“O ye who believe! Fear God, and (always) say a word directed to the Right:”

- The Quran, Chapter 33, Verse 70

A Word to the Right

Speak a word to the right 

that clarifies a lie

that reveals truth

that no longer lets us hide. 

Something like: 

“Actually, No Child Left Behind left a whole bunch of kids behind.” 

Or… “Maybe we were wrong about AI.” 

Or …“Na. There were no ‘happy slaves.’”

And…“The colonization of indigenous land is America’s genocide.” 

Speak a word to the right

that makes others wince

and look around to see if others heard

what they just heard. Say something bold 

that needs to be said for a new perspective, 

to end passive comfort and ineffective logic. 

Something like:

“Let’s dismantle the master’s house from the inside this time.” 

Or…“Maybe Luigi had a point.” 

Speak a word to the right 

and watch it take up  

space. Let everyone hear it.

Let them wonder and ponder 

why you said it. 

Something like: 

“Actually, your silence is agreement.”

Or….“Food deserts are by design.” 

And…“Saying ‘I don’t see race’ is racism.”  

Speak a word to the right

that may not rhyme, that may sound staccato 

but can be a beautiful melody 

if we just slow down.

Say two things that can exist at the same time.

Something like: 

“Antisemitism is real!” 

AND “Free Palestine!”  

Speak a word to the right.

Let your words 

defend the defenseless.

Say something on behalf of someone else

that builds their self-esteem.

Something like:

“What you said will not be tolerated!”  

Or..“Let’s lead with inquiry rather than accusation.”  

And…“Stop waiting for a seat at their table; build your own!”  

Speak a word to the right.

Let your words sound,  

watch them shoot straight 

to the heart of the monster, 

an arrow that pierces clean. 

Let truth settle there 

and slowly bring the beast 

to its knees. 

Speak a word to the right.

Say something beautiful

and dangerous like , “I love you.” 

Say something lovely 

and bold like, “I see you,” 

something heavy 

yet healing like, “You are enough.” 

Open your mouth

and let words out

that embrace “the other”

you never knew 

the person who doesn’t look 

like you, the someone who lives 

down the street

who you swore you’d never meet. 

Say something that matters,

that welcomes, that holds

us all accountable, like a mother  

loving her child in time out

where minutes feel like hours. 

Then Wait. 

Wait some more. 

And wait again.

And while doing so,

it will feel like the earth under your feet 

is crumbling, for speaking can shatter 

complacency. But don’t believe

you will fall. Know that faith

will steady you and lay a path

that, while rocky, will always 

lead to justice.

So speak a word to the right!

For it is an art.

Keep on speaking

right away.