Odd? Coincidence? I'm sure? Curious?
That the official killings of Michael Brown and John Brown, two Browns
Would spark in their own times such white focus on the lives of Black Americans
John Brown re-invigorated abolitionists in the fight for freedom from slavery
Michael Brown has awakened again Americans of good will to the fight
For freedom from official murder, harassment, official injustice
One of America's greatest intellectuals, the Black WEB DuBois said
John Brown was right, even wrote a book about it
Michael Brown unarmed on his knees already shot, hands in the air yelling Don't
Shoot
Victim of the growing racism and hatred in America reminds us all
Of the constant vigilance required of decent people to defeat the worst parts of
the human soul
Freedom and democracy aren't born into a people, they are learned,
Won through struggle, preserved through the struggle of generations
And through the sacrifice of people like two Browns.
Photo: memorial at the armory building occupied by John Brown and his followers October 16, 1859 Creative Commons 2.0