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 120th in our Democracy and Hope Series. This series will highlight hopeful aspects about our Democracy using various genres including poems
you ask me, child, how to get to sesame street— where colors danced and kindness had feet, where the alphabet sang and monsters were sweet, where every soft soul had a front-row seat.
but they cut the cords, closed the gate, turned laughter into a budget debate. called learning liberal, called love elite, left big bird grounded on a forgotten beat.
yet still— we rise with chalk-stained hands, build the road where joy still stands. for every child with dreams to meet, we carry the map to sesame street.
©️MustafaSantiagoAli
#Poetry #sesamestreet #art #education