“I was here before I came and after I go, I will still be here.”
(Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, October 4, 1942 - July 16, 2024. Activist, cultural historian, artist.)
I was a young teenager the first time I heard Sweet Honey in the Rock sing. I was instantly addicted: Lyrics, harmonies, rhythms, artistic brilliance, dedication to justice, vision, cohesive energy. They had me by the heart on the very first chord.
Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, one of the founding members of the group passed away last Tuesday. I am compelled to share my tribute to her, with you.
I saw them perform live when I was a freshman in the Conservatory at Oberlin College. There were a whole lot of people there who were clearly, demonstrably unhappy about my pink face being in the audience, knowing every word of every song. I didn’t yet know the full truth of why my heart cried out this way. I just knew it did.
It was one of the countless times where I have consciously wrestled with being respectful of others' needs while remaining true to myself. It’s a good wrestle. I’m sure it will keep happening.
“Ella’s Song” became my intimate companion at that concert in Finney Chapel at Oberlin in 1984. It’s come to me again and again and again in the many years since. It strengthens me from the inside, reminding me that the battle for mutuality, respect and dignity for all is the mission of a powerful, indomitable “we.”
This is not a tiny voice that’s easy to dismiss.
I was reminded of this again on January 21, 2017. I was at the Women’s March in DC. It had literally been a “Women’s Stand” for hours, as the entire National Mall was packed too tightly for people to “march” anywhere!
As the crowd thinned toward the end of the day, we finally started walking. I was more hobbling than walking as I was in quite a lot of pain, but my petty pain was nothing compared to what people have endured through the years, fighting for this vision. I would have crawled the route if I had to.
Then the song started to go up:
“We who believe in freedom cannot rest!
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes!
We who believe in freedom cannot rest!
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes!
“Struggling myself don't mean a whole lot, I've come to realize,
That teaching others to stand up and fight
is the only way my struggle survives.
“I'm a woman who speaks in a voice
and I must be heard,
At times I can be quite difficult,
I'll bow to no man's word.
“We who believe in freedom cannot rest
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes.”
I had just spent literal hours listening to women (and some men, as well as some non-binary people,) of every age, from a myriad of cultural and spiritual backgrounds, all united around a single cause: Uphold the rights of all of the humans. This had been Dr. Johnson Reagon and “Sweet Honey in the Rock’s” plea since 1980 and long before.
Don’t get me wrong - I felt a number of squishies about this song being used in that space. The Women’s Movement has historically done a terrible job of listening to the voices of those who are not cis-het, white and with means. The Movement has used the gifts of marginalized people without supporting their voices in the dialogue time and time again.
I felt and continue to feel squishies about the bizarre truth that these words from 1980 are still relevant, still as yet achieved. This lays on top of songs like Marvin Gaye’s, “What’s Goin' On” from 1971 still being relevant today. And those lay on top of the needs expressed in songs from the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s and 60’s still remaining unaccomplished.
How are we still here?
But the powerful truth of these words, of this song, can burn away the BS and sharpen us to continue toward the goal. I don’t understand why it is so difficult to uphold the basic rights of all of our people. What stands in the way of love and respect expressed through justice?
I challenge us all to continue to ask and answer that question. Then take those answers and create sustainable change. This is a part of how Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon lives still today, even though she has left her physical body.
Dr. Johnson Reagon, thank you. You said you couldn’t rest until this justice comes. May we help you come to that place of peace by honoring your legacy.