“i was born by the river in a little tent. and just like the river i’ve been running every since. it’s been long, a long time coming, and i know a change gon come. oh yes it will. it’s been too hard living but i’m afraid to die because I don’t know what’s up there beyond the sky. it’s been a long time coming but I know a change gon come, oh yes it is.” -sam cooke
i was only a little girl when i heard that song ring through the walls from my older brother’s bedroom. at the time, i didn’t understand the lyrics, i just connected with the power in the singer’s voice. it was passionate. it was soulful and demanded to be heard. how can a teenager make meaning to a song that screamed for change and equality? but my brother did, and soon did i. since then, i would find myself humming the lyrics to that song whenever my back was against the wall. perhaps it’s calming or reassuring that pain doesn’t last forever. and as sam cooke suggested, pray. “a change is gon come. yes it is.” have faith.

[These are my open notes that I’ve hidden from the world. Over the next month, I am making them public until my birthday on April 14th.]