Youth speaks out on climate change

 Sent to NV by John Wilkins (BOLD group)
ON Friday, 20 th. September thousands of young people gathered around the world to protest for climate justice.  Inspired by Greta Thunberg but powerful in their own right and in their collective unity, this movement is part of wider circles that ripple out in ways we can not imagine...


In Manchester, many of of us shared our voices in speeches, poems and songs.  It was an inspiring space to be and spurred Bridget Holtom, a poet and storyteller from Yorkshire living in Scotland, to stand and share a piece of spoken word written in response to burn out in activism.  To find out more, you can listen to Bridget Holtom speak to other activists about what sustains them in their fight for basic rights or while in solidarity in social and environmental justice movements at www.sustenanceradio.com and most podcast platforms. 


Only when...
Only when climate justice is done,
Only when all of the battles are won,
Only when freedom is for everyone,
Only then will all of our work be done.
Only when...
Borders are open,
Children have spoken,
New leaders are chosen,
Racist myths are broken
...only then
Only when women can say what they wish,
Say it without being burned as a witch,
Say it without being blamed as a bitch,
Only then will we be able to switch...
Off our brains and find peace, without losing sleep, 
while we worry that there's something we might have all missed.
It was only when...
Broader trauma
Border drama
Only then did I ask to take a break,
...survival was at stake.
Only when...
I took a year
Far far away from here
Finally to face my fears

Only then...
Did I realise why I felt so defeated,
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