“When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.”
― Nelson Mandela
“No one is more vulnerable to fear than a man who keeps another in bondage. He will do anything to prevent justice from rearing its head — for he knows well what he deserves at the hands of those he subjugates.”
― Jane Jensen, Sins of the Fathers
Photo by Morgan Dragonwillow
I have been following the news for Ferguson, Mo. and sharing on Facebook what I’ve been reading. I have long felt pulled to help in whatever way I’m able in this constant struggle between black and white and racism in America. Most of the time I don’t know what to do and stand quiet for fear of offending people. Often I have been unsure what to do accept treat everyone I meet as the person they are, a human with feelings.
I refuse to be quiet any longer.
I believe oppression of any kind is detrimental to our society. All of the divisiveness is eating at the soul of this country.
I stand with my heart open and I want you to know you have my support, love and cooperation, and my hope that we all can work together for positive change.
I believe the first thing we can do to help facilitate positive change is to be open to having conversations so that we can better understand each other. I believe there are misconceptions that are being perpetuated and the only way to clear it up is to start talking to each other and being able to ask questions without fear of being ridiculed or made to feel stupid for asking the questions.
I am open to answering any question anyone may have about me and my life whether it is about LGBT issues, being a woman, being a mother, being a grandmother, being a writer/poet, or being white.
I also believe it is past time that we let our voices be heard through the power of voting. If you haven’t registered since your last move, please do. Get out there and vote in the people that care about these issues and want to help create positive change. Enough is enough, let your voices be heard.
Poetry Prompts:
- Black and White
- What does racism mean to you, how does it affect you?
- Divisiveness or Diversity
- Standing up for what you believe in
Have you written a poem or prose regarding the conflict and protests in Ferguson, Mo.? If you have I would love it if you link it up in the comments below.
Morgan Dragonwillow: Rebel dancing with words, intuitive cook, recovering perfectionist, poet & author that (mostly) doesn’t let her fears get in the way of her passion for writing and creating. She is team leader at @StoryDam, creatrix of #OctPoWriMo, and you can find her at, A Poet’s Kitchen, cooking up simply delicious meals. She lives in Marietta, Ga. with her loving and patient partner, their dog that thinks she’s a princess, and the cat that reminds her that she isn’t.
You can find her at Google+
Purchase Wild Woman Waking Now on Amazon in Paperback and EBook.
“Sometimes poets write what we wish we could say, and they tell us what we need to know. The poems in Wild Woman Waking lead us to a place where we can proudly refuse to be “bent and broken”; instead, they document a journey to self-acceptance, peace, and understanding – where in a community of women, we celebrate and dance as Mud Women. We become women of spirit and keepers of our own keys.” ~Beth Camp
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