Mustafa Santiago Ali
Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali is the Executive Vice President of Conservation & Justice for the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), former Interim Chief of Programs at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), and Instructor at American University. He is the Founder and CEO of Revitalization Strategies. He also serves as a commissioner for The American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS). He is an award-winning writer and poet focused on social justice. Dr. Ali is frequently seen on television, including appearances on MSNBC, ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, VICE, FUSE, BET, National Geographic, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, and Democracy NOW! Mustafa is also a regular guest on Roland Martin Unfiltered, Black News Channel, Tavis Smiley Show, The Dean Obeidallah Show, and many others…
Editor's Note: This poem is the 108th in our Democracy and Hope Series. This series will highlight hopeful aspects about our Democracy using various genres including poems
bless the ones who carry you without asking what broke you. who see your shadow & still call you sunrise.
they ain’t angels, just folks with cracked halos & hands that remember how to build you back whole.
they the chorus in your chest when you forgot your name, the hush that says, you ain’t shame, you breath, you brave, you blaze.
they bring light like it’s language. paint hope in your margins. say you matter before you even say hello.
they ain’t perfect, but damn if they don’t hold the sky still long enough for you to stand.
so when you rise, don’t forget who knelt. who stayed. who knew you were worth the weight.
©️MustafaSantiagoAli
#poetry #Soul #Art #Healing #Love #culture