Words have the ability to hurt, condemn, inspire, rekindle hope and instill pride.

"At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed. Oh! had I the ability, and could I reach the nation's ear, I would today pour out a fiery stream of biting ridicule, blasting reproach, withering sarcasm, and stern rebuke. For it is not light that is needed, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake. The feeling of the nation must be quickened; the conscience of the nation must be roused; the propriety of the nation must be startled; the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed; and its crimes against God and man must be denounced."

from Frederick Douglass. Complete speech here.

However, Hilda's writing above (both pieces) brought to mind an exchange I had with a friend two decades ago. Joe had asked me what I perceived to be the greatest problem facing the world. I replied, "Nuclear weapons." I asked him what he thought. He replied, "Poverty." I asked why he thought that to be more 'urgent' than nuclear weapons. He said, "Because for poor people, the bomb has already dropped."

Indeed. Racism, poverty, institutional hatred: They are political acts. Sadly, indeed.