Hope Captured in Pictures

Beatitudes of Black Lives

In celebration of Black History Month, this week I’m sharing the stories behind some of my favorite pictures of the Black experience that encourage me to keep practicing hope. 

This week’s Wednesday Beatitudes is framed in pictures of Black lives thriving.

Peace & Blessings,
Marcie Alvis-Walker

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The Black Church

Blessings of Bliss to the Ones Who Collapsed Their Whole Being Into the Hands of God. They were the Keepers of Stars, the Cosmos, the Sun and the Moon. Heaven Right Here on Earth.

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Freedom Summer

Blessings of Bliss to the Ones Who Didn’t Look Away from Sorrow, But Instead Held It Close to Their Chest. Sorrow Repaid Their Companionship with Gladness and Friendship.

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Gordon Parks

Blessings of Bliss to the Ones Who Could Open Themselves to Others Without Speaking a Single Word. They Had the Perfect View of the Entire World.

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Fannie Lou Hamer

Blessings of Bliss to the Ones Who Would Have Rather Starved than to Have Eaten from the Oppressor’s Buffet of Injustice. They Were Fed Manna from Heaven.  

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Malcolm X

Blessings of Bliss to the Ones Who Truly Embraced The Worst and Most Lost Parts of Themselves While Sitting with the Worst and Most Lost Parts in Others. They Were Dressed Head-to-Toe in Their Humanity and Walked in Dignity. 

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James Baldwin

Blessings of Bliss to the Ones Whose Desires Were Only Persuaded by Goodness. Everywhere They Looked They Saw the Face of God. 

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Selma – Bloody Sunday

Blessings of Bliss to the Ones Who Stood Still and Dry Though Tossed into Torrential Rains of Hate. No One Other Than God Can Perform Such Miracles. 

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N.A.A.C.P. Anti-Lynching Campaign

Blessings of Bliss to the Ones Whose Clothes Were Blood-Stained, Whose Names Were Marked and Discredited, and Whose Legacies Were Dissed and Dragged. God and All of God’s Creation Has Their Back. Those Who Defiled Them Will Be Seen to and Receive Their Comeuppance. 

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Black Lives Matter Protest – NYC 2016  

And Blessings of Bliss to You, the Ones Who Are Treated in the Same Way Today. The Salt of Your Sweat and Tears Will Brine the Soil for Future Generations to Bloom and Grow.