Silly Walls

3/24/24

Unfortunately, there is a strong attempt from the conservative political right to turn back advances in diversity, equity, and inclusion. I offer words from Langston Hughes:

I look at the world

I look at the world

From awakening eyes in a black face —

And this is what I see:

This fenced-off narrow space

Assigned to me.

I look then at the silly walls

Through dark eyes in a dark face —

And this is what I know:

That all these walls oppression builds

Will have to go!

I look at my own body

With eyes no longer blind —

And I see that my own hands can make

The world that’s in my mind.

Then let us hurry, comrades,

The road to find.

                        -Langston Hughes

Let us continue to tear down silly walls and strive to pave a road that gives access to all. Let us see the world through unobstructed lens and give voice against intolerance and injustice.

Langston Hughes (1901–67) was a poetic innovator and a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance. Through his poetry, novels, plays, essays and children’s books, he sought to honestly depict the joys and hardships of Black lives. Often called “The People’s Poet,” his writing promoted equality, condemned racism and injustice and helped shape American literature and politics.

CPW