It is a frustrating irony that my heart finds nothing worth writing about other than the painful, bloody fight for equality (still) raging in the US; and at the same time, my heart is too filled with anger, grief and tension to find words to write.
Here is one attempt. Just a few words that could not find completion written in the days following the release of the video of Ahmaud Arbery’s murder. I was born and raised in Georgia, and I think this is a sort of proclamation that we do not have to become what our social environment and our history might dictate.
Dear Dr. Angelou
Somehow
a global pandemic
and the war against “other”
have become bedfellows
And the place of my birth
is synonymous with murder…again…
And yet, I love
15 May 2020
For too long, it has been the challenge of people of colour to rise in spite of a system rigged against them. White people, please, we must learn to love humanity more than we love privilege.
Linking with Poets & Storytellers United.
Copyright protected by Digiprove © 2020 H. Hennenburg
It is as if the two birthed the worst. And no one can take our love away but with the strike of one letter we can lose the right to live.
And yet … I too have love in my heart. I called Minneapolis home for 24 years, my heart aches for its people .. my friends .. my son who is still there.
We can only hope that some good change comes out of all of this. I hope your family is safe and well and that justice can be brought about for George Floyd.
I feel your pain, Heather. I have been brought to a deep, interior silence by recent events, and the discouragement of the last few years that have offended my spirit in every way. I grew up during the civil rights struggle. I have been writing for civil justice and human rights since I was fourteen. At 74, I did not expect to be living through this overt racism and ugliness, incited by someone who clearly does not have the character to lead. There is a festering wound and it will take inspiring leaders to lead us through – sadly, the one who could best do that has already served his term. And yet, we love. I was heartened today by the policemen in some cities, who took a knee, who took off their riot gear and joined the protesters. Respect. The only way forward.
Yes, Obama is deeply missed and I too was moved by the sight of the officers joining the protest against police brutality and showing their respect.
It is so sad that after all these years one of the most advanced counties in the world still has many citizens that cannot abide people of coloured skin. There are many countries that are quite happy to be made up of races from all over the world. Just what is the USA’s problem?
I understand your pain, H. It breaks my heart to witness everything that’s happening around the world. We can only hope and pray that it gets better.
Bleak times indeed! How could one not be angry? But hopefully we are learning from it all and may yet be able to change.
I watch everything that happens in the United states and shudder at the lack of unity. It breaks my heart. We have our own problems on our little island, but feel the reverberations across the planet. Something has to give. I’m just afraid what it might be.
I share your fear, Kim.
The events that seem to be occurring are horrific. Hope love and kindness are the only way forward. I could feel the pain in your words
nice work. i could sense your call to duty in it. well-expressed. thanks for sharing.
A shamefully painful affair: Pandemic/racism.
Wish we as writers could write such out of reality
Thanks for dropping by my sumie Sunday Heather(saw your name mentioned in a comment)
Much✏love
Your introduction tells exactly why it is so difficult for me to write about the current racism monster. I have so much to say that I feel the words will explode out of me, but they are too hot to hold in shame. Every time I start, I have to stop or… I don’t know what that “or” might bring. Still, in the I am glad that I, too, love.
Sometimes, maybe at all times, love is all we really have. I wish that every human understood that and understood that it is more than enough.
Beautiful … so poignantly emotive … and truly sad … to think of one’s place of birth as a place of death … as I came to the last line, I noticed … I had a lump in my throat. This is a stunning piece of writing … an important piece … for me: it is up there on that (albeit: crowded) pinnacle with your best work.
Thank you so much, Wendy. I was unsure of this one, because it felt so incomplete. Just couldn’t get all the feelings out. Still can’t. I really appreciate your kind feedback.
And we in the distance look on in dread and unhappy amazement.
It’s hard to love our country right now, and yet it’s hard not to love our country.
Dear Heather, I echo the sentiment in your first paragraph. My heart too is filled with anger and sadness. Both your poem and commentary are heartfelt and important. I absolutely love, the closing line “And, yet I love.” Because regardless of imperfections, we should be able to love.