"I am all of the women before me. My heart continues to beat their songs."
Written by Dear Black Woman Gail
I am more than this moment
I am my grandmother taking her abusive husband’s
check and catching a train from Louisiana to California
I am my mother’s patience as the doctors turned me around from my breach
presentation
I am my ancestors secretly calling into the night to spread the word of the
next location along the railroad
I am the black pregnant woman who asks the questions and pushes back when
the doctor tells her to trust him
I am the young chocolate girl who resisted every utterance of “you’re beautiful for a
black girl.”
I am the joy found in the choir of black women… heads back, mouths open… unafraid
and unapologetic.
I am the grace found in eyes of my ancestors who are waiting patiently to pass me the
baton.
I am the love of my mother as she set the intention to make sure that my life was better
than her own.
I am the strength of my grandmother who raised 7 children and began her story anew.
I am
all of the women before me
my heart continues to beat their songs
their blood runs through me
I am so much more than this moment
GA