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February 25, 2021

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en temps de peste

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Protesters, 7 with a Golden Shovel

  • June 10, 2020
  • 12:31 pm
  • DC
We should be cool,/ they said. They must understand who we/ are. It is time for us to go all the way left.
4-1

Yvette J. Green

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Photo by Elijah Pittman

Protesters, 7 with a Golden Shovel

After Gwendolyn Brooks

https://infectionhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Protestors-7-with-a-Golden-Shovel.wav

They told us we

were wrong to burn down real

stores and communities. We should be cool,

they said. They must understand who we

are. It is time for us to go all the way left

We will destroy systems and schools

Of thought. They underestimate who we

are. We will no longer lurk.

We will be out early, we will be out late.

We are strong. We are loud. We

are here. We strike.

We will no longer take the crooked with the straight.

Say their names. Fuck tha Police. We

Sound off. Lift every voice, we sing.

We have bricks, fireworks, and their sin

We take back our blues, we

take back our jazz

Understand: this is our June.


 

A week in American life

https://infectionhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/A-Week-in-American-Life.wav

Christian Cooper was verbally assaulted, threatened through a 911 call that could have been fatal. A white woman falsely accused Cooper of harassing her while he was bird watching in the park. Because black masculinity is the threat even during a passive, yet powerful activity: connecting with the natural world he lives in.

Jimmy Fallon’s comedic Chris Rock costume (in blackface) from 20 years ago resurfaced in the form of a video. Jamie Foxx said “let this one go, there are bigger fish to fry…#changecourse*.” Can you untangle these threads, can they be separated in these United States?

George Floyd was murdered by white supremacy’s knee to his neck and a system that strong arms its citizens. To breathe for him, to choke America, they burned down an almost completed apartment development, set alight a Target and an Autozone; a challenge to a power they lack. And a day later a police precinct. To expose potent rage. Rage. This is not a reprimand. This is fire.

My 16 year old black son wept in his father’s arms.

Fifty-eight years ago in The Fire Next Time, James Baldwin told his nephew, “This is your home, my friend, do not be driven from it; great men have done great things here, and will again, and we can make America what America must become.”

I do not know if I can tell my son the same.


*McCarthy, T. (2020, May 28). Jamie Foxx defends Jimmy Fallon over ‘SNL’ blackface controversy: ‘This one is a stretch’. Retrieved May 28, 2020, from https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/jamie-foxx-jimmy-fallon-snl-blackface-controversy

Yvette J. Green
A native of Nashville, TN, Yvette J. Green has lived in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. for the last 20 years. A proud mother of two black sons. She completed her BA at Xavier University of Louisiana and MA in English at UMCP.  New to verse, her first poems have been published in Indolent Books: What Rough Beast, 45th Parallel Magazine, Isacoustic* and are forthcoming in Hive Avenue, and The Mark Literary Review. She asks that you donate to Capital Area Food Bank. IG: @yvettemuses Twitter: @alfabetismo_yg

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8 Responses

  1. Njonjo Baham says:
    06/13/2020 at 9:34 AM

    Powerful and deep, this week in American Life spoke to my fears. One of losing my before I can return to my family by the end of the day. And my biggest fear of knowing that my children will be persecuted because they are black.

    Ms. Green’s words speak to my soul

    Reply
  2. Deidra Lyons says:
    06/13/2020 at 11:38 AM

    Beautifully written, this author gave a riveting story from first person narrative. Thank you for bearing witness to
    this and so many other moment’s that often go untold. We will not be silent or silence. We need ever form of
    fighting ; to as you said dismantle these schools and structures that exists to oppress.

    Reply
  3. Loretta Greeen says:
    06/13/2020 at 3:00 PM

    I saw peaceful protests work. I saw laws change.
    But after all this time too much is the same.
    You have eloquently written about destruction so we can build anew and take deep breaths of a new day.
    Thank you

    Reply
  4. Rosemary Drummond says:
    06/15/2020 at 1:57 PM

    It’s unfortunate that we must have these kinds of conversations; but, they are necessary.
    James Baldwin spoke truth! This is my home. I am not from someplace else. I am home. I’m not leaving. I’m not asking anyone’s permission to let me stay. That is not theirs to give!
    Great job Jennifer! Keep up the good work of being vocal!

    Reply
  5. Jolecia Brown says:
    06/15/2020 at 2:15 PM

    Very strong, powerful and gracefully written. Thank you helping us to stand up for ourselves to be treated with human decency. This is a great way to bring a change.

    Reply
  6. Claudia Yvette Breland says:
    06/16/2020 at 8:58 AM

    Very impressive. Expressed exactly what I am feeling. Made me want to go out and protest but I stand in solidarity to the true cause. Say it loud, I’m black and I’m proud. We still stand tall and proud.

    Reply
  7. Nadra says:
    01/18/2021 at 9:18 PM

    Yvette’s gift of emphathetically translating the in- and audible concerns of the human heart to print is powerful and convicting. Her readings are captivating. She is a true storyteller and her writing is hip. Not only am I excited about reading more from Yvette, I am excited for the world to become familiar with this great author.

    Reply
  8. Akeria says:
    01/29/2021 at 9:45 PM

    “Black masculinity is the threat even during a passive yet powerful activity: connecting with the natural world he lives in”. ” ….This is your home do not be driven from it”.
    Yvette, my friend, I am so deeply proud of your willingness to share your gifts with the world. You are bringing voice to our Rage with the Fire of your conviction. You are soft spoken and slow to speak. Still waters run deep. Thank you for doing what you love.

    Reply

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“If you don't have a seat at the table, you're probably on the menu.” -Anon "We cannot create what we cannot imagine." - Lucille Clifton “Peace is not merely the absence of a negative force, but the presence of positive force: justice, goodwill, and the kingdom of God.” -MLK “Ideas stand in the corner and laugh as we fight over them.” -Marty Rubin “Justice will not be served until those unaffected are as outraged as those who are.” -Ben Franklin “The most dangerous creation of any society is a man who has nothing to lose.” James Baldwin “The question is not how to get cured, but how to live.” -J. Conrad

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