Dear Rev. Al:
This is still our movement, but this isn’t our moment.
photo by David Shankbone
Our youth are warriors, and we must trust them to lead. Our role as elders is to arm them well with history and bail funds and strategy; to shelter them and heal them deeply; and to sing to them unceasing stories of courage, triumph and love. We have already taught them how to speak truth; we must entrust them with the mic. We can now be the wisdom that listens.
One more thing. Our job is indeed to gather parades and stage festivals — to greet our young with praise and honor. We can do this without a microphone, or a federal building as a backdrop. In fact, this is what we must do for the very important people who are leading us into a new understanding of power, and why #Justice4All can only begin where #BlackLivesMatter. This is the one role that only we elders can fill – to celebrate our next generation with honor and respect, whenever, however, and in whatever unexpected places they arrive.
With abiding love for the torch of justice you have long carried, and now must pass on,
-Mistinguette
Intentional 50 