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Erased

Crowd at a protest, holding signs. Urban street setting with old buildings in the background.
 
We fight each day for respect.
And each time we think we’ve won
someone comes along and
snatches the victory from our hands,
as if our right to exist freely in the world
is something that can or should be
erased.
 
Today, is a new day,
in a new world,
just as was yesterday,
and just as will be tomorrow.
But the difference is today,
we have less rights.
We have fewer protections.
 
But I will not let myself have any less
voice.
I will not allow anyone to take my
voice.
My voice is my power, and my power
is my right.
 
Today is a new day,
in a new world,
just as was yesterday,
and just as will be tomorrow.
And today, my voice is strong.
my voice is stronger than it was
yesterday,
and my voice will be stronger
tomorrow.
 
Because I am choosing today,
through the fear,
the anguish,
the mourning,
the pain,
the anxiety,
and all the other feelings I am feeling,
I am choosing to speak:
Speak up.
Speak out.
 
Speaking is my right.
and until someone takes my voice,
I will continue to speak.
 
Today, I raise my fist in the air,
and I dare anyone who disagrees,
anyone who hates me,
I dare them to pry my voice,
my power, my very freedom,
From my
cold
dead
hands.
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