Spoken word by the spiritual poet

I was asked to present as one of the primary speakers at Walpole’s Juneteenth Celebration which includes the towns of Dedham, Medfield, and Norwood. The theme for the event was “Freedom To Be”. I wrote a thought based on the “Freedom To Be” theme and shared it in Spoken Word form. The event will be uploaded to Yutube.

“Freedom To Be“

Decades ago, I heard a song writer speak of the freedom to be.

“I see a land bright and clear, and the time’s comin’ near
When we’ll live in this land, you and me, hand in hand
Take my hand, come along, lend your voice to my song
Come along, take my hand, sing a song
To a land where the river runs free
To a land through the green country
To a land to a shining sea
To a land where the children are free
And you and me are free to be
And you and me are free to be
And you and me are free to be you and me”

Decades later, here I am in the land of the green country. In the land from sea to shining sea, and in the land where the children are free. This land is America, the land of the free and home of the brave, where the pursuit of life and liberty can be regardless of poverty, progeny, or pedigree.

Despite all this freedom to be, I still see how you look at me. I still see how you look through me and beyond me, and don’t even acknowledge me as your fellow compatriot. You see me as the menacing, metastasizing, proverbial parasite and repugnant pariah in society, who is invading your saintly states, saintly cities, and exclusive saintly white-knit village communities.

You may not consider me, my personhood, or people group, to be a part of this great freedom to be. But in this land of freedom to be by naturalization or birthright, we share the same spirit of nationhood, peoplehood, and brotherhood from sea to shining sea. As we are one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

In this land of freedom to be, we still are not afraid to live hand in hand with our fellowman regardless of color, culture, and clan. In this land of freedom to be, we still are not afraid, and have chosen of our own free will to come along. In this land of freedom to be, we still are not afraid to lend our voice to your song of freedom with thee. And in this land of liberty and freedom to be, we still are not afraid, and have chosen to take your hand, lift every voice, and sing a song of freedom to be.