June Jordan

Everything’s a River “We will not die trying to stand up: we will live that way: standing up” (361), states June Jordan in “Many Rivers to Cross.” Addressing women, this excerpt shows the feminist point of view of Jordan’s essay. This is the theme of the entire essay, which she revolves around her mother. She explains in the end that the essay “honors” women, all women: Mrs. Hazel Griffin, her cousin Valerie, herself and …

…good, but because they were weak.” (360). She feels women should not be “good” or weak as she would say, and if they were, she would extend herself to help them. For all those who were “trying to get up”, she would help them stand up (for themselves). There are endless rivers, it’s how you choose to cross them that makes you who you are, whether you’re standing or just trying to get up.