Last fall, I had the honor of speaking at the Howard University School of Law Pinning Ceremony. My remarks centered the importance of HBCUs, finding community, and how these spaces equip their graduates to change the world.
Though my speech centered historically Black colleges and universities, I believe this is a moment for us to find strength in the organizations that have long been instrumental to the struggle for civil rights. This includes our schools, labor unions, churches, professional organizations, lodges, public interest organizations, alumni groups, mutual aid societies, and all of the spaces where we have gathered, organized, debated, found common ground, and pushed this country to make good on its promises of equal justice for all.
There is a lot of useful and necessary information available about companies and organizations that are rolling back the clock on our hard won civil rights. Let’s also prioritize the organizations that have, and will continue to, fortify us for the fights ahead.
None of our institutions are perfect. None. Of. Them. But I am infinitely thankful to be a graduate of Howard University, a member of my church, and to be in community with writers, artists, thinkers, and advocates deeply committed to liberation and justice work.
Coretta Scott King once said,
“Struggle is a never ending process. Freedom is never really won, you earn it and win it in every generation.”
Onward, Beloveds. Let us build and fortify communities dedicated to our generation of the freedom struggle.
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