Martin Luther King Jr.
“We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there “is” such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.”
I have long been inspired by the fierce urgency of now, as I am, by nature, an impatient person. During my time as an elected leader of a national civil rights organization for young professionals, I honed my view into a concise slogan, “WeGotNow”. It was my response to the constant “next” rhetoric I heard while working on the 50th Anniversary March for Jobs and Justice in 2014. As a 30 something at that time, I did not agree that I was next. I also don’t believe we can afford to wait to have an honest dialogue about the false construct of race in this country.
It is time for vigorous, positive action. We can’t wait. Our children cannot wait. We must act collectively now.
For the past year after leaving my post in leadership, friends and acquaintances have asked me what they can do to stop the senseless killings of black people. I am supposed to know where they should go or who they should call, but I’ve had no answers.
Encouraging community leadership and engagement has been difficult without also providing a blueprint, tools, and loving guidance. After watching the funeral of Muhammad Ali and seeing people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds applaud him for standing up for his principles regardless of the danger to his career and reputation, I was once again convicted to do something.
I was further convicted by the words of Malcolm X in Beyonce’s formation video, “the most disrespected person in America is the black woman.” My social justice work has been in support of every black issue except those of issues of black women, and it produced great shame in me. My creation must be inclusive and defend the unnecessary and deeply traumatic indignities black women experience.
I didn’t create the concept until I saw the video of #AltonSterling being killed in my hometown of Baton Rouge and watched my daughter’s emotional response. You can’t lead your children with hope and integrity if you are unwilling to stand.
So, we’re going to do something. Maybe 5 of us or 5 million of us are going to take action to heal our country and make it safer, freer, and less traumatic.
Fanie Lou Hamer, I’m there with you. This is something else…
Hope this helps,
Brandi
#FierceUrgentNow
@fierceurgentnow
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