Salute The Black Sisters by Sandra Pollock
I’ve been asked to share this poem which is included in my soon to be published second book of poems. So here it is.
Audio:
Salute The Black Sisters
Here we are looking into the future.
Eyes bright, mind alert, hope ignited.
Here we stand shoulder to shoulder.
In this moment of time.
A month’s recognition, for centuries of untold labour and burden.
Still, courage engaged. Confidence emboldened.
By the hope that our tomorrow will be better, Starting today.
Every day, Equality cries, “Celebrate our sisters.
“Those matriarchs of movements, long ignored and forgotten. Over-written.
“Salute our sisters, who stand today in the gateway of the almost forgotten.”
How will our history be written? It is being written now,
Within the pen of decision-making held in your hands.
To empower a better future, we must recognise where we are today,
And what actions and inactions we all share that brought us here.
No great platitudes on whimsical soliloquy can bring the future that makes us all free.
If woman – any woman, the black woman – is not free to be,
Then none are free to be. Don’t we all come from she?
Mother, Bearer of all who is humankind, humanity?
Salute the brave black sisters,
who, while still bearing children to slavery, Blows, rejections, abuse, and poverty,
Forge through. Using her wits and intelligence. Taking a stand. Holding the right of freedom gripped
So tightly in her hands that her veins are made to bleed –
Along with her back, her mental health, her physical health, and her well-being.
Each day she still feels the whip that keeps her down. Opportunities withheld.
Promotions passed over.
Ideas stolen. Servitude enshackled.
‘C’ suite roles blocked, and benefits forbidden.
Yet, hear her cry,
In streets, in homes, in marketplaces, in offices, and businesses, In creative and innovation arenas,
Creating her own spaces to shine.
History will forever tell her story of resistance, resilience, Emboldened,
And empowered with a life source that can never be put out.
It has and will travel through each generation.
Passed down through the DNA.
In every age, she is there.
This future we seek, and hear calling to us, Is her voice.
A song she forever sings. The voice of freedom.
True freedom that recognises her humanity – Black people’s humanity.
Her right to be, in each place, at each table, at each level, In each space and time.
Because her gift is given just as those held by any other,
To powerfully declare truth and justice to all humankind.
She is, and will always be, the voice of wisdom.
She is made of a black skin that shines.
Salute the black sister with more than just words,
But with value, respect, recognition, support, opportunity, and equal pay.
Amend the past by how you treat her today. Salute my black sisters.
