Here is a version of our collaborative community poem where you contributed your personal preference to make a social difference. Thanks to all 59 people who shared their concepts. You’re all in here. Peace. Greg.
“59 Breaths”
I will try to help you breathe
We all need air
I will try to help you breathe
To relieve the despair
What is to be
we don’t know
what the world will become
when the masks come undone
I will celebrate beauty each day
create
be strong not judge
allow people to
express their opinions
and not show disdain
I can't change the world but
I must bring light to my own circle start there
I will Listen
speak honestly to ignorance our white silence enables
Listen more carefully not jump to conclusions
Shut up
Listen to what my friends on the frontline are saying
And LEARN
try to Listen better
ask to hear the stories of my BLACK friends they know much that I don't
Listen more carefully not jump to conclusions
talk less
Listen pray more
smile
Listen offer kind words of encouragement
Police
In my younger days
I mistrusted
Police
after
a
few
run-ins
They
now
have
a lot
more
of
my
respect
Introspection
examine myself
examine my beliefs
question my assumptions more
see YOU as an individual
LEARN
remember
be braver and kinder
always try to be good there will always be good and evil
choose positivity instead of negativity
choose love over hate
do my best each day to remain positive
not blame or guilt others for being born white in order to affect social change
ask Mother Earth if we’ve been through the worst
Will SHE say when it’s done we will all live as one?
I must
always remember to make room for all
cherish my family everyday
not mock well meaning wypipo
remain resolved and committed to the fair treatment of my black and brown fam-
make sure my actions reflect that resolve and commitment
What is to be
we don’t know
what the world will become
when the masks come undone
Teach
educate others about experiences a person of color deals with EVERY DAY
lead my grandchildren by example
today
I contacted
3 campaigns
whose candidates are running
AGAINST
racist politicians
to phone bank for them
I also donated $money$
G e n tl y s p r e a d t h e t r u t h
be an agent of calm and peace
talk more with my kids
not tell the oppressed how to protest their oppression
p a u s e t h i n k t h e n r e p l y
write in song about our troubling times
educate others who haven’t seen what I’ve seen
who haven’t learned what I know
who haven’t had the chance
to care where I care
Politics and Media
live to see this country live up to the words of its founders
argue with people on the internet
not fall for being spoon fed what to think by the media
when the WMRW studio is open again
do quality
open-hearted
radio
be kind and
I will VOTE
Protect Speak out
stand up for the innocent
continue to support the cause of social and environmental justice
continue my work for food justice
bring local food to local food deserts
work to help all people access farming opportunities
continue to be outspoken for those without the platform
get their message out
I will not take racist commentators silently
Educate myself
do the work to become a more educated ally
enjoy the new way to savor friends and foster new ones
Volunteer
try to channel my energy in a constructive helpful way
make a more active effort to support black owned businesses
Take action
I asked Burton
about social change
he said
“ I would do the dinosaur’s laundry.”
Don’t know
if that’s something
you could work into a poem
but that’s
what
a dinosaur - loving
4-year-old
would do
Me DIJERON… I was TOLD…
“No eres como los ostros beaners.” “You’re not like the other beaners.”
Qué significa eso? What does that mean?
Sigo siendo un “beaner” I am still a “beaner”
Beaner… Beaner ...
Oye! Hey!
Soy un beaner! I’m a beaner!
“Tu no eres como ellos.” “ You’re not like them.”
“¿Eres la ayuda?” “Are u the help?”
“¿Trabajas muchas de estas fiestas?” “Do u work many of these parties?”
“No. Yo soy un invitado.” “No. I am a guest.”
Poetry’s First Responders
make my voice louder not smaller to fit white society
not let my voice be smaller to make everyone feel comfortable
open peoples’ eyes to experiences a brown person faces in everyday environments
speak up to peoples’ racial comments
speak up, even when (especially when) it makes other people uncomfortable
inform others of what they don’t see
continue the evolution process
make eye contact and say hello
greet every man I meet with “Sir” every woman with “Miss”
A lot of women don’t like to be called
“Ma’am”
follow through with good deeds and thoughts
continue to engage with people who
use veiled and unveiled racist statements
about people of color
invite them to
share food
have simple conversations
with people they fear
WAYS TO TEAR D O W N W A L L S
What is to be
we don’t know
what the world will become
when the masks come undone
MY mask comes undone
YOUR mask comes undone
EVERYONE’S comes undone
We all will try to help you breathe
We all need air
We all will try to help you breathe
To relieve the despair