like these, we really need each other.
I’m reminded of Maya Angelou’s statement that “courage is the most important all the virtues.” Nothing good will last without the courage to make it so. Alas, courage is in short supply in both the Republican and Democratic party leadership. This past week I honored a long past passed ancestor in St. Paul AME church in Madison, Georgia, the Flemister's ancestral home. Across time and space, my ancestors steel me for the battles to come. If they could endure, so shall I.
Gandalf: Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay.
Love this!
Tiya. Thanks so much for your thoughtful post. I was especially heartened by your institution's decision to push back, in spite of "the error". I also appreciate your pictures of spring flowers and remarks about the conversations in The Yard. It is time for courage, not complacency, and recognition of the importance of timing. I look forward to your words. But most importantly, no one is alone and we need one another's support. You certainly have mine!
We need not look far to see courage. Courage happens in our families and our communities every day, though not often recognized as such. There were times when our ancestors showed profound courage. Liz Chaney, John Lewis, Aleksei Navalny, Daniel Ellsberg, James Comey, Colin Kaepernick—these we remember for their political and social courage. Then there are the acts of courage and grace, unheralded and enacted by the unfamous, that inspire us to band together for the common good, right wrongs, change for the better individually, and create collective power to counter tyranny. I wrote A Day for Marching on my Substack page about my failures in courage, where privilege makes it unnecessary. I could give in, be complacent, rest on my privilege, and not accept any responsibility. Or I could use my limited power and join others who set fear aside and move forward. Truthfully, I am not feeling so courageous now, not powerful, not assured that my voice makes a difference. Yet I know I am not alone here; my courage draws from others. Take my hand and help me take the next step forward. In frightful times like these, we really need each other.
I’m reminded of Maya Angelou’s statement that “courage is the most important all the virtues.” Nothing good will last without the courage to make it so. Alas, courage is in short supply in both the Republican and Democratic party leadership. This past week I honored a long past passed ancestor in St. Paul AME church in Madison, Georgia, the Flemister's ancestral home. Across time and space, my ancestors steel me for the battles to come. If they could endure, so shall I.
Yes! Thank you for sharing this, April.
This is beautiful and essential. Thank you, Tiya.