The Chronicle News
Feb 13, 20173 min
My people, my people, oh how I long for solace,
for compassion, for a true freedom that's real
A freedom that reflects the genuine embodiment of my people,
who remain today nothing less than ideal.
When I reflect back to the history, our history...
the one of slavery, sacrifice, suffering and pain,
I'm instantly reminded of the strength of the human spirit
exhibited by my people even way back then.
So, even though we fought against disease, starvation,
Hatred, deprivation, deep in the bowels of the slavery ship...down in the hole.
Even then we fought back with our only weapon, our lives; yes some gave up, many resolved to even give up their souls.
Some of us decided that even though the shackles
Pulled, ripped and tore the flesh from our brittle bones
We'd not let these evil villains steal our desires
and yearnings to just get back to our beloved home.
Some of us wouldn't let this vileness dampen our spirit,
Dampen our resolve to make it through the night
Our strength rose up to this occasion
We mustered up the will, the tenacity, the boldness to fight.
We rose up, through the scent of decaying flesh,
through the stench of rot, which brought tears to all our senses
We rose up then to shoulder the burden
of the strange and atrocious way of life, though we yet
Await true recompenses
We rose up then, for we were not born into slavery,
that suffering, that demeaning characterization of the people we are
We rose up to show the world we are survivors, who handle the worst things thrown our way, handling ALL bull/crap/shit like the survivors we are!
It still remains, you know, covertly subtle...the hatred,
the injustice and the wrongful killing and dying of black folk
We've yet to exonerate some evils from our yesteryears;
That vile sickness of which many have spoke.
Yet, I'm so grateful to be their heirs, to be the heirs
Of such a strong people and live in the times we now live.
History should not be lived again; a rich price was paid.
We have no shackles, so it's time to reach deep
Into our coiffeurs and honestly build.
Build our bodies, build our future, build our legacy, build our minds,
Build whatever we need to now with the younger
Generation to sustain us throughout time.
I know, history cannot be lived again, but I say
we cannot let our future repeat such a history as that...
not willingly, not accidentally.
We must rise up and give of ourselves so as not to repeat
what we've grown to dislike so, and dislike intentionally.
We must rise up! Young Folk...Get energized to make a bright future brighter
We must rise up! Older Folk...Get creative to ensure challenges become lighter
We must rise up! Everybody...Sisters, Brothers, Fathers, Mothers!!!
We must rise up! to develop, then give of our talents :
Our time, Our wisdom, Our voices,
Our thoughtfulness, Our finances, Our boldness, Our choices
We must share with each young person:
Our beliefs, Our goals, Our energy, Our creativity
We must utilize our dynamic and ever upward mobility
The buck stops here with us, folk!
We, are the future our courageous ancestors died for...That's no joke.
So RISE up my brother, my sister, All young folk!!!
Rise up to take your rightful place.
The place that challenges us all to be our best
and take the lead for our race!
We are the generations to make
a different type of humanitarian experience.
We are who we've been waiting for y'all,
To take ACTION even when it ain't convenient
To make this Brave Bold Statement with expedience!!