I post a lot less personal writing here than I used too. The rudeness and quite frankly, (yes, I know, I’m going to get blasted for this) racist content of some of the comments got to me. Personally. So I took a very big step away from it all. However, today I read this article that got me thinking again, about the reasons why I am doing this in the first place. Discussion. Dialogue. Debate. I stated this in my very first post and that is what I still hope to acheive. I went to meet a friend today and as we talked about this whole thing I realised that, although I was threatened by those people, I am more scared that I might have been silenced. The article is called “Finding words to talk about Race” and let’s face it, we have to. If we can’t talk about these delicate issues than what are we going to do? Ignore it? Hope it will go away?
So I am going to post this song/poem I wrote awhile ago as a first step to getting back to my own voice. The relevance of this piece is that I wrote it for my sisters. (Two are white and one black: Make up your own story here). I believe it relates to this blog.
SISTERS
Ours is a hard and complicated love
Indifferent and painful love
No blood ties
That keep us together
Chances and misfortune brought us
Bind us
Blind and unspoken
We shared beds and tears
Growing up and going away
And growing old
All that is unsaid
Lurks around us
We smooth each other
Rub away the sharp edges
In case we cut ourselves
And bleed to death
We mop up each others tears
In case we drown
Sisters of our history
Not under the skin
The only way we know how
And I love you more than is possible
Just because I do
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Great poem!
I like what you wrote above too. You’ve made a cool little space here in this blog, it’s become a regular part of some people’s day. It’s because of your voice, and I miss it when it’s not around.
Keep your voice going as long as you can! Otherwise the racists will be the only ones talking.
I cannot even begin to tell you what these words and the thoughts of others mean to me. Thank you.
Very Well written and moving.
Continue to fight evil.
Though we might not agree on all moral aspects, I do not see how we could ever disagree that racism, in its inarguable forms is both irrational and, most of all, abhorrent.
ZARDOZ SAYS:
Sorry cant say much about your poetry
only the story told thru it .
I identified with the link of maria-luisa and her story though.
thanks
———-zardoz
What a beautiful poem – I felt so moved when I read it. Keep your voice strong.
Thank you very much eff and anonymous for you compliments.
Hi Zardoz, I’m glad you found the link as interesting as I did.
hello diva,
your writings set me thinking as usual. Don’t let the rabble cage your spirit, doesn’t your banner give the definition of how evil persists?
You mustn’t forget the world has its share of base people and they are usually afraid of what they do not understand.
I liked your poem, “Sisters”, and I like you too. You’re always ahead of those who snipe at you.
Thank you so much, wole oguntokun. I think it is so important that those of us that are trying to do something positive in the world, however small, support each other and encourage each other. Thank you.
I loved this poem–I have my own sisters, two related biologically, and three sisters because they are a part of me, and I’m a part of them, in a way that has nothing to do with parents and genetics. And it’s hard sometimes, reconciling all of my sisters together. But I keep trying, because without them, I stand alone and lonely.
Thanks Laura. Your comment really touched me and I love this line…
What a wonderful and thought provoking post, words that strike straight to the heart of the problem. Thank you for directing me to the article which I found to be outstanding. The one thing that you must not do is allow the racist bastards of this world to silence you (as to some extent I have) keep your voice, keep doing what you do best here, because it is people like yourself who make a difference. If you kick at the door for long enough it will open enough to get a foot in it. We who know and care are all behind you…