William Matthews
Benediction: The Vision of Oasis by Eva Lewis
[Spoken Word: Eva Lewis]
My work will not be finished until there exists no community in wilderness
The ultimate goal is a world where every community falls in the category of oasis
Imagine that
Imagine a Chicago, a country, a world
Where there exists nothing but oasis
Imagine a world where the only thing we have to dodge on our side are raindrops
The bucket boys, the [lot?] they man, and the corner store owners are all seen as entrepreneurs
There are no potholes but fertile soil capable of cultivating produce that may feed an entire community
And there is no need to escape the hood, because the hood loves us just as much as we love it
There are four grocery stores within walking distance
Every school has the means to invest in their children
Every child has a chance, every house has a roof
Every person has a job fit to provide for their entire families
Health, cultivation, education, nourishment, and safety are all within reach
We don't live in this world, but we can
It is imperative that we hold each other accountable to make the vision of oasis a reality
And only then, after we cultivate bountiful land together
Will bullets not be necessary for survival
Thank you