Ida B. Wells She’s small, standing in her full skirt Between the music of Beale and the bells of the Baptist church. Ida B Wells, a fierce warrior, Teacher and writer, roaring advocate for those hung out to dry, to die. Travon, George, Ahmaud, Brianna… Their voices calling up from earth’s embrace, A collective memory, a longing, a choir of hope- one day that small woman’s courage will rise up And do the laundry one last time- washing injustice from Top to bottom, north to south, east to west, Hanging righteousness under the sun- clean and free.
Elaine Blanchard is a writer, social activist, and ordained minister in the Disciples of Christ denomination. She moved to Memphis in 1994. She and her wife, Anna, are proud Midtown Memphians.
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