June 7

Today in 1099, the Siege of Jerusalem of the First Crusade began. When it was over, the invading Christians would indiscriminately massacre Muslims and Jews, including women and children, until they waded in “blood up to their ankles.” 

Today is the birthday, in 1943, of Nikki Giovanni, poet and activist, who died just a few months ago, in December. She articulated her identity and her hope as a Black Appalachian woman through her poetry, children’s books, and public work, and after the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007 comforted and inspired her community with her words. 

Today marks the death, in 1861, of Patrick Brontë, a pastor and author who was father of a family of authors, including Charlotte and Emily Brontë. He outlived all six of his children. He continued pastoring and community uplift his entire life. 

Today is a feast day for Chief Seattle, Suquamish leader who died on this day in 1866. He was instrumental in working for peaceful coexistence between white settlers and indigenous peoples, but was evicted by the city that bears his name after they passed a racially-exclusive ordinance. He is perhaps more famous in modern times because of a speech given in 1854 which has been appropriated and embellished until it is unrecognizable as his actual words. 

Reflection: 

Nikki Giovanni said:

One of my favorite poems is by Nikki Giovanni, called “Allowables”:

Prayer: Author of Existence, we know you write from a place of empathy. Help us to feel that love in our bones, so that your perfect love casts out all fear of difference, of change, of death, so that we may live eternal life right now. Amen.