A collective of artists and performers and poets, known finally as Spencer's Vanguard, was to advance the mission of The Listening and "be great" in all that we did and in everything we created. We identified greatness in our diversity, in our hope, in our hurt, and in the community around us. If anyone was going to lead the charge, we were at least going to throw our hats in the ring.
Who can guess what happened next?
Read MoreFor some of us, our home is our safe place. It's where we can let our hair down, kick off our shoes and just be. For others of us, our safe space isn't necessarily a physical location, but a state of mind.
But what happens when neither can be achieved, but both are in need?
Read MoreThe morning of The Pulse Nightclub massacre, I cried. I immediately texted a group thread I had active at the time, most of us newly seventeen or eighteen:
"I just want you all to know that I love you so much and I don't know what I would do if something happened to you. Yes, this is because of the news this morning but also for all times. I just want you to know I love you."
Read MoreWhenever there has been a threat to something we hold dear, and when it has seemed hopeless, with little to no opportunity to respite or recourse, there has always been something that has been resurrected from the darkness.
Call it grit, call it grassroots, call it stick-to-it-iveness or gumption, when the people decide that they want something, they make the necessary moves to make it happen.
Photo by Rob Lambert on Unsplash
Read MoreIf you have a song in your heart that needs to be sung, step to the mic. If you are not satisfied with the world around you and have a truth you must speak to, step to the mic. If you believe that your passion and creativity can change or even save a life, step to the mic.
You just might start a revolution.
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