Community stalwart Venice Williams offers some sage advice after Election Day. (NNS file photo by Adam Carr)

Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service invites community members to submit opinion pieces of 500-800 words on topics of interest to central city Milwaukee. To send a submission for consideration, please email info@milwaukeenns.org. The views expressed are solely those of the authors.

You are awakening to the 

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same country you fell asleep to.

The very same country.

Pull yourself together.

And, 

when you see me, 

do not ask me

“What do we do now?

How do we get through the next four years?”

Some of my Ancestors dealt with 

at least 400 years of this 

under worse conditions.

Continue to do the good work.

Continue to build bridges not walls.

Continue to lead with compassion.

Continue the demanding work 

of liberation for all.

Continue to dismantle broken systems, 

large and small.

Continue to set the best example 

for the children.

Continue to be a vessel of nourishing joy.

Continue right where you are.

Right where you live into your days.

Do so in the name of 

The Creator who expects 

nothing less from each of us.

And if you are not “continuing” 

ALL of the above, 

in community, partnership, collaboration?

What is it you have been doing?

What is it you are waiting for?


Venice Williams is director of Alice’s Garden and The Table. She is also a lay minister, teacher, healer and facilitator. 

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