Jitu Brown "If We Must Die" by Claude Mckay

Jitu Brown, National Director of the Journey for Justice Alliance (J4J) is a long-time community organizer born on Chicago’s south side. He is a product of Chicago’s public school system and is a proud parent and husband. Jitu started volunteering for the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (KOCO), the oldest black-led organizing community-based organization in Chicago in 1991. He eventually joined the staff as Education Organizer in 2006 and organized in the Kenwood Oakland neighborhood for over 20 years bringing parents, students, teachers and community members together to collectively participate in the education system by developing various educational initiatives and battle back against efforts to systematically disinvest in, close and privatize schools in Chicago.
In his role as National Director for J4J, he leads an alliance of grassroots community, youth, and parent-led organizations in over 30 cities across the country demanding community-driven alternatives to the privatization of and dismantling of public schools systems. He has brought great energy and focus to the connection between the attacks on public education and the disempowerment of African American communities all across the country.
He was one of 12 parents, grandparents and community members who put their bodies on the line in a 34-day long hunger strike to save Walter H. Dyett High School in Chicago, the last open enrollment High School in the historic Bronzeville community. As a result of their gallant efforts, Dyett High School is the first closed school in the country that has re-opened as an open-enrollment, neighborhood school. His dynamic organizing in our neighborhoods, cities, and nationally for an equitable and just education system is based on a belief in the potential of all children and the rights of parents, youth, and communities to participate in all aspects of planning and decision-making.

[@ivydaniels5302]

Courage is not the absence of fear

[@Readdoctor1]

Bravo Jitu, for reminding people of the power of poetry,

[@TheBravekillah]

This is brilliant!
I'm going to try to use this with my students.
Sir Jitu - I hope that you continue to do great for our people.

[@ritathompson3594]

I love this my black brother. 🇯🇲

[@maikel1765]

Powerful rendition.

[@emmanuelbruyere6571]

⛲🥰

[@ShivamSingh-so9gm]

Noice

[@iserved8840]

If I must let it be for my GoD, my family, and my people !💪🏾💪🏾

[@seecharan]

I'm a gonna Noice
yo' Noiceness