How’s it going y’all? So, to start off this post I’d like to say this is my blog and my opinions. I’m well aware people may not agree with them; however that’s the beauty of the 1st amendment with freedom of speech. I’ve been tracking the news recently and to be honest? I essentially had to just force myself to not look at certain things. I’m aware that a man named George Floyd was brutally murdered by an officer of the law.
I’m aware all the officers have been fired. The officer responsible for Mr. Floyd’s death is being charged with second degree murder and his fellow officers are being charged with aiding and abetting second degree murder. This tragedy should never have happened, much is changing in the world and honestly I’d have never imagined I’d be dealing with this level of racism and horror in my late twenties.
While I am aware there is video footage of this incident I refuse to watch it. Not because I’m shutting my eyes to the situation but because I don’t want to witness an innocent man being murdered. Those officers aren’t worthy of being seen anywhere other than behind bars. There are many things I’ve read in my life including Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, Driving Miss Daisy and so very much poetry.
Poetry is intersteng in that it allows people to speak their minds. Words are like blades; they can hurt, empower, change the world even. With everything going on in the world as a writer I decided during this time to re-read some of my favorite poets’ works. There’s an amazing poet, an amazing woman.
Maya Angelou….this woman had an incredible life and honestly I wish I’d have had the chance to meet her. Unfortunately she passed away in 2014; her works however have helped shape some of my language as a poet. I’ll forever be thankful for that. There’s a poem that is likely one of her most well known works; she actually released a book with the same title. And still I rise; it is quite frankly an incredible piece though all of her work is simply mind blowing.
I decided that while yes, I am a white guy and I haven’t gone through anything like the black community has. That as a writer, as a poet I have a duty to speak my mind. I’d like to think in some way Mrs. Angelou would be smiling knowing that her work inspired a young white man in his late twenties to speak up through poetry about the injustices going on today.
With that in mind this is a tribute poem, to Mrs. Angelou and the entire black community. The poem is titled Black Lives Matter so here we go.
Repressed. Voices silenced with riot gear and pepper spray; I know for a fact Jesus wouldn’t act this way. We all bleed the same shade; it has never been okay to make others feel afraid.
White men in power, with bodyguards unflinching. It’s far past time we stopped the lynchings. When nobody listens and nothing changes why act surprised when this enrages?
Blanket statements and marginalizing people; police clearing peaceful citizens so the Trumpkin gets a photo op by church steeple. The news every day seems sadder and sadder; it’s time we speak with one unanimous voice #BlackLivesMatter
I’ll leave y’all with an interview from Mrs Angelou. I feel that she’d like to have some of her wisdom shared with others and honestly having read a good deal of her work I feel that her words still have the power to change things and prompt people to think about things differently.
Rapha Yada my friends,
Richard
Holy Water, Burning Man 