Word of the Year 2020: Build 10: Service and Activism

Gloria Richardson and protestors facing National Guard troops, Cambridge, Maryland, ca. 1963. Source: Black Past. Credit: National Museum of African American History and Culture

On Build thus far

Word of the Year 2020: Build 1: After the Floods
Word of the Year 2020: Build 2: Fronterista
Word of the Year 2020: Build 3: "House"
Word of the Year 2020: Build 4: Chosens
Word of the Year 2020: Build 5: It Takes a Village
Word of the Year 2020: Build 6: Elevation
Word of the Year 2020: Build 7: Trail Building
Word of the Year 2020: Build 8: Money
Word of the Year 2020: Build 9: Health

In July, I said ....

If I visualize a long trail such as the Appalachian Trail, there are sections, each with different geographic and climate features. I can divvy up my through hike into sections, too:

1. Money
2. Health
3. Relationships
4. Service and activism
5. Creative life
6. Rootless goals I want to achieve

This month is about building service and activism. 

A woman I admire shared the image (and accompanying video) of Gloria Richardson on a social media platform. The scene captured me immediately. 

The command of the Ms. Richardson's look. Her direct eye contact with the armed soldiers, who were sent to quell her and her fellow activists. How she pushed away the rifle with an open palm, evoking a martial art movement.

This photo - this woman - Gloria Richardson Dandridge - inspired me.

A video about her work below:

My favorite quote from the video: 

She defied the white power structure here. They had always expected the Black leaders to hold the peace, hold the order. They're saying, "Okay, if you guys agree to call off your protest, we'll negotiate with you." And she said, "No, you're not going to negotiate with us unless we're on the street, unless we're marching." 

When I consider service and activism in my build for the future ..........[insert blah, blah, blah, blah, and .... more blah] ........

Let's skip past all the blah, blah, blah. 

The bottom line: What will I do to make the universe a little better place for more of us?  

1. I do some stuff now. 
2. I must do more.  
3. Be a chingona, Mzuri.