In this New Year, may we put aside the Old toxic agents of arrogance and cold-heartedness, and instead embrace a New spirit of humility with listening ears and open hearts;
In this New Year, let’s implement New starts that put away the Old deadly weaponry of violence whether from drivebys in blood-stained streets or flybys of bombardment from lying warmongers who produce the rain of death from grey smoke clouds over sad and blue skies.
Let’s put away the Old bloodstained knives used by the backstabbers whose injurious harm kills spirits with wicked tongues spewing lies; Let’s bring forth New truths, and even apologize with gestures that heal Old wounds and allow New hopes to rise; Rise to the point where New spirits can dry Old tears, and allow a New vision that protects the existence of a kinder and better community that will rise, and uplift the most oppressed and most vulnerable lives.
Let’s ensure this New year will say bye to the Old shackles of racism and all other Old forms of politrickery; Let’s allow Old dreams that died from the homicide of institutional nightmares shooting bullets of bigotry, to be reborn with a New dawn and a New urgency that produce dreams that come true where the pen of compassion writes New pages of history.
– By Rev. Curtis E. Gatewood