Fatherhood, Peoplehood, Farmerhood

Most of my friends out there know that Charla and I have been involved in the Black Farmer Movement since 1994. Yes, that is strange, is it not, to read those words. I have been told, and with much respect to the teller, "I did not know there was such a thing as a black farmer." And I have been told that "those things do not happen in America." "Yes, there are, and yes, they do, still." So, in the early morning hours of today I felt compelled to connect a few dots and in the connections came these words. There is more to the story and an announcement will soon be released about future efforts on this page.

Father.

Holy Father.

Father.

Righteous Father.

May I call you by those names?

I read them in your Book today

And listened as He prayed

Before He walked to the gallows of shame.

He finished his work

Nothing did He shirk

Came to get it done

From early morn till setting of the sun.

Honored you along the way

Completed is what I hear Him say

Left it all to them and us

And now look at what we’ve made, one big fuss.

A big, grand ideal

To gather us all together

To place upon a seal

That in weary times the storms we would weather.

In days way back yonder

A woman arose up for her kin

Into his throne room she would go

Wondering how it would end.

“How can I bear to see

The disaster fall upon my people”

They are soon to be destroyed

Unless you answer my cry, how feeble.

I hear her cry and I read her words

I wonder what is the application

For today is also horrific

So I make this morning’s supplication.

For those ruined by grievous policy

That was made for us the whites 

Bear them up and give them strength

To hold on to their land their rights.

Give them courage and strength

To fight the righteous cause

To know of your love and grace

To change inequities of the laws.

I know my skin is white

That is the way I’ll always be

But my people are those whose skin is shades of brown

Until your face I see.

To hear their stories

“My blood is on this land”

How could I do anything but along with them

To take a righteous stand.

Father.

Holy Father.

Father.

Righteous Father.

Hear my cry for my people.