It is Black History Month, Black history month is celebrated this and every February in the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, and in many Caribbean countries.
It is very important, however, for us to know and remember the context under which these observations were instituted, Black History Month began as a way of remembering many of the important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. The emphasis here is on the DIASPORA. Because, Because, our history, sure as hell, did not begin with slavery.
Every February though, people in the observing Countries are invited to participate in Black History Month festivities and events that honor the legacy of Black people, both past and present. For 2019, the poet is pleased to share with you one of his poetry pieces which were written a year ago and came out of those 2018 Black History Month celebrations. Never forget though, that our history, sure as hell, did not begin with slavery. That’s my Story.
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| Author & poet, E Lloyd Kelly |
Now, here’s the poetry piece. A poem for black history month called:
Black man, know thyself. By E Lloyd Kelly.
Hey there Black man,
Do you know who you are?
You have got to know who you are, black man.
Or someone else will tell you who you are. And define you
Black man, know your own God.
Because, while many will come to you, professing religious values and morality.
Every day in their own society, they practiced immorality, routinely.
Then there are those who talk about justice and equality, but...
The last five hundred years, of the domination of Europe over the rest of the world's population, has been unjust.
Who then is going to teach our children "our history?"
And I mean, the real history?
Because our history, sure as hell, did not begin with slavery.
Four hundred years is a very long time to be brutalized,
And de-humanized.
For having to go through hell-on-Earth?
What's the prize? Heaven when we die? Crush that lie.
Tell me black man, what is your plan?
Are you satisfied with just being accepted, by the other man?
Who is actually your mortal enemy?
Or will you rise up? Stand up.
And pursue your own freedom? And your dignity?
Where is the black man's vibrant and progressive countries?
Where is the power of his economy?
Where are the Garveys’ and Martin Luther's?
Where are the Malcolms, Namumba and the Nkrumah?
Many People have suffered, many people have died,
Fighting for our liberty. What little of it there be.
We have paid a heavy price to be free, and yet, hear me clearly.
Freedom... freedom is most definitely. Not free.
From slavery to colonization,
From colonization to the plantation.
Without any form of restitution.
For labor stolen, Savagely broken.
And after the plantation. Then came neo-colonization.
Which is with us to this very day.
In the presence of the IMF, and the World Bank.
The United Nations. And world trade organization
So here we have it, as you can see.
The continuation of the inequality.
And all this is being maintained by systems of governments
And international treaty.
Here now is the burning question.
Who among us will commit,
Commit to reconstruction?
And to redeem the African civilization?
Africa is not a wasteland
She has been giving to the world from day one
In terms of the very first human, And also, the first Civilization.
Be proud black man, be very proud.
Your job now is to perfect yourself black man.
That is the whole purpose of your life, this you must understand.
It is that struggle on a day to day basis for perfection.
And to again become strong
The aged man must teach the younger ones,
Teach them in the homes, and in your institutions. Because
The battles of the future are going to be the battles of the mind and for the mind,
It's all about knowledge now. Knowledge and science.
So, up you mighty man,
Press onward and forward,
Cause you are a black man
Yes... you are an African.
By E Lloyd Kelly, Feb. 2018
End.
This is a copyright protected work. © 2018 By E. Lloyd Kelly.
So why do I write? I heard someone ask.
And the answer is: I'm a guy of many words, but whose tongue is slow and heavy, and my words tend to come out awkward and clumsy, so I write, because I always have something to say, I think. Which always tends to get me into trouble anyway. The extra bonus though, the bonus in writing is that a pencil usually comes with an eraser.
Want more poetry from this poet? Psst! it's over here.
Disclaimer.
Please note: this piece was born out of a speech given by the son of one of the world’s greatest black freedom fighters, a man called, Marcus M Garvey. I being a poet and being a guest at the event, quickly went to work putting this poetry piece together.
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Extra, extra. On this day in history
Sun. Feb. 3rd
2009 - Eric Holder was sworn in as attorney general. He was the first African-American to hold the post.
1989 - South African politician P.W. Botha unwillingly resigned both party leadership and the presidency after suffering a stroke.
1951 - The Tennessee Williams play, "The Rose Tattoo", opened on Broadway in New York.
1947 - Percival Pratt became the first black news correspondent admitted to the House and Senate press gallery in Washington, DC. He worked for "Our World" in New York City.
1916 - In Ottawa, Canada's original parliament buildings burned down.
Sat. Feb. 2nd
1990 - South African President F.W. de Klerk lifted a ban on the African National Congress and promised to free Nelson Mandela.
1989 - The final Russian armored column left Kabul, Afghanistan, after nine years of military occupation.
1893 - The Edison Studio in West Orange, NJ, made history when they filmed the first motion picture close-up. The studio was owned and operated by Thomas Edison.
1863 - Samuel Langhorne Clemens used a pseudonym for the first time. He is better remembered by the pseudonym which is Mark Twain.
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