spike always said that only white people ever asked why Mookie threw the trash can through the window. his character's choice was criticized for that. i came out of college with one answer: trauma. years and years and years of trauma. years of fighting for survival and it not mattering enough, years of being told the lives and rights of marginalized communities don't matter. years of trying to open eyes that dont want to wake up. years of actions, legislation, politicians who continuously tell us we don't matter. we are here this morning. the fight is confirmed again. the movement that people said was hasty, was not well thought out, was not necessary remains needed. we are in shock that our country is here again, but the shock is not new. nor is the disappointment. our trauma gains new layers, our deepest fears about our country and our neighbors are confirmed. we wake today and want to throw the trash can through the window, and sometimes that is the only way to make sense of it, i will not tell you today not to. # rage on fight for freedom know now if there was ever a doubt that your voice in this fight is essential the side that operates out of fear has spoken. # "To those who have said, “Be patient and wait,” we have long said that we cannot be patient. We do not want our freedom gradually, but we want to be free now! We are tired. We are tired of being beaten by policemen. We are tired of seeing our people locked up in jail over and over again. And then you holler, “Be patient.” How long can we be patient? We want our freedom and we want it now. We do not want to go to jail. But we will go to jail if this is the price we must pay for love, brotherhood, and true peace." -John Lewis, Aug 28 1963 # i do not know how we will fight which methods will bring us success but i know we have to do all we can to wake people up narrow mindedness, small vision, ignorance, apathy, bigotry and fear just won an important battle with unforeseen consequences in spite of our belief that it could not possibly (at Crown Heights, Brooklyn)