Libation for Shirley Chisholm

Today’s Libation:

Shirley Anita Chisholm

November 30, 1924 – January 1, 2005

American politician who in 1968 became the first black woman elected to the United States Congress. Chisholm represented New York’s 12th congressional district, a district centered on Bedford–Stuyvesant, for seven terms from 1969 to 1983. In 1972, she became the first black candidate for a major-party nomination for President of the United States, and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s nomination. She started working in early childhood education and became involved in local Democratic Party politics in the 1950s. In 1964, overcoming some resistance because she was a woman, she was elected to the New York State Assembly. Four years later, she was elected to Congress, where she led the expansion of food and nutrition programs for the poor and rose to party leadership. In 2015, Chisholm was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

“In the end anti-black, anti-female, and all forms of discrimination are equivalent to the same thing: anti-humanism.”

― Shirley Chisholm

Thank you sister Chisholm for these words of wisdom. All forms of discrimination are equal to being anti-human. The older I get, the more I realiize that our purpose is to enjoy and perpetuate life. There is no reason why we all can’t do that at the same time. To give people space and opportunity to be human in the way that they naturally are, and accept them as a vital part to this organism that makes up humanity. Shirley Chisholm had the unenviable job of fighting against anti-blackness and anti-femaleness, and came to the conclusion that they were in essence the same thing. Thanks for this reminder.

Let’s pour libation for Shirley Chisholm

We never forget so never fear, 

for homies who ain’t here, we’re pouring out a beer

Because of you it will never be the same

We keep saying your name while we pour champagne

For the mothers and the father figures, 

your flame still flickers, we’re pouring out some liquor

We’re the sons and the daughters of heroes and martyrs

We honor you by pouring out some water