Pontheolla and I, as another of our personal-and-couple’s engagements in Black History Month, attended Conversations About Race hosted by Marjorie Boafo Appiah, aka Marjy Marj, truly, a visionary author and speaker.
After presentations by a panel of speakers, who, in their persons and life’s labors, represented a range of ethnicities and interests from civil rights to politics, from racism to colorism (within ethnic groups), from mentorship (especially of youth) to ally-ship (across racial lines), from academics to educational enhancement, the gathered throng was invited to offer questions and observations.
I was moved to share:
“I have come to believe in the cyclicality of history. That what was societally endemic in one age, say, blatant racism, may and can be resurrected for ill in a current term of time. In this, I am reminded of Coretta Scott King,[1] who said, ‘Struggle is a never-ending process. Freedom is never really won; you earn it and win it in every generation.’ I also think of hope, the object of which never can exist in a current time. For it is an ideation come to light in my imagination, which, only in my present action, has the possibility of being brought to life. Thus, today, I am grateful to be here and to hear from so many of you of the good and faithful works you are doing. I am encouraged. Thank you.”
© 2023 PRA
[1] Coretta Scott King (1927-2006); Photograph: Andrew Savulich, NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
occasional observations of mind and heart, soul and spirit 