Yesterday was Langston Hughes’ birthday (February 1, 1902).

In our three poetry books, many teachers and leaders chose to reflect on his powerful poems. This morning, I paged through the books looking for the poem and reflection to post in honor of his birthday – searching for the combination that would best speak to these times.

It was a difficult decision. I finally decided on Linda K. Bowen’s reflection in Leading from Within.  Linda chose to reflect on Hughes’ poem “Let America Be America Again” and Countee Cullen’s “Yet Do I Marvel.”  The poems spoke to me and I thought Linda’s struggle with finding her role in life was one that many of us could identify with.  I was also taken with her answer: “my role is to invite the questions, listen, hear and sing their wisdom.”  I hope many of us can play such a role.

Langston Hughes: Let America Be America Again

Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Seeking a home where he himself is free.

 

Countee Cullen “Yet Do I Marvel”

Yet do I marvel at this curious thing—

 

 

We wish we could post both poems in full here.  But we only have permission for reprinting these poems in our poetry books, so we have included links where you can go and read the full poems.

Linda K. Bowen’s Reflection

“What does this organization think about the role of race in violence?” This was the first question posed to me as the newly hired executive director of a national violence-prevention program. My heart simultaneously soared and sank. I immediately understood the question not to be about race but about social justice.

My conflicting emotions arose from a lifelong internal battle. Social justice had long been my quest. As a child I had wanted to be president—the one I thought could right all wrongs and make an America “where every person is free.” Over the years, I recognized that who I was wasn’t a president; it wasn’t in my personality. I learned that I was most effective working in the background for social justice and came to see the desire to be up-front as a vanity. Yet here I was, being called out in a public meeting to provide leadership on one of the most volatile issues in our country’s history. But I knew it was not for me to answer and instead punted the question back to the community members at the meeting.

I have learned through my trials in life that difficult moments serve a purpose. Life leads us to where we should be, despite our ferocious struggles against it. At the Institute for Community Peace, I work with communities that want to do more than end violence; they want America to be America. They know how this can be done—my role is to invite the questions, listen, hear, and sing their wisdom.

 —Linda K. Bowen

 

Linda wrote her reflection for us back in 2007.  I know she has had many more years of leadership since then and appreciate her willingness to share this essay with us. Here is an updated bio for her:

Linda K. Bowen is Executive Director of the Institute for Community Peace, a national program that focuses on supporting resident and community engagement to effect structural change.   She has nearly 30 years of experience in violence prevention, program management and development, policy analysis, research, organizational development and resident and community engagement.  She has authored or co-authored several papers, articles and reports on adolescent pregnancy and parenting, women’s issues and issues related to poverty, violence prevention and community engagement.

 

 

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