‘I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it’
Since the beginning of time, the sun always rises in the East and sets in the West. Every new day brings its promise for a better day and each night gives us hope to look forward to the next new day.
The words from the poem, Still I Rise by Maya Angelou comes to mind at this time:
‘Leaving behind nights of terror and fear,
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear,
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave,
I rise’.
The injustices on humanity continues to be rampant in this present modern day which leaves many of us with questions; after-all the strides we have made to advance ourselves in education and with the constant technology and scientific breakthroughs why is racism, immoral conduct, and disrespect of human life still an ongoing practice and when is it going to stop?
The other words of the poem says:
‘You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise’.
We experienced much tragedies of unnecessary harm that resulted in death. The sting of such actions numbs one’s ability to understand what feeds this evil mindset.
With much hurt of the past and present times we rise above the challenges in our everyday fight for freedom, unity, and peaceful existence.
While we continue the battle we will not lose sight of our dignity – ‘the word itself has come to mean different things to different people, as many words do. It doesn’t just mean always being stiff and composed. It means a belief in oneself, that one is worthy of the best. Dignity means that what I have to say is important, and I will say it when it’s important for me to say it. Dignity really means that I deserve the best treatment I can receive. And that I have the responsibility to give the best treatment I can to other people’ – Maya Angelou.
We go onward and echo these words in our existence:
‘I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it’ – Maya Angelou.
