AGMA is kicking off our Black History Month spotlights with a poem by AGMA Artist Nathalie Alcime. She is a Haitian-American vocalist, worship leader, and educator who recently joined AGMA through Detroit Opera’s Highways and Valleys. Her work is grounded in both classical and contemporary gospel traditions, bringing depth, joy, and spiritual intention, as exemplified in her poem “Black Is.”
“Black is”
By Nathalie Alcime
Black had been stripped away of our dignity,
the very essence of our being,
to confine us to slavery,
to be chained to bondage, “never” to be set free.
Slavery was not suppose to be our history
Our rights were taken away without regard
Our culture diminished to the background as false white supremacy selfishly and cowardly makes his way forward.
Yet in the midst of tragedy, we rise.
In the midst of hardship, we rise.
In the midst of silence, we rise.
Redeeming what has been taken, reclaiming what has been ours, we rise.
Because..
Black is healing
Black is hope
Black is courage
Black is freedom
Black is joy
Black is beautiful
Black is excellence
Black is redeeming
Black is pride
Black is resilient
Black is seen
Black is bright
Black is diversity
Black is creativity
Black is goals
Black is past
Black is present
Black is future
Black is everyday
Black is everything
Black is us