Nobody’s free until everybody’s free

By Fatimah Hayes, Teacher at Pennsauken High School

Speech delivered at the Black Lives Matter rally at Haddonfield Memorial High School – June 24, 2020

Thank you for inviting me to speak today.

I can’t say enough about the brilliance of our young people. As an educator who studies and teaches history, my heart is full as I witness the energy of the ongoing protest across this country and around the world.

The fact that many of these protests are led by our youth I would be remiss if I did not uplift the work of organizers like Ella Baker and the efforts of SNCC, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. We stand on the shoulders of giants whose spirits are guiding our work today.

To everyone here today, we are indeed in the midst of a revolution!

A revolution that will undoubtedly bring about significant change. The question becomes what side of history will you be on? The dismantling of systemic and institutional racism is something that won’t happen overnight. If you think that participating in this march or that rally today, tomorrow, or next week will make you an anti-racist then I hate to break it to you … it will not. At this critical moment we will all have to do some soul searching.

Our youth and young people are speaking and leading. It’s time for us to follow and listen. What stories and messages of oppression and freedom have they shared with us?

I’ve heard the roar for more inclusionary curriculums and staff that represents them in their schools. I’ve heard their cries for more counselors, not cops, and the dismantling of policies and practices that criminalize who they are. I’ve heard the shouts of them begging for the restoration of their humanity.

Let them breathe!

Lilla Watson, activist and artist reminds us that our common humanity unites us in our struggles and in our achievements. She reminds us to question our intentions and the impact of our actions. She states, “If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”

It’s about our collective power, our collective work!

I’ll leave you with the powerful words of Ms. Fannie Lou Hamer, “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.”

Let’s get free y’all!

Thank you!