The Power Within: Rising Up for a Future Beyond the Vote

Today, as the dust settles after a hard-fought election, we find ourselves grappling with the reality of a re-elected Donald Trump. Despite the hopeful vision of Kamala Harris and the future she embodied, Americans made a different choice. She represented empathy, inclusivity, and a forward-looking vision that resonated deeply with me. But the voices that prevailed were those that, at times, seemed to divide us, calling some among us “enemies from within” and sowing seeds of discord.

This morning, as I awoke, a profound sense of reflection took hold. I thought back to the strength of my ancestors — their resilience in the face of unimaginable suffering. They endured lynchings, beatings, and relentless persecution, yet somehow they persisted. I imagine moments when they, too, felt hopeless, beaten, discouraged. Yet, despite everything, they rose each day, fueled by a faith in something greater, a determination to survive and protect their future and ours.

In moments like these, I am reminded of an old Native American hymn, Wake Up, the Birds Still Sing. The hymn is a gentle reminder that life persists, that there is beauty and purpose even amid hardship. It tells me that the fight is not over. This battle may be bruising, and the road ahead challenging, but the journey hasn’t ended. Now is not the time to wallow in despair…