By Meme Kelly
raw & unedited!
All I want to know is what scriptures they were reading.
What was the bible lesson that Wednesday at 8?
When a deranged, racist man
walked through the door and took a seat next to Pastor Senator Pinckney
Bang, Bang, Bang!
Shock followed
I wonder what scriptures they were reading when Roof took out his 45 to slay
Their hopes, their dreams, their futures,
and their faith in God.
I hope it was
“No Weapon Formed Against You will Prosper.”
Their spirits will SHOUT each time we raise our voices against racism.
I hope it was
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Including reading the deranged man’s
racist manifesto created by citizens who condone overt and covert racism for hundreds of years
Including living in a society that refuses to stamp out racism
Including climbing a flag pole to remove a racist confederate flag
Including burying Martin Luther King
I hope it was
“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”
God comes in the darkest hour and surely He is with us!
I hope it was
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,
so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
He rest on us, my fellow Americans
As we struggle
against the evils of a society wielding a 45 or an AK47,
As we struggle
against racist beliefs, codified in laws,
evidenced in White board rooms,
and policed by men in uniform
He rest on us
As we struggle
against racism designed to stop movement of men with brown skin
intended to slay the brown woman’s hopes, her dreams, her future,
and her faith in God.
I hope they were reading the bible verse
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Black folks singing Amazing Grace anyhow
knowing it was created by their slave master
in the midst of a violent storm!
We must always sing Amazing Grace
The storms of racism are still raging, MLK!
Thank you, President Obama
May God continue to shed His Grace on You, the First Family, and the United States of America
How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come, ‘
Tis grace has brought me safe thus far And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease I shall possess within the veil, A life of joy and peace.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we’ve first begun.
Meme Kelly
MFA, University of California (12/2016) Playwright, Screenwriter, Novelist, and Essayist
