America . . .
Since our society’s conception
You have looted the Black body.
Take, rape, stripped us bare to our core, while you feast, prosper, stay safe, and ignore.
All the blood you’ve shed, lives left dead, children unfed so that you live free in this claim of inheritance for liberty and justice for all?
The “all” but not the ones that look like me . .. .
What homage of you should I keep or rights to justice can I claim,
Where every day in our country
Countless injustices go unclaimed
And hashtags of new names flood our feeds and my eye ducts.
Rundown, brutally beaten, unconsciously you kill my people.
While we worship on pews, take runs, or dare rest trying to find peace in the privacy of our own homes . . .
When will you leave us alone?
Free of your limitations and control?
Lies deeply crafted, smokescreens carefully placed to make me think it’s me and my race,
While you gather and protect blue powered-white-privilege clenched tight around your neck.
Closer than that cross that hangs in the middle of your chest
That bleeds out red blood
For all God’s children . . .
America . . .
Our streets and hearts are on fire
The people are begging you to listen and understand.
What’s more American than hot dogs, the Fourth of July, and Uncle Sam?
What’s more American than baseball?
A dead Black man
A Dead Black MAN
A DEAD BLACK MAN.
Herein lies the tale of two cities—of two realities.
Unless you choose to help build a new one?
‘Cause our hands are full from cleaning up your mess.
Yet we are still outreppin #blacklivesmatter at the front of protests.
America . . .
The place where our majority cares more about property than people.
Target’s instead of those being targeted?
You never fully shared your wealth or welcomed of us as one of your fellow country members.
Unless we sat with both hands held high and surrendered, docile and nice like a good little -“nig@%*.”
Ahhh . . .
That word you gave
Yeah . . . that’s been our inheritance
As we were taught to stay silent, bear the lashes, and quietly flinch
While you whipped on . . .
Tell me what would you do
Face to face with a Goliath who
400 plus years keeps running after you and yours?
How would you fight to breathe again?
Pick up a stone or stick out a cheek . . . .
Velynn is passionate about the liberation and healing of Black women, BI-POC communities and faith-based organizations. Velynn brings over 20 years of non-profit, community engagement and anti-racist facilitation to her practice. Steeped in empowering and elevating the most underserved and underrepresented communities and families in Oregon and throughout the country– Velynn understands the unique challenges and constraints facing the most vulnerable and marginalized, Velynn supports leaders and institutions in restructuring and reimagining more equitable and inclusive spaces in both being and doing the work.
Velynn recently launched Roots and Remnant Consulting, a space that works with leaders and organizations to support Racial Affinity, DEI initiatives and Restorative Justice practices that centers on healing and empowering Black and Bi-POC leaders, staff and communities. Velynn continues to remain the Founder and Director of Faith and Equity, a faith-based collective equipping Christian communities to disrupt, unpack and dismantle white supremacy culture.
Velynn loves the smell of fresh rain, the joy found in Gospel music, and cooking big meals for Brown Sugar Inc.and her beloved Sistah-Girlfriends. Early mornings she sketches poems on napkins, inches towards her upcoming memoir, and dreams up plans to create a more loving and just world.
- Post-Reflections on the Buffalo, New York Shooting Massacre - May 25, 2022
- A Poem Called Freedom - February 26, 2021
- America Looted The Black Body: (RIP George Floyd) - July 30, 2020