Here’s a poem written by Andell McCoy. It’s based on the message she delivered at Saturday’s Black History Month celebration at the Highland Community Center.
In these coming days of cruel extremes I ask, Who are we destined to be? Forever slaves, or one day free? In conflict, chaos and confusion with growing depression, anger and delusion do we even know what we are fighting for? What makes us declare war on each other?
We share this earth. The water, air, food and minerals. We cannot let the splendor of this sacred place be taken for granted. Though conveniently identified by skin, we are much more alike from within. Promoting hate, violence and bigotry based purely on the skin color we see and allowing misconceptions, biases, myths and ignorance of each other to grow undermines our safety. Oppression of some is freedom for none. Building distrust keeps us all in the uncomfortable place of competition between the races. As systems and those at the top keep us divided we must be united in fiery pursuit of peace, equity, justice, freedom and liberty.
It causes me great sadness and brings tears to my eyes that this growing division is putting our democracy in jeopardy. The fight for our rights will demand constant attention and intention from all of us joined hand in hand. So in this moment with the handwriting on the wall, we must see the threats and retaliate. We must decide to either give up on the fight for truth, freedom of thought and freedom of speech or stand up, stretch and reach for our ideals in goodwilled defiance. We will have to choose to be more visible, all united for our common best. This is the reckoning, this is our test, for no one will be left unscathed. Will we band together across all demarcations?
Yes, we must, can and will. It’s been done before. Can be done again. We can’t give in to the darkness; we must choose the light. We can’t sit with wrong; we must stand for right. We are born of strength and resilience. Some want you to believe that “woke” is a bad word because they profit from our sleeping and weeping and weakness. It fuels their power to control and abuse us.
Stay woke!
Be respectful!
Seek understanding!
Stand tall through all!
Don’t fall!
Stay woke!
Be focused and aware, informed and committed, for these are desperate and important days.
Let us come together now and understand that peace and brotherhood is our only chance.