Poem/Commentary: Change- Ode to the Angry Activist

There is an old/new form of activism that seems to be emerging. Angry activism. Now, do not get me wrong. There is a time and a place to be angry, there is a time and a place to demand change, but we cannot live in that energy all the time. We can not combat hate with hate less we become like the people we are trying to change.

Brute force will avail against brute force only when it is proved that darkness can dispel darkness.
- Mahatma Gandhi

You can not hate someone into loving you. It just does not happen. Here is a poem that I hope conveys this message... enjoy

Change:

Change does not come because your sign is bigger than theirs.

Change does not come because you can scream louder than them

Change does not come...
Because you cannot see around your own anger and hate to
see your truth burning crosses in the valley of your soul,
Screaming mantras of " We demand change because we are queer!!!"
But guess what--Change starts here

Wet your soul scream for change with actions of love
Instead of holding signs
hold mirrors so that people can see where change begins.

Do not let ignorance burn down the bridges of change...
because how are people suppose to get across if there are no bridges?!?!

Bashing ourselves with anger and hate
reflecting a humanity that continues to suffer
under the weight of our own unwillingness to say
I LOVE YOU first.

We want equality, but life isn't algebra
a letter plus a letter plus a letter plus a letter only equals separation
and the only number we need is ONEness..

Humanity pointing fingers at one another for all the fucked up things in this world
never seeing the four fingers pointed back at our hearts screaming-OPEN!!

Its the Christian woman that pulled me off my cross long enough for me to feel
God's greatness in the grass under my feet

Its the straight man that holds his sign at a rainbow rally and never once sees
the divided colors of our flag, but sees just a rainbow...
When is the last time we just saw a rainbow?!?!

Its screaming at a man who screams lyrics of hate drowning out the music of change
and our voices are too tired from screaming to start singing songs of love.
If we cant see hope in even the darkest soul.. then why open our fucking eyes?!?

Be the dove.. flap your wings and sing peace
Open your heart and let it scream love
hold your mirrors high so that I can see
that If I want change...
I have to start with ME.


Remember, change starts with us. If we want the world to see us as equal, we have see ourselves as equal members of this world.

Much love to you all...

Mike