Give Them Flowers While They’re Here
go.ncsu.edu/readext?718714
en Español / em Português
El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.
Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.
Português
Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.
Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.
English
English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.
Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.
Collapse ▲By Nyawira Nyota
C.T. Vivian (left) and John Lewis (right) mug shots during their part in the Civil Rights Movement. (Credit: Atlanta Journal Constitution)
Thinking on the life and work of John Lewis and C.T. Vivian after their passing, one can’t help but remember many of their peers that had the right to become elders, not just in their community but in the eyes of the nation, stripped away. In so many cultures, elders are held in the highest regard because of their knowledge and experience, and for many Black leaders they were literally on the front lines of revolution–an unmatched source of experience. On the front lines of securing a right to live freely for the next generation. They were robbed of their lives and did not get to see their legacies in action.
I am hardly the first to mourn the loss of far too many leaders so early, but this notion was called in perspective for me after witnessing writer and activist, Angela Davis talking during these most recent calls to “#DefundThePolice”, with many reflecting for the first time on the state of prisons and policing in the United States. One of, if not the most, prolific voices in the discussion of prison abolition, mass incarceration and police brutality, Davis is one of the few Black revolutionaries alive to witness the fruits of her labor in the form of millions across the country calling for her thoughts to change the system. Seeing her able to offer sage advice and reference work she wrote years ago, reflected to me the uniqueness of her position.
The importance of adults in supporting youth activism is something we frequently discuss and encourage with a wealth of resources here at #PassTheMicYouth. Adults have access and knowledge that youth don’t always have, so their backing can often be invaluable.
When I remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Huey P. Newton, Malcolm X, Stokely Carmichael, Patrice Lumumba and many others who died or were killed before collecting their flowers, becoming elders, and seeing the fruits of their work I am immeasurably grateful for the ones we have the chance to celebrate.
Representative John Lewis and C.T Vivian are those people. They got their flowers not just in death, but also in life. Among their many awards, the Presidential Medal of Freedom presented by the nation’s first Black president stands out as the most representative of their achievements and legacy. Their work cannot be overstated and while I am devastated by their passing, I cannot help but be glad at the recognition of their greatness and accomplishments. They are cemented as a great Black and American heroes.