A Profile: Soap Box Series - Leah Goodwin
In January of 2023, Leah Goodwin was appointed by California’s Governor Newsom to the California Arts Council. With her diverse background in both business and the arts, Leah Goodwin is…
Leah Goodwin - Poetry Soap Box Series
In January of 2023, Leah Goodwin was appointed by California’s Governor Newsom to the California Arts Council. With her diverse background in both business and the arts, Leah Goodwin is the President and CEO of Leah Goodwin Creations - Where Art and Soul Meet.
On Feb 24, 2021, in the tradition of the SoapBox orators of the women’s movement, labor movement, and civil rights movement, 16 artists from San Diego participated in Art Produce's Poetry Soap Box Series in early December 2020. The election had ended, the quarantine orders had lifted somewhat, then tightened the next day. Our community came out of quarantine, briefly, to share their life stories through poetry.
In 2015, Leah created the San Diego Experience of the Civil Rights Movement, an exhibition of banners which has been displayed in many venues around San Diego. The display contains a series of panels that acknowledges the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as well as honors San Diego’s leaders of the Civil Rights Movement.
Leah is an accomplished and published poet and writer, including significant contributions to the book by Merryl Goldberg entitled, “Teaching English Language Learners through the Arts.” Her recent honors include receiving a 2017 MOXIE Award from MOXIE Theatre for being a Woman of Grit and Determination and being one of the selected featured women in the “Beautiful, Brilliant and Brave: A Celebration of Black Women” exhibit for her work in arts and culture.
Roar
Resist oppression and racism with soul
The spirit of openness understanding and love
Roar like a lion
As we resist oppression and racism
Feel it in your spirit of openness
Understanding and love
Yes, it’s in your soul
It sounds like a lot
But it must be our goal
Times are changing
But the racism remains
It shows up when we aren't looking
Hidden in our hoodies
With tears in our eyes
We cry for Trayvon
And the justice system shows us
That racism is not gone
Resist oppression and take control
It sounds like a lot but it must be our goal
We are obsessed with being our best
And at times we don't realize
That we are being oppressed
Looked over for a job promotion
Ignored in a store
Stopped for driving while black
Do I need to explain some more
That mighty roar
Resist oppression and racism
That mighty roar
Is magnified by the many
As we stand together with one voice
We have a choice
We must do the work
Our soul demands it
Our individual spirit of openness
Understanding and love
Our soul claims it as a truth
Claims it as a calling
Claims this soul energy as the way forward
To resist oppression and racism
So we roar
With soul together
Knowing that the mighty sound of love
Will resonate throughout the world
One voice at a time
We stand tall and come
Until love wins
And this work is done
Resist oppression and take control
It sounds like a lot
But it must be our goal
Nurturing our soul, we put it to the test
Find love, be open and caring
It's hard to understand
That the power of love
It's in our own two hands
Reach out to a friend
Hey, smile to your foe
Soul power continues to keep the fire aglow
So we roar with soul
We roar with soul
And we stand up for truth
And we do not shy away from the fight
And we hold love as energy
Yes, the end is in sight
That mighty roar
Resist oppression and racism with soul
A spirit of understanding and love
Resist oppression and racism
With the spirit of understanding and with love
Resist oppression and racism
With the spirit of understanding and love
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