KING

"Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Champion of peace, Prince of love

Trumpet player of the beautiful notes

of non violence.

"Silenced" by evil attached to

a bullet of indifference.

Rest In Peace"

*******

Copyright 2010, Regina Y. Evans, All Rights Reserved. Excerpt from the poem: Remembering Oscar. From the E book "Nothing Cool About Ten". Published and available at http://www.smashwords.com/

Courage

"If we are going to make any kind of progress then we are going to have to squeeze the slave out of ourselves."

********

** quote taken from the bigraphical movie on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (showing today on TV One)

My Mom: Singing Her Garden

Today I had such an amazing experience. I am currently deepening my play: Echo: A Poetic Journey into Justice (which brings awareness to how our youth in America are brutalized by sex trafficking/slavery).

Echo utilizes the beauty of African American Spirituals and Gospels. So, I was prayerfully searching out new music to give the play an added "kapow!".

I was listening to a song called  "God Will Take Care Of You" and my Mom came into the room and started singing away! She was such a happy little bluebird. Chirping!  I had actually forgotten that this was my Mom's favorite church song as a child. She loves, loves, loves this song.

She was just a busy singing...and I was just a busy soaking up the moment. Spirit gliding ("like a 747....").

Truly, it isn't everyday that your Mom stands besides you and sings "God Will Take Care Of You." And then she proceeded to grab the African American Heritage Hymnal book off of the shelf and belts out a flurry of additional songs: Page 127 - Father I Stretch My Hands To Thee, Page 471 - Precious Lord, Take My Hand. I am beginning to see a theme here......

Fantastic!

I recognized the moment for the beauty that soared upon its back. It made me smile in my spirit and at the playfulness of The Almighty.

My Mom and I are very different. We clash a bit. She is holds a Doctorate, is whip smart, perfectly coiffed and attired at 9am in the morning. A former Educator of a whirlwind,  take no guff, doesn't suffer fools easily, straight to the point, and all around awesome of the awesomeEST kinda lady. And I, well, hmmm, I am a romantic, creative type, who loves to do my poetic thing in my PJ's at 5am, vintage-loving-Goodwill-shopping, animal lover, writer who has slept on many floors with a blanket (sometimes a coat), and often share lunch with my friend King who is habitually homeless. I love King. He calls me Queen and gave me a copy of Dante's Inferno the first time we met.

In my own defense, I clean up really well, so I've been told, my mirror mirror says so too. But basically I am the most comfortable in a pair of 7 For Humanity Jeans (gifted to me by my Mom as I would have purchased a five dollar pair from Goodwill), my fav low black 1940 style heels (gosh, also gifted to me by my Mom and I am beginning to see another theme here....), black sweater (yes. Mom again.), or a tee shirt (That's from me!), and my $14.99 100 percent black cashmere coat from the 1960's that I treasure hunted at Goodwill.

The coat saga is a whole 'nother story: I basically had to fight my Mom to "allow" me to buy my coat from Goodwill as opposed to the oo-la-la place where she thought I should make such a purchase. It was a great great nano-second when she first saw my sleek looking beaut of a coat. She was happily surprised. I just know it. I saw her eyes smile. Sure did.

In truth, I think the smile stemmed from  my stubbornness over it all. You see, stubbornness flows in my blood, gene pool. Throughout the generations of my family's history. African American/Cherokee from Alabama. Sure nuff we are a stubborn lot. Had to. Had to be. Flows through the rivers of Mom's side of the family. My Granddaddy was notorious for standing up for his rights. I've heard stories about guns being drawn between White and Black. White cops, Black Granddaddy. Never a good mix back in the day. Granddaddy was determined to survive. Apparently, he had lots of guns. He was good at eyeballing and standing his ground. Stubborn about being able to feel the flow of humanity's embrace. Mom is the same. Me too. We come by it honestly. Selah.

I digress. Back to wardrobe chat. Lighter fare. Indeed. Mom is more of a Chanel, Louis Feraud, Maud Frizon, Hermes Scarf kinda woman. And funny, those were all gifted from me! Interesting. There was a time in my life where I actually had a booming business/vintage clothing shop. Mom was my perfect target for gifts because she loves (is) beauty. Naturally, I bought her beautiful things. I also learned during this time to send her poetry written on cut out paper hearts. I didn't want her to get too too spoiled with stuff. After all. I think she secretly liked the poetry much better than the ca-ching ching things. The jury is still out on that.

The one thing that Mom and I have in common, besides our stubborn nature,  is that we are both passionately tenacious. Oh yes and also we both have a heart for helping kids. And we both have a sweet tooth. And probably we are both bossy (she more than me..of course...) And... And... And.... Differently the same. I suppose.

Whatever the case may be, today God graciously delivered to us the same beautiful moment. A blended love song. Time slices itself into lovely when one hears her Mother sing her own childhood memories. Sweet. I can just imagine her as a little pretty girl: dressed in her Sunday Best, sun kissed glistening choclate drop skin, frocked out in pink, ribbons in her hair, shiny black patent leather shoes, and the prerequisite frilly girly handbag (complete with a hanky, a handful of peppermints, and coins for the offering plate)

Gorgeous little fire child.

Lovely. Cherished.

peace

2011 Copyright ReginaY. Evans, All Rights Reserved (From the forthcoming Book: "Progeny and Me")

unknown (for the sex trafficked beloved)

*should the sex trafficked beloved remain unknown? think about it. deeply. deep-ish. thank you.

Unknown

notes paced away

from playing my sound,

in tune, out of sync

the empathy of you

floated by

never touching

our stance of blue.

your clouded thoughts

highlighted our weak beats,

desiring not the strum

of our melody in totality.

but next year, day

time will call out to sing

the passion of me,

it will paint my senses

alive with

depth, hue, tone,

until i am complete.

but this second, moment

you never knew.

i am

unknown, unknown.

*******

Copyright Regina Y. Evans 2010 All Rights Reserved ( from The Play: Echo A Poetic Journey into Justice and from the published ebook "Nothing Cool About Ten", available on http://www.smashwords.com/) You can read more about Echo: A Poetic Journey into Justice at this blog entry:

http://echopoeticjustice.blogspot.com/2010/05/update-echo-poetic-journey-into-justice.html

poem excerpt: a friend named trust

"in appreciation,

i will lift my hands in praise

honoring the free flowing love

which has set my being upon the heights

i will hold my friend named Trust gently as He leaves

a trail of grace and faith upon my heart

forever kissing Him in gratitude"

Copyright 2008 Regina Y. Evans (All Rights Reserved) From the published book Nonnie And The Butterfly (excerpt from the poem 'A Friend Named Trust")

echo-ing

i have been finding some fantastic information as i have been expanding my play echo. i once heard a quote that said something like:

"we don't go into our mother's gardens to find out who trampled it. we know that already. we go in search of how they survived and made it. inspite of all the oppression and degradation."

as i expand this play i find this notion a great comfort. so, i have been reading through slave narratives. again. more closely this time. searching for "the how".

one thing that always amazes me about spirituals, gospel, praises that the slaves offered up was their ability to do so through their life storms. praising and workin the fields. praising and being humiliated. honestly, from where i sit...i don't completely understand the fortitude of such a thing...

what i do know is this: in terms of modern day sex trafficking...those who work as abolitionist would do well to assume this posture. praise and work. be thankful for the lil steps. because even the smallest steps lead us closer to grabbing the hand of a child in sex trafficking. and hugging her (him) into the arms of freedom.

best get back to it......

re.leasing...

today i feel burdened. i am re working my play Echo to give it a stronger sense of the supernatural. and with each key stroke it is as if i can feel the heart of the old and new slave crying out for recognition. the recognition of their hurts and pains. i sit. i type. i think. i pray. i weep and i wail. the earth travails back into my soul. i am burdened for my ancestors who were torn asunder by malice. weary for the child that i know is out there somewhere on the street being sold into the wreck of "humanity" called bought by rape. oh....sometimes it is too much to carry. burdened. and yet. i go. i write. because isn't it such an easy thing to do? in comparison. and i am thankful for compassionate warriors like nola brantley, sarai theolinda smith, david batstone, mercy dizon, dawn worwick, nikki junker, lili balfour, elizabeth holmes, etc. all who put their life on the line for the sex trafficked beloved. they love. and love speaks. it says "hang on, baby, hang on. you are loved and we are coming to get you".

peace

Isaiah 58:6 Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

Speak Life Affirmations for Modern Day Abolitionists

*because the work that the modern day abolitionist does can be quite tramatic i developed this list of life affirmations as a point of encouragement. these are words that i speak over myself and i would like to pass them along to any other abolitionist who is interested in using them. jan 2011  is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.  and as such, i also believe it is necessary to encourage those who put their life on the line for the sake of the sex trafficked beloved. so, i pray that these words help. the affirmations are scripturally (Bible) based but put into my own words. i believe that words are powerful. and healing. please feel free to copy for you own use and/or pass along. -peace

LIFE Affirmations for Modern Day Abolitionists

1) I am eternally loved by a divine kiss. (Ephesians 3: 14-19)

2) Joy lives in me! (Isaiah 61:7)

3) I am courageous and powerful. Watch out! (2 Tim 1:7)

4) Hope is my dance! (Hebrews 6:19)

5) I’m holdin’ onto faith and keepin’ on truckin, baby! (Psalm 27)

6) Shield, sword to the ready! I am protected! (Psalm 91)

7) No matter what I am thankful…even when I don’t feel like it. (1 Thess 5:18))

8) Peace is mine. (Phillipians 4:6-7)

9) Justice WINS and is on my side! (Isaiah 40:4-5)

10) I AM BLESSED (Numbers 6:24-27)

*******************

John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit[a] and life.

Poem: "Free Labor" by Poet Abolitionist Frances Ellen Watkins

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper was an African American Poet and Abolitionist (September 24, 1825 -- February 22, 1911). Born free in Baltimore, Maryland, she had a long and prolific career, publishing her first book of poetry at twenty and her first novel, the widely praised Iola Leroy, at age 67. 

Surely her words still ring true as we fight the current situation of Modern Day Slavery/Sex Trafficking. Plase find her poem "Free Labor" below:

“Free Labor”

By Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

I wear an easy garment,

O'er it no toiling slave

Wept tears of hopeless anguish,

In his passage to the grave.

And from its ample folds

Shall rise no cry to God,

Upon its warp and woof shall be

No stain of tears and blood.

Oh, lightly shall it press my form,

Unladen with a sigh,

I shall not 'mid its rustling hear,

Some sad despairing cry.

This fabric is too light to bear

The weight of bondsmen's tears,

I shall not in its texture trace

The agony of years.

Too light to bear a smother'd sigh,

From some lorn woman's heart,

Whose only wreath of household love

Is rudely torn apart.

Then lightly shall it press my form,

Unburden'd by a sigh;

And from its seams and folds shall rise,

No voice to pierce the sky,

And witness at the throne of God,

In language deep and strong,

That I have nerv'd Oppression's hand,

For deeds of guilt and wrong.

A Question

do you think it is important that as a nation we pray and ask forgiveness for our part in past day slavery? and do you think that this will have a positive spiritual impact (in terms of it being defeated) upon modern day slavery which is so similar and occurs today? generations later.....

think about it. deeply....

Thank you....

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month: JANUARY 2011

On 22 December 2010, President Barack Obama and The White House proclaimed January 2011 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.


"Although the United States has made great strides in preventing the occurrence of modern slavery, prosecuting traffickers and dismantling their criminal networks, and protecting victims and survivors, our work is not done. We stand with those throughout the world who are working eve...ry day to end modern slavery, bring traffickers to justice, and empower survivors to reclaim their rightful freedom. This month, I urge all Americans to educate themselves about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking. Together, we can combat this crime within our borders and join with our partners around the world to end this injustice." - President Barack Obama

(http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/12/22/presidential-proclamation-national-slavery-and-human-trafficking-prevent)

Please take advantage of this opportunity to EDUCATE YOURSELF and EDUCATE OTHERS on the problem of human trafficking and modern slavery. The fight against injustice is a long and tedious fight. But victory is possible! In short, education leads to awareness, awareness fights demand, and reduced demand reduces supply.


READ the Department of State's "Trafficking in Persons Report 2010" which included the USA in its findings for the first time.

DO ONLINE SEARCHES FOR ORGANIZATIONS like The International Justice Mission, Free the Slaves, Abolish Slavery (w/ Aaron Cohen), The DNA Foundation, Love146, Amnesty International, Polaris Project, Not For Sale Campaign, Shared Hope International, Loose Change to Loosen Chains, The U.S. State Department, etc. and FIND OPPORTUNITIES to work, intern, and get involved.

READ BOOKS like "A Crime So Monstrous" by E. Benjamin Skinner, "Modern Slavery" by Kevin Bales, "Good News about Injustice" and "Just Courage" by Gary Haugen, "Slave Hunter" by Aaron Cohen, and others.

TELL OTHERS.

SPEAK UP. SEEK JUSTICE. Proverbs 31:8-9.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO EVERYONE TO SPREAD THE WORD!

**(Photo from: http://utweet.it/featured-articles/human-trafficking-combating-it-through-the-dna-foundation/)



(from the National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month Facebook Page Administered by Alan Carillo and Gracy Howard)

today, she realized....

today she realized......

that she can brush her fingers across the sky,

wrap herself in a cloud of splendour,

sit upon a sunstar named strength,

and hold its rays of joy in the palm of her hand

yes, today, she realized

that she can dance across the top of a hurricane,

never bowing down to its twisty gusto,

in fact, she can reach into its eye,

yank out peace,

grasp calmness,

capture serenity

my, my, my, today, she realized

that she can walk,

deliberately, gracefully, elegantly,

royalty lives in her steps,

faith tickle her toes,

patience caresses her ankles,

and delight entices the soles of her feet,

oooooo weeee, today, she realized

that she is a pearl of great price,

and it is The Father's great pleasure to

pour out the vaults of grace over her being,

she is a Rose of Sharon,

a Lily of the Valley,

the eyes which overwhelm,

praise God,

because today,

this day,

she realized

to Him she is perfection

to Him she is glorious

to Him she is

F.L.A.W.L.E.S.S.

FLAWLESS

today, realized

so, in the morning when I

wake and The Almighty says,

"My darling, you have stolen my heart,

my sista, my bride, you have stolen

my heart."

I will simply smile and say,

"Thank you Father,

and yes, I know because

here, now, today

I

realize

Copyright 2010 Regina Y. Evans All Rights reserved (from the poetry book, Nothing Cool About Ten, available on http://www.smashwords.com/)

Poem: Ring! (for the sex trafficked beloved)

*because every sex trafficked beloved deserves the waves, touches, and beauty that life bequeaths. and I reckon it would feel something like this.....

my hands of splendor pushed up,

grace, unbound

breezing upon the wings of flight

my heart leaping in glorious expectation

at life teaching me

my own unique two step.

twist. twirl. shimmy.....

justice rings!

**********

Copyright 2010 Regina Y. Evans All Rights Reserved (From the play Echo: A Poetic Journey into Justice)

You can read more about Echo: A Poetic Journey into Justice at this blog entry:

http://echopoeticjustice.blogspot.com/2010/05/update-echo-poetic-journey-into-justice.html