Malcolm’s Dream
By Selamawit Weimer
Back in Ethiopia
They all said America was heaven
Now that I’ve been here for some years
I’m not sure I would call it that
It seems more like unrequited love
on a national stage
You know sometimes the hand that holds you
can be holding you back
I noticed how some got tense
when he said “I love that I’m black”
What is it about her joy that threatens them so
and what will happen when
More people start to realize
the freedom this place promises
is merely a seduction
But I guess when you’re starving
you aren’t too picky right?
See, anytime a black person says
“For us by us”
There is an inevitable discomfort
triggered in certain people
Sure some are white
and they’ll make accusations of exclusion
As if the framework for this nation
was not built on the intentional and violent elimination
of certain groups of which they conveniently never happened to be a part of
But it’s not just them
This phrase also causes some black people
to shift in their seats
Not wanting to disturb the curated peace
because it makes them feel
uneasy to claim a space
that doesn’t make their full presence hard
Because see
When you’ve had second hand everything
your whole life
You start to feel selfish when u own something
and that’s right where they want us
Apologizing for our success
Minimizing our excellence
But I’ve been realizing
that emancipation isn’t always dramatic
It’s in the moment of peace
you share only with yourself
It’s the joy you rediscover
in a part of you that you thought was lost forever
It’s the feeling of being treasured by someone
You don’t have to explain yourself to
It’s quiet trust that
you do not always have to bring something to the table to be worthy of a spot
Because you know a seat will be saved by the people around you
Freedom is not just an equal shot
at the pursuit of happiness
But the feeling of happiness pursuing you
It’s feeling safety in your skin
after generations of anxiety
It’s celebration of the little victories
only your circle knows about
A note on the power of Art
It has been viewed as a threat in any oppressive state
because imagination is the first step to emancipation
So a note to any artists of any form
You are revolutionary
by the simple fact of your survival
So do not dismiss honor
because you’ve been taught
to believe you deserve nothing
Do not settle for leftovers
when God’s given you a kitchen
Do not fear the heights
Child, peace is your birthright
So claim it and do not let them steal your light
And I hope the next time you meet love
you don't look away
I read somewhere once
“There is so much trying to end us
let it not include our hands “
So don’t kill your own heart
by burying it alive
And no matter how they try to muffle you
Remember, you are here to thrive