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I look at the world by Langston Hughes
I look at the world
From awakening eyes in a black face—
And this is what I see:
This fenced-off narrow space
Assigned to me.
I look then at the silly walls
Through dark eyes in a dark face—
And this is what I know:
That all these walls oppression builds
Will have to go!
I look at my own body
With eyes no longer blind—
And I see that my own hands can make
The world that's in my mind.
Then let us hurry, comrades,
The road to find.
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John, we know that right now we’re living through unprecedented times. Every time we turn on the news or open our phone we’re met with another breaking news story and another anxiety-provoking headline.
However, we can find comfort in poetry, art, and storytelling. That’s why at Black Lives Matter a big part of our mission is protecting and prioritizing arts and culture as one of our pillars.
We can find comfort in the fact that we are not alone in this fight, and that our ancestors have overcome more trying moments than these. The reason that authoritarians try to control our arts, books, and culture is because of how revolutionary it can truly be.
When we participate in the fight for Black liberation, we stand on the shoulders of giants like Langston Hughes. We walk on a path forward that has been laid out for us by our ancestors.
We know the narrow space white nationalists try to force us into: the cages, the prisons, the boundaries of who we are told we can be. We know the walls of oppression, because we have spent generations tearing them down.
But Hughes reminds us: our eyes are no longer blind. Our hands carry the power to build the world we imagine. A world without walls. A world of dignity, freedom, and Black joy.
That’s what is in reach, and that’s what we’re fighting for every day.
Add your name today to reaffirm that you are still in this fight, still on the road with us, and still committed to building the world Hughes envisioned.
With love,
Black Lives Matter
P.S. Please also reply to this email with a poem, book, song lyrics, or other piece of media that is giving you comfort, encouragement, or hope during these times. We’ll share these out on social media!
Our grassroots movement is pushing for Black liberation every single day. We are striving to create a world where Black people do so much more than just survive. It’s time we thrive.
As an organization one of our biggest hurdles is consistency.
A recurring contribution of anything you can afford goes a long way as we plan for the months, years, and even decades ahead. This is the most effective way for small-dollar donors (like you) to power our Black liberation work.
Will you make a recurring contribution of $5 or more today so that we can keep building momentum for our movement?
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Black Lives Matter imagines a world where Black people across the diaspora thrive, experience joy, and are not defined by their struggles.
In pursuing liberation, we envision a future fully divested from police, prisons, and all punishment paradigms and which invests in justice, joy, and culture. Email is the most important way we keep in touch with our supporters. But we know there's a lot going on.
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