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 56th in our Democracy and Hope Series. This series will highlight hopeful aspects about our Democracy using various genres including poems, interviews, short stories, and articles about political events
On this day, I wonder if y’all hear me still— Do you feel the weight of every step I took, walking with chains on my back, with fire in my throat? They tried to silence me, but I spoke anyway, sang anyway, because what’s life if you can’t be free?
I was born in a world that told me I was nothing, born with hands meant to pick cotton but not pick a future. But I learned to turn that dirt into power, learned that even if they knock you down, you stand tall in the truth of who you are.
I didn’t die for y’all to sit on your hands, didn’t bleed just so you could sit quiet. The fight ain’t finished; the war ain’t won. And you got the tools, got the rights, got the legacy to keep pushing, keep moving, keep rising.
They beat me ‘til my skin split open, tried to make me forget who I was. But I remembered. And now, it’s your turn to remember me. When you walk into that polling place, remember my face, remember the hands that pulled the lever so you could pull yours.
I fought for more than my body, more than my name— I fought for your children, your future, your flame. They tried to bury me, but I was a seed. Now, I need you to water what I planted. I need you to grow what I couldn’t.
I asked America, is this land really free? Is it brave, if it can’t let me live as me? And I’m still asking, still waiting, but now it’s your voice I need to hear ringing from every corner, every block, every vote cast like a brick in the foundation of freedom.
I don’t ask for much, just your courage. Just your heart, set on fire for change. This day is for me, but it’s really for you. For the lives that didn’t make it, for the dreams still in bloom. Get up, stand up, speak loud, and make sure they hear what we all know—freedom’s closer than it appears.
©️MustafaSantiagoAli
#Poetry #HappyBirthday #FannieLouHamer #protest #Voting #civilrights #KamalaHarris #ProudBlue #resister #Mississippi #RIP