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 seventh in our Democracy and Peril Series. This series will highlight hopeful aspects about our Democracy using various genres including poems, interviews, short stories, and articles about political event
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In the echoes of Harlem, a voice resounds, James Baldwin's wisdom, in prose unbound, Through fire and ice, he carved his name, A torchbearer of truth, in history’s frame.
In streets where dreams were often denied, Baldwin’s pen, a beacon, a guide, He spoke of love and rage, entwined, In a nation blind, a spirit confined.
His words, a mirror to our present plight, Where justice wavers in the dimming light, From Trump’s harsh whispers to MAGA’s roar, A past’s reflection on today’s war.
Project 2025, a shadow cast, A threat to the future, echoing the past, Policies of division, a familiar tone, In Baldwin’s eyes, we've always known.
He walked through fire, unscathed, resolute, Against a system, cold and mute, His fight, our fight, an unending quest, For equality’s dawn, for freedom’s best.
In Baldwin’s prose, we find our might, Against the darkness, we ignite, With every word, a step we take, In the name of justice, for freedom’s sake.
Through the corridors of time, his voice remains, A cry for change, for breaking chains, Injustice lingers, but hope does too, In Baldwin’s legacy, we renew.
For every fight, from then to now, We wear his words upon our brow, Against the tide, we stand and strive, In Baldwin’s spirit, we come alive.
So here we stand, in modern strife, Remembering Baldwin’s fearless life, His pen, a sword, his heart, a shield, In the battle for justice, we refuse to yield.
Against Trump’s tyranny, MAGA’s hate, We channel Baldwin, stand upright, straight, In the face of lies, we hold the line, With Baldwin’s wisdom, our souls align.
For every step in freedom’s dance, We honor Baldwin’s fierce stance, In every protest, in every plea, We echo Baldwin’s legacy.
Injustice’s grip, we strive to break, With every word, for Baldwin’s sake, We fight on, in love and pain, For a world where justice reigns.
©️MustafaSantiagoAli
#Poetry #JamesBaldwin #ProudBlue #Resister #BlackExcellence #Love