This summer I attended a political poetry workshop which was facilitated by Amanda Johnston, an amazingly gifted and insightful poet and a Cave Canem Fellow.  This was my outcome from that experience, and I was recently given the opportunity to present this prose to Bree Newsome , while she was visiting my Alma Mater. What an honor indeed

For Bree Newsome:

The symbol that provokes angst, fear, hatred and oppression

to MANy,

A banner of historical significance, honoring  “ confederate forefathers”

met an unlikely opponent.

A petite, black woman , climbed up - not danced or gyrated on that pole,

risking danger, and jail, removed something  probably better suited

in a museum along with a dead, dry cotton boil.

Than to unfurl and glide weightlessly- bearing the painful weight of subjugation,

misery, and injustice

In front and above a government building.

Just as Maya Angelou proclaimed. “ And Still I Rise...”

comes to mind, inch by inch as she made this historical ascent.

Fully aware, moving purposefully higher,knowing that upon her descent she could face scrutiny,incarceration, indignation.

Thighs squeezing, heart pounding, breath quickening.

Up, up, muscles tighten, reaching up,

she snatched it down.

She snatched Mammy nem from Massa’s kitchen and washroom,

She snatched Uncle nem from the cotton fields,

She snatched Sista nem from the Massa’s bed…

Degradation replaced by  deliverance from oppressive dispensation

An Original Macawa Creative Expression

History Lesson, up close and personal

I have been so blessed. In the past four years I have completed my AA with honors in journalism and my BA with double major in English Creative Writing and Africana Studies. I have walked the warm sands of the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean on the coast of West Africa, and tasted the sweetness of Mother Africa from the bounty from her earth and sea. I have walked the trails that captured Africans walked, bled, cried and even died on. I have smoothed the rich shea butter and bathed with authentic black soap. I have met African chiefs and their families. I was even given the name Ama Dzifa meaning I was born on Saturday, and  " my heart is at peace, or serenity. 

I have even walked to cobblestones streets of Madrid, and Oviedo Spain. I excitedly ventured into a land and culture that I was unfamiliar with. I walked into towns  It was exhilarating and a totally awesome experience. I am forever grateful to be able to have been afforded these opportunities. I dined on delectable regional dishes and walked into architectural masterpieces, some built in the year 848. I was so high in the Pico de Europa mountains that I believe that I could have reached up and touched Gods toenails. In hindsight if I was still tied down to a low paying grueling job, I would have missed out on these opportunities. 


When I reached out to my professor that gently guided me through my journey of " finding your niche and value through knowing your history" because I was considering grad school, she made a wise and insightful observation/comment:
"Of course you know that I am your biggest supporter as it relates to grad school, but I wonder if your desire to go back has more to do with the fact that you are used to being busy all the time and you are energized by staying busy and active?  I think you will find your niche, but it may just take you a moment.  Remember, you were the one that taught us all about "age-ism!"