A Message to the Community: A Letter from Prison

By RW

I offer my condolences to the families who have lost loved ones
And became victims to the violence

I offer my apologies for having been derelict in my duty and responsibility as a man
In not being the guardian, educator, and leader my communities needed
In order to be vital and life-affirming

I want to inform you that it is my goal to counteract the insanity of the destructive mindset
And I do not embrace those who prey upon any people
But particularly, my people

I want my voice to be heard:
Let the violence, drug dealing, physical, and spiritual abuse of the communities stop

As a man, I want it to be known that I have come to value and recognize
That the children need and deserve a safe and secure environment in which to grow and develop,
Be educated, have access to equal opportunities to excel,
And become who the Creator intended them to be

I ask that everyone reading or hearing this looks at a child
Whether at home, school, at play, in church, or mosque, and consider these words:

I am the African child

The whole world awaits my coming, all the earth watches with interest
To see what I shall become
Civilization hangs in the balance; for what I am, the world of tomorrow will be

I am the African child

You have brought me into this, about which I know nothing
You hold in your hand my destiny
You determine whether I shall succeed or fail
Give me, I beg you, a world where I can walk tall and proud
Train me, as is your duty unto me
To love myself, and my people
And to build and maintain a great nation
It is I who proclaim

I am the African child

The whole world awaits my coming, I shall not delay it
For I too have a dream

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12 Comments

  1. Billie Marcheva on August 2, 2020 at 10:49 PM

    Hi RW,

    I admire your growth – your self-awareness, empowerment, and honesty. These are traits I’m working hard to improve within myself.

    I agree completely with your message. It is our duty to undo the harms society, governments, and bigots throughout history and today has done. It is our job to build a future where an African child has the space and validation to exist to their full potential.

    These lines in particular spoke to me:
    “You determine whether I shall succeed or fail
    Give me, I beg you, a world where I can walk tall and proud
    Train me, as is your duty unto me
    To love myself, and my people
    And to build and maintain a great nation”

    I’ve been researching more about healing through justice and how to understand trauma and resilience in the lens of a politically and socially unjust reality. This poem makes that resonate more deeply for me.

    Thank you for sharing.

  2. Casey on August 10, 2020 at 12:51 PM

    This is so powerful. I love the way you use repetition, and your imagery is clear. I hear the narrator’s voice so clearly – as if you are standing in front of me and saying it aloud. Well done.

  3. adelyn on August 13, 2020 at 1:09 PM

    The way you write about the individual and the community creates such a cohesive and powerful message. In a world that so often tries to knock others down your poem seems to stand up as a beacon of light signaling the way we should treat others and ourselves.

  4. Zo on September 8, 2020 at 9:14 AM

    RW,
    My favorite part of this poem is the call to action for the reader. It makes us want to stop and consider the struggles of an African child. Much as you said, people often consider them a statistic… waiting to see how they’ll ‘end up’. But it is our duty to ensure they have a fair chance in life, that they can achieve their dreams and not be held back by the reigns of society. I know you will try your best to end this, and so will I.

  5. Nora on September 8, 2020 at 9:15 AM

    Hi RW,

    You poem really caught my attention. I got goosebumps from reading it. I really like the two different parts of your poem. The second half was my favorite. The repetition of “I am the African child” is fantastic. By repeating it you are demanding that the reader take note of what you are saying. Your words sing so beautifully!

    Excellent work!

    –Nora

  6. McKenna Gebhardt on September 26, 2020 at 7:20 PM

    This is beautiful. Your words really stood out to me. I see you, I hear you, and you are loved. This world is especially difficult right now. Please do not give up, you are so strong.

  7. Joshua Redd on September 29, 2020 at 10:07 PM

    This piece is amazing. Thank you so much for writing this.

  8. kassidilenae on October 13, 2020 at 12:12 PM

    RW,

    Wow, this poem is powerful. Thank you for sharing this. Your words convey your self-assurance. You know who you are and who you are called to be. Continue to challenge others with this same calling. Share your dream and encourage the community around you to do so, as well. Keep writing! We hear you.

    KC

  9. Joyce on October 13, 2020 at 4:51 PM

    Dear RW,

    Thank you for this amazing message, it is so inspiring. It is so evident that you have a sense of what is morally right, and you are motivated to help your community. It is clear you care deeply about them, and about the opportunities and education for the children in your communities. It is really interesting how the style and tone of your poem shifts halfway, it is a very cool writing technique. It is powerful and beautiful. I love how you repeat “I am the African child” and write from that perspective. You highlight the expectations people have from the child’s birth, the influence others have on who the child will become, and the child’s own dreams. This poem was so wonderful and creative.

    Best wishes,
    Joyce

  10. Torrie on October 18, 2020 at 4:49 PM

    Amazing poem! Thank you for these words! I can tell you really wrote this from the heart. Keep writing!

  11. ken on November 2, 2020 at 11:21 AM

    This is a very intense poem. It is written so well!! I love how you ended you poem in “For I too have a dream”, this was the perfect way to end your poem! Keep up the good work!

  12. JM on November 3, 2020 at 2:32 PM

    Dear RW,

    Thank you for sharing this poem. I really like that you take the perspective of both an older adult and a child, as well as the importance you place on children and what they mean to the world’s future. The way you referenced Martin Luther King, Jr. at the end was particularly powerful in the context of your emphasis on leadership. As someone who’s working in education right now, I think this cycle of mentoring students who grow up to become leaders is of the utmost importance, and especially so with people who are underrepresented in positions of power. The overall I sense I get from this poem is one of empowerment and pride, and it makes me feel optimistic about the future. Thanks again for sharing and I hope you continue to write.

    Best,
    JM

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