It breaks my heart to hear that a racist murderer massacred 9 people in Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church in my hometown, Charleston, South Carolina. My late uncle, Rev. Johnnie Williams (an AME minister) and aunt Mae Williams took me to that church as a child. I sang hymns in Emmanuel AME church. The artist that I am today, advocating for peace and justice, was born and nurtured in church.
violence must cease
increase the peace
stop fighting the civil war
start healing before
it’s too late
to eradicate hate
born where the war began
never understood then
mystery of when
meanness would end
couldn’t unravel
so traveled
far away
but to this day
Gullah Geechie
Charleston is me
built by my ancestry
we are free
wanting unity
not revenge
wanting friends
singing hymns
sacrificing life and limb
for our country
our liberty
our right to be happy
violence must cease
increase the peace
(copyright 2015)
One love, Aria Elan