Whether we are moving

toward or away from our soul

is the acid test

of mankind’s state of civilization,

its smallest common denominator: me.

My blackness knows it is time to fight

I feel my blackness taping its hands,

exercising, getting in shape

to ensure it passes with distinction

the anticipated tests along the way.

My humanity knows it is time to unite,

oppose people in power

who control by dividing the multitudes

through racial myths based on contempt

for others surrounded by casualties

and pain, determined to survive, even thrive

along with the next wave of warriors

proud to stand together

to change the world for the better for all.

If there is a neck to be choked

be it on the body of racism

whose demise will help free

white people who accept the demands

of a myth, which to be kept alive,

requires that they hide

their fear

their guilt

their shame

their humanity.

Ron Howard is a photographer, painter, poet and the current President of the Manayunk-Roxborough Art Center (MRAC), an art and humanities center in Philadelphia, which hosts many SVJ events. Along with his talents as a photographer, visual artist and writer, and his appreciation of the arts, Howard has brought his non-profit organizational development and international institution building skills to the MRAC. He was Chief Operations Officer for the Opportunities Industrialization Centers International (OICI) for more than thirty years and served from 2004 to 2007 as the organization's Acting CEO, prior to his retirement in 2007. The global OIC movement was started in Philadelphia by Rev. Leon H. Sullivan.