At the Mall

Racism. I rarely write that word.  Race-

ism.  Even tonight, while huddling and

writing in the back seat of a Toy-o-

ta, waiting as friends attend the Black Lives

Matter Die-In at the mall, I avoid

the word.  We stopped at the protest after

our Undoing-Racism meeting at

Chestnut Hill Quaker Meeting House.

,

I’m excited but too tired to move, and

my legs tell me to volunteer for back

ground work at phones and in print, no longer

on the front line.  We want this movement to

last until it works and last until it’s

no longer needed and last beyond that

until we enjoy standing up to see

each other, to be counted, to be kind.

Kindred, finally, have a chance at peace.

Kindred-justice stops racial profiling,

plans economic and political

equality and prevents racist de-

filing of zones meant for living and not

dumping.  Racism scars my planet though

I, reared in white privilege, know only

a portion of what white did to prevail.

Here in the back seat in the parking lot

I’m getting cold despite down coat and

clothes of many layers.  My bladder is

full.  I wish I had asked  How long do these

Die-Ins last?  How long do die-ins last?  How

long did Mike Brown’s body lie in the street?

How long does life last when you cannot breathe? 

How long before we learn not to give up?

Later, in the glare of headlights and the

neon Dick’s sign, I see first a mirage, 

then silhouettes and my friends fleshed-out selves

return from dying, resurrect from Death

in the Mall with stories and images

of young black leaders, three staging areas,

friends seen and strangers touched during this brief

engagement.  Excitement reigns on the drive home.

We're not buying racism anymore.
We're not ignoring white privilege, black
profiling, power pushed and internal
racism.  Instead we're buying new books
to read about how we got here and how
we might begin to undo negatives.
We're listening beyond our comfort zones,
and building stamina for the long haul.

Posted for the Solstice at Poets United Poetry Pantry #232

Ella's song in the video is performed by Dominion 
a cappella ensemble,led by Valerie Brown. 
At the Oakland Center for Spiritual Living on 10-4-2009. 
Music and lyrics by Bernice Johnson Reagon.

Copyright © 2014 S.L.Chast