A Nice Start

First, we are challenged to rise above the narrow confines of our individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity. The individual or nation that feels that it can live in isolation has allowed itself to sleep through a revolution. The geographical togetherness of the modern world makes our very existence dependent on co-existence. We must all learn to live together as brothers or we will all perish together as fools. Because of our involvement in humanity we must be concerned about every human being.

Martin Luther King, Jr. (1959, June). From: Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution. Address at Morehouse College Commencement. Atlanta, GA.

Peace to the folks who rise above it all.

Big ups to the young folk on my campus and across the world who spent the last few weeks using their talents, their minds, their arms and legs, their money, and their time to remind us to be free and that civic life requires us all to throw down – not to hang on the corner and just watch what goes down. Our squads – more than 1200 people, brought together and led exclusively by other students – put 24,798 volunteer (or service, if you prefer) hours on the board in just three days. (Obligatory trash talk here: no where else in the Nation put those kind of numbers up!)

Much respect to our parents, people on the block who looked after us, and teachers for giving us the strength to serve. I hope they continue to make us think politically; be able to organize as we see fit; strive to gather the truth; and, love free thinking. I recognize that they paid – by being punished, destroyed at times, and limited in the use of their abilities – for me to be this free.

Good stuff, but I hope we realize the distance we’ve come and the responsibility to continue to put in the work. Our alumnus, Martin Luther King, Jr. reminds me of the powerful voice of young people to create and re-create my world. That service, and the service mindset can give depth to friendship, compassion, humility, forgiveness, and, especially love. For me, the good Dr. King and the students in the volunteer and service set are personal symbols of thoughtful people who act independently and freely on behalf of the society.

Dr. King laid out issues that still linger for our times: how we treat the other; the oversized influence of violence and institutionalized muscle to solve conflicts; and, the shameful persistence of poverty as a culture in a world of riches. Dedicating memorials and celebrating our volunteer and service efforts are merely good starts to making King’s vision an authentic reality.

Peace to the young people who create better societies.

A shoutout to the urge to move, tap, sing, and make music whenever we get together. Revolutions need playlist:

Dawn of the Dreads – Arrested Development 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days In
Wadidyusay? – Zap Mama
Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat) – Digable Planets
Children’s Story – Slick Rick
Harder Than You Think – Public Enemy
Spanish Bombs – The Clash
Rolling in the Deep – Adele
Luda La Vida Remix – AyPerskAy
Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Beatnick & K-Salaam
No Meaning No (feat. Fine Arts Militia) – Chuck D
Mr. Man (feat. Prince) – Cornel West & BMWMB
Akh Mastani – DJ Rekha
Move the Crowd – Eric B. & Rakim
Another Generation – Fishbone
Wake Up Everybody (feat. Common & Melanie Fiona) – John Legend & The Roots
Buddy (‘native Tongue Decision Version) – Jungle Brothers
Promise In Love – José James
People In Tha Middle – Michael Franti & Spearhead
Keep On Movin‘ – Soul II Soul

PS: Shoutout to Vaclav Havel for his inspiration for this post.