Written By: Rikki Wales
In the dead of night, a pot of water on the stove, hatred and racism takes her soul down an unpaved road.
A black woman afraid, her heart filled with woe, and a family left with a story half told.
A knock on the door, a voice cold and stern, a trigger pulled a life lost with no return.
In the darkness of the night she fell, a black woman’s life taken by an evil spirit that belongs under the jail.
In shadows deep, a truth revealed. By a white cop’s hand,
a black woman lay breathless and body still.
Her skin was a canvas of strength and grace, a lawless act, a shot to the face by the law that’s supposed to protect us such a disgrace.
We pray that you are in a better place.
The streets echo with cries filled with sorrow and rage as another life is stolen but to others it’s just a typical day.
So, they say oh it’s just another black tragedy, another tragic casualty and they wonder why we are outraged.
Injustice strikes a heart laid bare her breath silenced in the night’s air.
Let our voices rise, let truth be told, no more lives lost in this cruel world where cops are protected by
badges they don’t deserve.
In her name we fight for change, for a world where no one suffers such pain.
Over and over the verdict is always the same. Hear her Voice Fights for Justice as we
scream her name.
The naked truth cuts deep and is left raw…Another life taken at no cost. Our entire
community of sisterhood shouts your name as we mourn her loss, “Sonya Massey” as we
look up in the sky and name your Star!
Written By: Shaka Shakur
SAY HER NAME!!!! Sista’s of the Struggle and Sista’s of the Yam, although you don’t get the credit, we see you.
Womyn of the Movement and the first ones to answer the call, although you don’t get the acknowledgment or accolades, we feel you. We feel your energy, your spirit and strength. Most of all, we feel your love even when We don’t know how to embrace it or reciprocate it.
It is you, who have sacrificed and held all past and present movements together. It is You who have been the backbone and power behind the throne, although not praised, saluted and honored as you should be.
We say your name!!!!
We scream your praise as you help Us heal our wounds and wounded spirit. Like the proverbial lioness who drags her kill back to the den for Us to feast. Although you’re weary and tired, although you’re not always strong and sometimes want your wounds and scars kissed, caressed with the salve of love and comradeship, we see you.
Although you’re forced to deal with the oppression of the enemy and the powers that be, sometimes We know that as men who has been schooled and indoctrinated in the art of patriarchy and male privilege/supremacy, we sometimes contribute to that burden. For that and on behalf of Us all, I apologize.
SAY HER NAME!!! For the: Assata Shakur’s Afeni Shakur’s Akili Shakur’s Winnie Mandela Eleanor Bumpers Ramona Afrika’s Pam Afrika’s Sandra Bland’s Breona Taylor’s Rakeia Boyd’s Angela Davis Marilyn Buck’s Laura Whitethorn Susan Rosenberg
Those who stepped up and for some who made the ultimate sacrifice. We thank You! We salute You and We appreciate You!
Written By: C. Henson
The Real Cost of Womanhood
In the midst of all the distractions and stereotypes facing women every day, it’s no wonder the cost of womanhood has changed. There was a time a few decades ago where women were judged individually and as her own entity. Now with the images and labeling that social media cast on them, it’s almost twice as hard to see them for who they ARE!
They are not all half-dressed, chasing a man with a bag or trying to be the next Kim Kardashian. Most women are
hardworking, dedicated to family, and looking for better. So why has the cost CHANGED??
It has changed because women are not holding each other accountable. Women are naturally expected to do everything and be everything while suffering from their own issues in silence.
I SAY NO MORE!!! Ladies you have to self-care and hold those around you accountable for the mis-stereotype and scrutiny that comes from others’ behavior.
Be willing to challenge your daughters, girlfriends, co-workers and those around you to be better. When a man approaches you talking crazy, ask him to speak to you as a woman.
It’s on you to change the narrative about you currently in society. It’s on you to embrace EACH ONE
TEACH ONE. Please do your part to change the narrative.
In Love and Solidary
C.Henson
Written By: Devel Wales
Priceless Woman
• I know for sure that your God’s masterpiece, • Cuz after he fashioned Adam, he surpassed his own mastery the moment that he crafted eve. • And after eve every woman since has been half a queen, • beautiful beyond comprehension so her other half’s a dream. • How could I breathe without your essence? • How could I be without you bringing out the best in me by just being in my presence. • I am incomplete without you present, • You are my rib so without you my heart is unprotected. • How can a King be a king without a queen next to him? • How can the moon shine without the sun reflecting it? • I look to the sky and see it alive with your testament, • Cuz every star is a woman that shows us all what perfection is. • In you I glimpse God’s magnificence, • A sliver of his brilliance that reveals his omnipotence. • Every stroke of his brush masterful in its sentiment • To bring about perfection manifested in the feminine. • I’m swimming in the infinite when I behold your feminine form, • Cuz God gives the world a miracle every time a woman is born. • Power and grace summoned in greatness and boldly adorned, • Shine from the face of every angel his greatness has spawned. • I’m in awe of you and mesmerized by all that you are, • I fall harder and harder in love with you every time that you open your heart. • I give you my all, for all of time I’m totally yours, • Cuz a man without a woman is hopelessly lost.
Written By: Chris Woodstone
If I Could Go Back in Time
“IF I Could Go Back in Time” I would always be the Voice that Never lied to you.
The whisper that gave good advice to you and the very Action to show you how worthy You -R-, all the time.
“IF I Could Go Back in Time”
I would never have been blind to your perfect Created Design because now I Know Heaven has been missing a part of its shine.
So many mistakes, “Only IF I Could Go Back in Time”
I would paint the perfect picture heart and scar. Show you how to be strong without the imperfections because of course you came from my rib-bone my opposite reflection, the no-good people detection the same six sense you all seem to be blessed with.
“IF I Could Go Back in Time” I would have never missed that Heavenly Blessing.
Princess to a Queen in a World made for you only.
Where tears would never Fall, and the elements would ride for you. The Sun, moon and stars would fall and die for you.
“Only IF I Could Go Back in Time”
You would never fear the future, because it too would be yours by design. “O How I wish I could Go Back in Time”
To become yours while you become mine, giving equal 100 percent Love and affection, protection beyond this physical. Wish the spiritual snake would try to whisper deceit to have us separated for I would have always been by your side, while the head of the snake lay at your feet.
“Dang, I wish I Could Go Back in Time” But Since I Can’t. This Day June 16h 2024 forward I promise I’ll show my sisters and daughters that true Love is Unique.
Written By: Nora Freeman
My vision of Unity includes everyone participating in building our culture. Imagine a body working at its best, regardless to how much emphasis is put on any one part it takes the whole to make the unit function properly. Man, Woman, and Child represent the most vital unit there is. A woman’s voice just like that of a man’s, is very important to be heard. It educates, it soothes, it encourages, and it manifests the soul of mankind. It makes aware that which is needed. In today’s society, women are forced to have an even louder voice because they’ve been called upon to pick up the slack. Unfortunately, in the craft work of a unified family, one of the vital pieces isn’t always available. So, for some women, assuming the role of head of household plus their regular roles as mother not to confuse the two or diminish the importance of either, adds an extra load to their already busy schedules. When it comes to advocating for a family member, be it husband, brother, son or father. Whether it be black or white or any other race. The unified family is very important in raising a nation, beginning with the youth who seem to suffer a great deal and the women who are overwhelmed with responsibility, by separating this union it weakens the power needed to build and evolve as a culture. The voice of a woman has always manifested that which is considered the voice of reason. Her voice engages with the sounds of nature and creates harmony to provide answers. Throughout history the wisdom of woman WOW’d the masses, W.O. W is very necessary to attract and maintain the attention of man. Yet, this is exactly what is taking place today. Women everywhere are wowing the legislatives, politicians, and government on behalf of men incarcerated, pleading with them to release them. Noone knows better, the significance of the assistance needed in raising young men or building a home. Respect is knowing and actually listening to the words that are spoken from the lips of the ones who are there and who have been there from many of our beginnings. I’m a man incarcerated and been basically on my own since my mom fell Ill and eventually returned to the essence. I know firsthand what I’m missing, and how significant the help of a woman has been and is. My mother’s voice was encouraging, whenever I felt like giving up, I would hear her sweet voice in my head saying, “baby keep going”, and I most likely would. Whenever I was upset and wanted to lash out, it was always my momma’s voice I’d hear saying” baby be smart, THINK”, and I would think about it and most of the time I decided a much more positive route. To say the least, it’s because of “her voice” that most men become humbled enough to rationalize and feel. It’s the reason wisdom is so understandable and why it can build or destroy a nation. When I HEAR HER VOICE, it translates to me LOVE, and just when I need it, I’m humanized. I’m better when I listen, and you will be too. PEACE, NORA. A.K.A, MAGNETIC
Written By: R. Dewalt
Our strength is not found in our hair or in our muscle, but our hearts that are connected to our women. Without the woman, we would have no strength. She is the heartbeat of all that we are. she is the ether that runs through our souls like the blood that run through our veins for without her there will be no us, we begin with her, (as our mothers) And we end with her as our wives.
She is the most unpaid unappreciated species in the world while at the same time she is the most valuable species known to man. Her contributions to the world cannot be measured. She equals the wind that blows the air that we breathe in the rays of sun that we enjoy. She is what covers us from the rain, reflects with us and helps us absorb our pains without her not one of us would remain.
It’s about time we give her props, her tokens of appreciations for her hard work. She is more valuable than a diamond worth more than the mines from which they came. It was her that ever gave us our names.
Sisters know your worth know the power you possess. Know that what you possess is more powerful than the most lethal bomb. You are so powerful that God allows only you to give life. However, every other species in the universe treats you like the queen that you were created to be, you must begin to treat yourself like the queens that you are. I think it rains sometimes because Mother Earth is sad that everyone and everything in the universe knows who you are except you.
The butterfly envies your beauty, yet she cries for you as well. Such a power that even the flowers try to imitate you. You are at the center of everything that God has ever created. You are the true love that everything that God intended for the world. You are the most masterful creator in the world.
There is no place of power that you are not. From the White House to Buckingham Palace. Like the light on top of the tower of a lighthouse that guides the seamen to shore, you are the light of the world that God strategically placed to guide men to heaven’s door.
Step up and be who you are who you were meant to be. Your brothers support you. Those of us who are real men are not intimidated by your work of intelligence. We are not competitors; we are the help of each other. You complement me like a diamond that complements your finger. Together, we complement the earth like a rainbow in full glow.
Your beauty is above the voice of Whitney, Aretha, Patty, or even Mariah. With the exception of God, no voice is as beautiful as yours. Even the heartbeat that gives life is not above the need for you. You are our queen; you are the heartbeat of all that we are. You are the blood that runs through our veins.