Thoughts On A Nation

• Posted on Jan 5, 2022

This was originally penned in January 2021 in the aftermath of the insurrection at The Capitol.

Here is something that this nation confirmed for me these last couple of weeks that I already knew-No matter what this country does to Black Folks, no matter what indignities we endure, we as a collective hold on to the hope of this place. I marvel at our faith and endurance. It is otherworldly, and it is my opinion that America’s biggest mistake is to not get on its knees and reconcile with the fact that WE are its best thing. That would be counterintuitive. Wouldn’t it? She says sarcastically. It is our blinding faith and our humanity that have helped to make this a kinder, gentler nation. We are literally and figuratively this country’s clean-up crew. I’m so over it, but I implore us all to recognize what is right before our eyes. Their story is all lies. The time is drawing near when this deplorable injustice is becoming clear to everyone that can accept it.  As our ancestor, Marcus Garvey, said, ”Up You Mighty Race!” The veil has dropped, and now what?

 My 5-year-old self fights to hold on to the faith and spiritual fortitude of the lightworkers of the ’60s. They believed in this nation’s collective conscience.  My grown woman self looks side-eyed at everything coming because I am clear about the depths of this country’s depravity, even though I still find myself trying to wrap my brain around it.

 I ask The Creator and my Ancestors to continue to instill peace and a sense of purpose in me. I ask that my soul march on even when I don’t trust the words coming out of anyone’s mouth because we can’t build on something with a faulty foundation. We are making an effort, but the cracks and instability always rear their ugly heads. 

This change we seek will take an unraveling, a bearing of one’s soul, both scary and warlike in its intervention. 

These are some of my thoughts on a nation that has never told the truth. These are some of my thoughts on the heroic people who have forced it to reckon with itself. I pray for our souls, and yes, I pray for the only land that I have ever called home. I will be honest and admit that I no longer believe in its long-held promise,  but my hope lies in the will of the people who have been unwilling to let this injustice break them.