Here’s a LinkedIn post by James H. Faghmous, Ph.D. that’s worth sharing. Below is a spoken word piece I created inspired by the post.

“You don’t have the credentials.”

The most effective weapon white supremacy ever invented.

Tell me, what were Donald Trump’s credentials to be president?

Reality TV host? Failed casino owner? Serial bankruptcy filer?

What were Eric Adams’s credentials to be mayor of NYC?

Ex-cop who partied while the city burned?

What were David Ellison’s credentials to be CEO of Paramount?

Being a billionaire’s son?

But when a person of conscience wants to lead, suddenly “credentials” matter.

When a black or brown person speaks truth, suddenly we need to see their resume.

When someone challenges power, suddenly, experience is everything.

I’ve watched brilliant Muslims get told they need:
– More degrees
– More certifications
– More “experience”
– More proof they belong

While mediocre white men fail upward with nothing but a system hell bent on making them succeed.

Here’s what they don’t want you to know:

Every “credential” they demand was designed to exclude you.

Every hoop they make you jump through was placed there to exhaust you.

Every standard they set was created after people like you started succeeding.

The bar isn’t high because the work is hard.

The bar is high because they don’t want you to clear it.

But conscience doesn’t need credentials.

Truth doesn’t need a degree.

Justice doesn’t need permission.

You know what your real qualification is?

You give a damn.

In a world of opportunists, you have principles.
In a sea of followers, you have conviction.
In an era of silence, you have courage.

That’s your credential.

Stop waiting for their approval to do what you know is right.

Stop collecting degrees to prove what you already know.

Stop asking permission to serve your purpose.

The world needs people of conscience, not people with credentials.

What “credential” are they using to keep you from your calling?