African Sisterhood © 1990
by Peggy Brooks-Bertram
April 22, 1990
Melanin Conference, Houston Texas
African
sisters, we shook the universe last night.
Our
souls intermingled when we held on tight,
to
those who voices cracked in pain
and
those who thought they could abstain,
with
ancestors swirling all about,
urging
us to sing and shout.
Demanding
that we find the strength to break the chains that cause us
African women
pain.
Like
men, and hair and shades of skin and other demons locked within.
And,
there were those who thought they could abstain
with
ancestors swirling all about
directing
us to sing and shout.
"Raise
your hands in her direction, give that sister your protection."
Release
her from her terrible pain, make this sister whole again.
Demons begone! Demons begone! Demons begone!
These
African sisters claim their power and demand you leave within the hour!
And
still there were those who thought they could abstain
with
ancestors swirling all about,
urging
us to sing and shout:
"This
little light of mine, "I'm gonna let it shine," "This little light of
mine,
"I'm gonna let it shine," "This little light of mine, I'm
gonna let it shine,"
Let
it shine, let it shine, let it shine."
Someone
hold that sister, soothe her fears, kiss her face, wipe her tears.
One
by one, each in turn would find the strength to stand and say,
I
need you, I love you and I'm so glad I'm here today.
Till
there were none who could abstain
with
ancestors swirling all about,
directing
us to sing and shout,
commanding
demons to get out!
We
shook the universe last night.
Our
souls inter-mingled as we held on tight, promising each other to stay in touch
With
the African sisterhood we need so much.
Yes,
we shook the universe last night.
