Activists Weren’t Born that Way
When I wear my Black Lives Matter t-shirt, I’m self-conscious
at first
then I forget about it
until
a middle-aged white man keeps staring
or
a woman my age stares and looks away and stares back to make sure she’s seen what she thinks she’s seen.
And then I feel a bottomless well of pride for the activists who speak up and walk up and take the microphone and shout up.
I am uneasy simply wearing a shirt.
It’s so easy to say, “They’re activists,” and forget they weren’t always
so brave.
Black folk don’t give the shirt a second thought.
derrick knight
Well said
Ellen Morris Prewitt
We have had so many necessary but divisive changes in Memphis recently, and it’s easy to think of those who ushered them in as “activist,” forgetting that they are just normal, very brave people.
Hilary Custance Green
You are one brave lady, I will try and follow your example.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
I appreciate that. I feel I do so little and have so much respect for those who do so much.