John, a sacrifice for our peace / may require the sowing of a seed / or the doing of a kind deed / to one of our brothers or sisters in need. / There’s power in being of service.
These are lines from one of my spoken word pieces. But they’re also the core of everything I do as Mayor of Hagerstown, and everything I promise to do if I’m elected to Congress. This is what’s on my heart as a poet, a neighbor, and an elected official.
There's power in being of service.
I rediscovered my childhood love of poetry after surviving a traumatic episode. Through this art, I’ve discovered the vocabulary to build bridges, challenge the status quo, and emphasize shared humanity – tools I’ll use to advocate for MD-06.
So I’m about to ask you to donate to my campaign for Congress. A dollar, five dollars, twenty dollars. Any cents you can give will help me make sense of our future, and change the kind of leader who’s sent to represent us. Can I count on you to chip in and power this movement? >>
When I perform spoken word, it’s not just my words I’m speaking. I’m lifting up the voices of my community. As I ask in one of the pieces I perform often:
Am I my brother’s keeper? Absolutely. …I keep my brothers for free.
That’s the difference between me and too many politicians: I care for free. Meanwhile, Congress is full of people who figured out how to put a price on “progress.” Me? I don’t take bribes for freedom. I don’t make trades for better tomorrows.
In fact,
I know a tribe that’s not blinded by Mister / and can’t be bought by the good old boys’ system. / And I’ve got your back – matter of fact / I’ve discerned the attack / I binded it up, and I sent it right the hell back.
See, I’m here to lead with love and integrity, but that’s not a payment the system was built to take, John. So I’m asking you to help lift my voice to tell a new story about what Congress can look like.
Right now, that means I need to raise $12,000 by tomorrow. I know for us regular people, that’s a lot of money, so I’m not asking lightly. But I do have to ask: Will you give whatever you can to help me bring my servant heart and poet’s mind to Congress, and truly make progress for the people? >>
In service and solidarity,
Tekesha
