I did not have to fight for my rights when I was growing up
I already had the freedom
I did not have to fight for my right to vote
I already had the freedom
I did not have to fight for my right to worship in freedom
I already had the freedom
I did not have to fight for my right to sit at the front of a bus
I already had that freedom
I did not have to fight for my right to sit at the front of a bus
I already had that freedom
I did not have to fight for my right to attend a school of my choice
I already had the freedom
I did not have to fight for the right to speak my language
I already had the freedom
I did not have to fight for the right to speak my language
I already had the freedom
I did not have to fight for my right to live in a place of my choosing
I already had the freedom
I did not have to fight for peace in my country
I already had the freedom to live in peace
So, today, I celebrate you
who had to fight for your rights
I celebrate you
who had to fight to get the right to vote
I celebrate you
who had to fight to worship freely
I celebrate you
who had to fight to go to a school of your choice
I celebrate you
I celebrate you
who had to fight for the right to live freely and in freedom
I celebrate you
who had to fight for peace in your country
I celebrate you
who went to prison to make sure I can keep my rights
I celebrate you
who went to prison to make sure I can keep my rights
"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." -Nelson Mandela-
Jaana, thanks for writing this beautiful tribute. It's easy to take things for granted when we live in a time where we "have" it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute! I too have been thinking about how blessed my life has been.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tribute! I read Kadir Nelson's book to a couple of classes yesterday. I want to read your poem on Monday. Think it might inspire some poems from our kids! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis is so thought-provoking! I was at a book sale this week and there was a picture about him...now, I wish I would have bought it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a moving and fitting poem for this week.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute to such an important person. I love the poem and the way it made me think. Thank you for this celebration.
ReplyDeleteSuch a perfect combination of celebration and tribute! I'm in awe. Thank you!! I celebrate your poem.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful written tribute for this great man, Jaana. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding us its not enough to be grateful in our freedoms. It is our charge to live our lives in a way that helps other to achieve this same freedom to be who they are do and go where they wish
ReplyDeleteWe take so much for granted. I wonder if I would have had the courage to fight for these freedoms. Nice, Jaana!
ReplyDeleteThoughtful and beautiful. We don't stop often enough to think what it means to have or not have freedom and rights.
ReplyDelete