God help me to be free.
God I want to be seen for me.

God please be with me…
May I not meet a fate such as what we’ve seen.

With black hands tied in pleasant knots in front of me,
I pray they’ll know I’m not threatening, and as kind as can be.

Let my lungs expand deeply to release the pressure in my chest,
As the sinking thought of who I am to them persist;

Father, release me from the words “less than;”
From that time I dated someone of a different complexion.

When I realized that because of my very dark skin,
I’d always be hidden from their family like a secret sin.

An internal timer ticks incessantly now as I wait;
Silent words stay lodged in my throat, hoping one day they’ll relate;

Piercing me from the depths of my inner self to my outer core,
Over time these are the types of things that will hardly make me sore;

If a black body is worth losing over a counterfeit $20 bill,
What more, or what less, is a black mind to be priced at still?

Don’t go into that store.
Don’t play your music loud.

Don’t open your mouth.
Don’t look like you are proud.

Don’t…
Unless you can erase the color of your skin;

I am submerged in my blackness;
With no way to rise out of that being.

Blackness is seen, but our value’s overlooked.
Blackness is seen, even when we try to hide.

My reflection remains like their obscured thoughts of my intentions.
My reflection sometimes translates into misguided opinions.

Father, would you stretch out your hand towards me?
Father, would you stretch me as you see fit, but still let me fit in?

I wish I knew a world where it was safe,
To have a bad day and not be “abnormal;”

Or “threatening;”
Or “the angry black woman;”

But for now I’ll just stay in my place;
With desperate pleas in my “please” and “thank you’s.”

Maybe they’ll like me better then.
And maybe that’s how it’s always been.

So I’ll return to my home to unpack all the thoughts;
In a sacred place where my hurt will not be hurried.

Yet somehow, after some time, I’ll go back to tucking it all in;
By practicing again in the mirror how to wear a pleasant grin.

Somewhere between truth and lie while dancing on that thin line,
We fall over the edge and start to uncover what lies beneath.

Truth is cold and bare, with a sharp, bitter taste;
Exposing the things we don’t see in our lives filled with haste.

Only there in the the dark spot marked with discomfort,
Can we see where the light is disrupted from getting in.

Only there in the the dark spot marked with discomfort,
Can we start to plot how to let the light in.

Father, forgive me for giving up too early at times.
Father, help me to activate the boldness within.

God help me to be free.
God I want to be seen for me.

God please be with me…
May I not meet a fate such as what we’ve seen.

Poetry and Illustration by Jannifer Kibe

The post God Help Me To Be Free appeared first on 787 Collective.

On this last day of July, I’m happy to say we’re slowly getting back in the groove of our newsletter as we all make the turn toward August and whatever the fall holds.  To this end, it would mean a lot to us if you would take a hot minute or two to answer this very brief survey (four questions, only three required) as we cast a vision towards the future and how we continue to serve the folks and communities we love with information, inspiration, and ideas.  Thank you in advance!  Your input means a lot to us. 

And now, for your consideration, some thoughts to carry us into this new month:

REMEMBER ELDERS
*The cycles of life and death, always with us, felt extra present as a number of Civil Rights leaders crossed over during the month of July.  John Lewis, Emma Sanders, C.T. Vivian and Charles Evers all departed while the struggle for racial justice persists, particularly in this time of crisis.  This article on John Lewis’ legacy in the city of Selma and his work to inspire younger activists felt deeply compelling and instructive.

*Krista Tippett’s 2013 interview with John Lewis has been released again in the wake of his death and it came recommended on our Tuesday call, particularly for the attention on all the learning, discipline and time that went into preparing the young activists for the work of the Civil Rights movement. Here’s a link to the interview which highlights “the intricate art of nonviolence as ‘love in action”.  I’ve got queued for this weekend!

EXPAND PERSPECTIVES

*This article about a Vietnamese businessman in Houston who engaged dissent within his community after sponsoring a Black Lives Matter billboard was fascinating and insightful, particularly around how and why we hold certain perspectives and witnessing perspective shift.

*The Americans with Disabilities Act just turned 30, and along with a celebration of that accomplishment, there have also been important reflections on the distance we still have to go.  The New York Times also published this quirky piece considering an ancient Taoist philosopher as the earliest disability philosopher.

REMAIN WATCHFUL

*This report from the Texas Standard reminds us of our collective responsibility to stay watchful and advocate for neighbors near and far.  The pandemic is drawing many of us and our public sectors into uncharted water, so staying awake, alert, and engaged around issues that affect vulnerable populations seem central to our call as Christians.

*Speaking of neighbors near and far, Forbes published this interesting piece considering the impact of quarantine on the immune system of older folks.  It was good food for thought, and mirrored our conversation on Tuesday in which we discussed how to serve community members for whom loneliness is escalating into mental health challenges the further we get into quarantine.

NURTURE HOPE

*This article featuring Bill Gates, and this interview with the colorful epidemiologist Larry Brilliant (caution, his language is as colorful as his personality so consider yourself warned) gave me a sense of balanced hope about where we are and where we are going in this pandemic adventure.  We’re no New Zealand, but there’s hope. 

*Here’s what I’m hoping for when this is all over:  Check out this very impressive dinner party.  

Otherwise, sharing this poem by Langston Hughes which reminded me of John Lewis’ legacy of love and service, though it was originally penned in honor of Booker T. Washington, and this song which is drawing me on daily.

Love and light to each of you, wishing you a restful and restorative weekend,

MLC

The post We’re baaaaaaaaaack! appeared first on 787 Collective.

What a time to be together, traveling forward towards what we hope will be a changed and more just world.  So much is afoot it’s hard to keep up, and know what to share, as the rate of change is rapid and our place on the curve always moving.  As the world opens, the news speaks much of the second wave of Coronavirus, which in itself presents waves of new decisions. This article from one of my favorite reporters does a good job of laying out some markers and suggestions to consider as everyone confronts choices about how and when to engage in activities and when to exercise caution.

And yet even as we “re-open,” so much of our brokenness is still laid bare.  Here are some voices and stories that instructed and inspired me this past week:

LISTEN
*This article from the Texas Standard with filmmaker Ya’Ke Smith, who recently became the first Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion at the Moody College for Communication at UT, was a great reminder of the centrality of listening as we learn to be better allies.  The article is excellent, and I highly encourage you to watch Ya’Ke’s heartbreakingly beautiful short film “Dear Bruh.”  It’s quite short (9 minutes), but full of gorgeous images and personal text.

*Listening to the Pulitzer Prize winning poet Jericho Brown share his wisdom, faith and experience in this article is a treat, and his voice and perspective are both unique and powerful.  It’s a long article, so I won’t say more except GO FOR IT!  Andthe embedded video of him delivering his poem “Foreday” is a total bonus.

ENGAGE

*This article about answering common questions from the White Community about the Black Lives Matter movement is insightful and important.*NBC delivered this helpful piece that clarifies what “defunding the police” might look like, providing examples from cities around the U.S. to address social issues directly and non-violently without police intervention when and where it’s unnecessary. 
*This young adult went right out and opened up a compassionate space for questions and dialogue here in Central Texas.  His courage and kindness inspire me!

EQUIP

*This offering from the Irresistible Podcast was so helpful to me last week as I try to understand what we are experiencing collectively right now.  Roshi Joan Halifax does a beautiful job of sharing insights and learning about dealing with “Grief in a Time of Unknowing” and I highly recommend it.

*Immerse ourselves in stories that instruct us.  The Austin African-American Book Festival is coming up June 27^th and has an amazing line-up which can be enjoyed from anywhere in its’ virtual format.

*Ibram X. Kendi shared this “Antiracist Reading List” almost exactly a year ago, and the commentary that accompanies many selections is a beautiful study in how one constantly acknowledges bias and learns through the experience of others.

HEAL
*Our project centers on the lives and longings of young adults, and this young voice rang out as clear as a bell to me this week, with such love, grace and wisdom.  Casey Jones, a student of religion in the Santa Barbara, shared a beautiful call and reminder to us about the importance of “bearing witness” and that to “hold brokenness and to be broken” is an essential stop on the road to the spiritual transformation required for healing. 

*Many of us (as reflected in this piece from the LA Times) wish Oprah would re-consider a bid for the White House, but in the absence of that campaign, I am so grateful she is offering this reflection which considers “Where Do We Go from Here?”.  It will air this week through multiple outlets (broadcast details are in the article).

*Let’s get outside as we can.  Here is a stunning poem by Ross Gay to leave all of us with some food for thought about “A Small Needful Fact.”

May we hold all these questions close, wonder at both the challenge of the work and the incredible possibility, and take courage on our way.

Grace and peace- 

MLC

The post Considering our Brokenness appeared first on 787 Collective.