but that it is a tool to rebuild communities

My last semester of college I attempted to do a study of poetry in social justice movements. Needless to say I loved it and wrote a few reflections pieces in response. I was looking for some poetry to send to a friend and came across this from my final. I also thought the Harjo quote was fitting.

Harjo "contends that poetry is not only a way to save the sanity of those who have been oppressed to the point of madness, but that it is a tool to rebuild communities and, ultimately, change the world: 'All acts of kindness are lights in the war for justice.'”
-Publisher’s Weekly, Review of Joy Harjo’s How We Become Human




Living Definition

define social justice:

then do we start with cruelty,
or dignity?

must we characterize power,
or first, deprivation?

should we delineate ethics
or equality?

have we explored who it’s defined for,
or could it be universal?

do we denote law,
or value?

define social justice:

can you open up a dictionary,
or what about your heart?

will you describe what words designate,
or can you illustrate?

won’t you assign something for society,
or for yourself?

is it ascertained for the broken,
or forgotten by your guilt?

do you have a basis to comprehend,
or will you miss our translations?

define social justice:

because your definition must be alive,
or our ink will fade…