I Mus Be Ready

As a child I was told that sticks and stones may break my bones, but words would never hurt me. As an adult I know that this kiddie rhythm is wrong. Sticks and stones will kill you, and words will bury you six feet plus while you're still breathing.

It usually takes an action in order to get a reaction. Why do we always have to react? Is it any one persons fault that we have to come to the rescue of each other when we are separated from one another? Our lives should already be at a point and a pace that is beyond comfortable with no hurtful words, sticks, or stones in view.

The lyrics say a change gone come. The change came, but we either didn't see it, or simply didn't know how to keep it revolving in the right direction.

One action makes us remember what we should think about on more than an anniversary. One action of distaste is all it takes to cause a debate of what should be done to keep our change from diminishing to less than what it takes to place a ten cent call. Wait, the cost of a call hasn't been ten cents in years? Where do we really stand? How much change do we have left?

Words. Bullets. Rape. Murder. Death. These cause us to remember.

Slaves
look
Slaves
at
Slaves
all
Strange Fruit
the
Malcom X
african
Addie Mae Collins
niggar
Martin Luther King
colored
Carole Roberston
black
Johnnie Robinson
people
Strange Fruit
who
Medgar Evers
have
Denise McNair
died
Sean Bell
for
Cynthia Wesley
a
James Byrd Jr.
change
Strange Fruit
that
Unidentified Body (bodies)
is
James Chaney
within
Emmet Till
us

We argue over our history. We argue over our titles. This is an argument that will never be won. Other races belittle us and say it's okay because we belittle ourselves. We get angry and try to decide to whom the blame will fall on. Every opinion is right. Each view differs. The fight continues because of this.

There are only a few things that I know and I believe are certain. I know I love my family. I know that our titles, our words, have taken on a entity of their own. They are used by many, but the reason for the easy disposal by others has yet to be explained.

Jesus is coming. I believe this is certain. I Mus Be Ready.

I luv you.

Wanda D. Hudson
Wait for Love: A Black Girl's Story
http://www.wandadhudson.com