Follow the Ones Who Know the Way: A Love Poem for Young Leaders with Taj James
Published November 26, 2019
As the Generation Transformation Series draws to a close, our series host Taj James offers a poem that is his love letter to the young leaders that continue to inspire and bring forth a world rooted in justice.
Learn more about & see all episodes from the Generation Transformation series
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Note: This episode was published under Irresistible’s previous name, Healing Justice Podcast.
About our guest
Taj James is a father, poet, strategist, designer, and philanthropic and capital advisor. Taj is the Founder and a Senior Advisor at the Movement Strategy Center and Curator at Full Spectrum Labs. Taj is also one of the designers of the Next Gen Fund which is providing support to the organizations, communities and young leaders who are sharing their stories on this podcast series.
The Next Generation Fund is a response to a growing call from frontline organizers to learn from restorative & transformative practices in order to support a rising generation of social justice leaders and nurture sustainable approaches to organizing and community building. The Fund is anchored by the Ford Foundation and developed in partnership with the Movement Strategy Center’s Innovation Center. Get in touch via NextGen@movementstrategy.org Center. Get in touch via NextGen@movementstrategy.org
Follow the Ones Who Know the Way
by Taj James
if your mind and eyes
are open
heart beating
skin tingling
in relationship
then
bearing the
the heartbreak
of these times
can be
much too much
to bear
and yet
from the
flames, floods &
foreclosed futures
flys forth
the future itself!
alive in the present
a continuation of
the best we have ever been
leading now
leading today
for the sake of All of Us
brilliant, bold and beautiful
healing, creating and cooperating
young people
children
calling us back into our shared humanity
reminding us that we are a part of and responsible to
everything that is:
the entire web of life
Our ancestors’ wildest hopes
filling the streets and halls of power
with their passion and solutions
the courageous ancestors
that our descendants will need
now more than ever
reminding us of who we truly are
and who we’ve always been
One
Many and
One
interconnected
interdependent
broken open and whole
nature itself
defending itself
from the violence, domination and extraction
that the lie of separation and supremacy
has wrought
Generations are rising!
human beings
that know in their bones
that we All belong
fundamentally
that we all deserve
love, care and community
unquestionably
that our beauty and strength
that the secret to humanity's thriving and our collective future
is to be found in exactly the places
where we have been
excluded
wounded
marginalized and
made invisible
in the beauty and complexity
found beyond the binaries
unapologetically
young people know
that what is saving us
what is lifting us up and beyond
amidst the collapse of the old stories and lies
is their creativity, their power, & their love
What is saving us is
Women’s Leadership & Queering Everything
What is saving us is
Indigenous Sovereignty, Stewardship, and Wisdom
What is saving us is
Black Genius & Black Joy
And that the only thing that can save us
is remembering
how to create Welcome and a Place at the Table for
all Travelers & Newcomers and the gifts they bear
humanity is in motion
like never before
and Generation Transformation
is rising
the time has come for all of us to
Follow the Children
for they know the Way
to follow the young people
for they have the power
the way to liberation
& the power to heal and create and transform
the time has come
to Ask and to Listen
No. No. Really To Listen:
what do you need?
what do you dream?
what is your superpower?
and what can we do to
support you to bring forth your gifts
together?
the time has come
To tell them and show them
You are loved
We have got your back
And you don't have to do it alone
The future is yours
And the time has come
Follow the Children
For they know the Way.
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