Where We’re From Poems of Baltimore’s history and present through the people of Baltimore
Where We're From... Poems of Baltimore's history and present through the people of Baltimore
This Book Is Dedicated To:
The families and loved ones of the people whose stories we tell. The students of BMore Me would also like to dedicate this book to the students of Baltimore City Public Schools, past and present, who helped to build the legacy that we work to represent today.
The BMore Me Student Fellowship Dear Readers, As the educators supporting the BMore Me Student Fellowship, we have the great privilege to share an overview of the fellowship and introduce the BMore Me Student Fellows’ book of poetry and archives. While we have supported the work, our students have truly been the leaders of our fellowship, and we’ve been honored to learn with and from them. Names are powerful. For our school buildings, they tell the story of communities, often memorializing people or places that reflect the neighborhood’s history. For our city’s students, they become a part of their identities – not just the names they chant at sporting events or that they represent at debate tournaments and poetry clubs, but the spaces where they write formative chapters in their lives, filled with stories they’ll reflect on when they’ve left City Schools to pursue their dreams. We recognize that it is critical that our school buildings' names reflect our values of equity, justice, and inclusion – because that’s what we want our students to represent and carry into their future. Just like districts across the nation, and with our district’s Equity Policy at the foundation of our work, Baltimore City Public Schools has recently launched an examination of our school names. As a first step, Baltimore City Schools convened the BMore Me Student Fellowship. We believe that this work must be centered squarely with the young people who represent the best of our schools. This fellowship of high school students from across the district is grounded in the BMore Me curriculum, which provides students with an opportunity to explore their voice and identity in the city’s rich and complex past, present, and future. Together, we discussed why we memorialize people and
what the criteria for who gets memorialized should be. These conversations were not easy, but grounded in equity, respect, and in the spirit of learning and growing, they were a powerful foundation for our work. Next, each student fellow chose three people for whom schools were named and, with support from partners at Enoch Pratt and using historical research skills, unearthed more about who they were and what their legacy is in our city. In the process, students found some school building names to be problematic, representing people whose legacies were rooted in the oppression of people of color. At the same time, we also found our city has schools named after people who deeply reflect our community’s culture, identity, and humanity. While the Baltimore City Schools’ community will continue to explore the naming and renaming policy and process with students at the center, the BMore Me Student Fellows wanted to ensure we uplift the stories of the people whose stories might go unknown, besides a name on a building. These poems, inspired by “Where I’m From” by poet George Ella Lyon, as well as AFRO archives, are the BMore Me Student Fellows’ attempt to do that. Although the poems of historical figures and archived stories are powerful, we believe the most powerful of this book of poetry are the poems that our students wrote about themselves. We recognize that these student leaders, who produced this while living through the new coronavirus pandemic and the centuries old pandemic of racism, represent the best of our city, both its present and future. We hope you find as much hope, inspiration, and joy in this work as we did. Sincerely, Seth Billingsley, Erica Robbins, Christina Ross
Table of Contents Amber McIver, Grade 12 | City Neighbors High School “I am From” “Where I am From | Vivian T. Thomas” AFRO Archive
1 2 3
Antwan Hill, Grade 9 | City Neighbors High School “Who Am I?” “Who Am I? | George Washington Carver” AFRO Archive
5 6 7
Belladona, Grade 9 | Baltimore Design School “Where Do I Belong?” “William Edward Burghardt DuBois” AFRO Archive
9 10 11
Camille Coffey, Grade 9 | Baltimore Polytechnic Institute “Pink and Red Flowers” “Who Are You, Samuel Coleridge Taylor?” AFRO Archive
13 14 15
Carrington Hairston, Grade 10 | Western High School “Where I Am From” “Where I Am From | Margaret Brent” AFRO Archive
17 18 19
Chamira Hodge, Grade 10 | Independence School – Local 1 “Where I Am From” “Where I Am From | Booker T. Washington” AFRO Archive
21 22 23
Dan Joyner, Grade 10 | Academy for Career and College Exploration “Where I Am From” 25 “Where I Am From | Elmer Henderson” 26 AFRO Archive 27
Ivan Henriquez, Grade 9 | Baltimore Design School “Dusk to Dawn” “A Poet’s Mark” AFRO Archive
29 30 31
Joy Kogah, Grade 10 | Academy for Career and College Exploration “I Am From” 33 “Where I Am From | Theresa Marshburn” 34 Baltimore Sun Archive 35
Lela Johnson, Grade 12 | City Neighbors High School “Where I Am From” “Where I Am From | Angela Y. Davis” AFRO Archive
37 38 39
Monet Wimbush, Grade 12 | Bard High School Early College “Where I Am From” “Where I Am From | Theresa Marshburn” AFRO Archive
41 42 43
Sereniti Johnson, Grade 9 | Baltimore Design School “Where I Am From” “Where I Am From | Theresa Marshburn” AFRO Archive
45 46 47
I Am From Amber McKiver | Grade 12 City Neighbors High School Dedicated to my mother Ebony McKiver I am from a Black church From tobacco & grain I am from energetic & organized I am from a rainbow (pretty all-time and barely ever seeing the end) I am from Black people Baked mac n’ cheese & collard greens I am from sitting outside during cool summer nights I’m from its lovely dear, and do or do not, there is no try Even now, I am from a place of love and lust Where selling anything is good if you can make a profit I am not throwing away my shot
1
Where I Am From | Vivian T. Thomas Amber McIver | Grade 12 City Neighbors High School I am from southern roots From racism & unfair advantages I am from intelligence & persistence I am from Lake Pontchartrain Causeway (the longest bridge both I and the world have ever seen) I am from hard workers King cakes & po’boys I am from leaving my hometown I’m from I can’t be smart because I’m black And Union Justice and Confidence Even alone I am from black representation, racism & unfair advantages, But they'll fold their hands and start to pray A little faith can heal a heart that's been betrayed
2
Vivian T. Thomas The AFRO Archive
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Who Am I? Antawn Hill | Grade 9 City Neighbors High School I am from the struggle I am from a single black mother I am from a darkened city where you see funerals and you see happiness I am from a mother who works 3 different jobs I am from where I lost my grandfathers I am from the place where my heart got broken I am from the place where they tell you you’re a man you suck it up I'm a young black man Even now, I think, since when were men not supposed to show emotion I believe this traumatizing city did this to me
5
Who Am I ? | George Washington Carver Antawn Hill | Grade 9 City Neighbors High School Where I am from I am from a strong black woman womb I am from the dirty fields and the cotton fields I am from I am from a plantation What's the burning sun gazing from the star in the wind blowing past my hair I am from a family that's been working for years What we eat stale bread and drink dirty water I remember my hands aching from the work I am from what I tell you to the dip back to the field and work that's all you're good for I am a slave. Even now, as I think back Have I ever been anything Else but a slave
6
George Washington Carver The AFRO Archive
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Where Do I Belong? Belladonna | Grade 9 Baltimore Design School Do I belong in a land filled with music? Do I belong in a land filled with love? Do I belong in a land filled with traditional food and family? Or do I belong in a land filled with dreams I can achieve with hard work? Switching up can cause troubles in a person’s path. I myself don’t know where I belong.
9
William Edward Burghardt DuBois Belladonna | Grade 9 Baltimore Design School I came from a land that was hell in disguise. Where the sun does not rise. A place I fought to reach my prize. And where my people were objects. A place where I began to write. And where innocent folks were killed. A place where freedom was not free. A place where a race ruled.
10
W.E.B DuBois The AFRO Archive
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Pink and Red Flowers Camille E. Coffey | Grade 9 Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Dedicated to my mom and dad who always support me. Samson and Quinten, who always bring me joy, and my friends who are always there to talk to. I am pink and red flowers blooming in May I am from barbecue, grilled on a hot summer's day I am independence and family I am from ancestor’s wishes, rooted deep in my family tree I am from textbooks, comics, stories and fairytales, growing seeds of thought in my mind. I am Broadway and jazz, with vines of melodies taking root around me I am from my thorny anxieties and budding dreams I am rosy blossoming joy Now, I am ever growing upwards Defying gravity I am reaching towards the skies I am from “But still like air I rise” I am “She’s imperfect but she tries”
13
Who Are You, Samuel Coleridge Taylor? Camille E. Coffey | Grade 9 Baltimore Polytechnic Institute I am music. I am from the bright, grandeur of the Royal College and the Presbyterian Church I am from bravery and elegance I am from the pages of sheet music, scattered and scribbled on I am from the gentle melodies of London and colorful tunes of Harlem I am the violin and the piano (making music, soft and poignant) I am the Caged Bird that will never stop singing I am Dream Lovers and An African Love Song Even now, I am music I am Dream Lovers and An African Love Song I am the inspiration for the children of the future and the dreams of my ancestors past
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Samuel Coleridge-Taylor The AFRO Archive 15
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Where I Am From Carrington Hairston | Grade 10 Western High School I am from happiness and family From happy feet and dancing I am from humor and compassion I am from dandelions and sunflowers Dandelions for making a wish and Sunflowers to put in my sister’s hair I am from grandma's house, Crabs and seafood I am from family reunions I am from legacy, And love Even now, I am from “Live, Love, Laugh” I am from legacy Part of something bigger
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Where I Am From | Margaret Brent Carrington Hairston | Grade 10 Western High School I am from confidence and admiration From education and landowners I am from heroic and dedication I am from tobacco and land Settlers and ventures I am from St. Mary’s City Key lime pie and lotus On a nice hot summer day I am from intelligence and family Even now, I am from legacy and history
18
Margaret Brent The AFRO Archive
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Where I Am From Chamira Hodge | Grade 12 Independence School - Local 1 This is dedicated to my grandmother, who passed away on Mother’s Day this year. I am from the loud & friendly neighborhood I am from the apartments and playgrounds I am from the nice and thoughtful I am from the small dogs (she is small and Black and her name is Roxy) I am from talented and helpful people I am from Maryland crabs and chicken boxes I am from you are very tall & gonna be very successful and Flame is fire that fuels the dream That powers the engine that turns the world Passion is lighting that creates a spark That lives in heart of a boy and girl. Even now, I am from a dove & rainbow And I won't let you get me down I'll keep gettin' up when I hit the ground.
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Where I Am From | Booker T. Washington Chamira Hodge | Grade 12 Independence School – Local 1 I am from segregation & success I am from doubts & racism I am from smart and dedicated I am from dusty roads and trains (back in the day there were a lot of dust roads. It was plenty of trains it was very popular for transportation back then) I am from never giving up & hopeful I am from soul food I am from educated & well mannered Dedication, hard work plus patience The sum of all my sacrifice, I'm done waiting' I'm done… Even now, I am from legacy & success That's major, just like the Negro League There was a time America wouldn't let us ball Those times are now back, just now called Afro-tech Generational wealth, that's the key.
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Booker T. Washington The AFRO Archive
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Where I Am From Dan Joyner | Grade 11 Academy for College and Career Exploration I am from Charm City I am from hospitals and grandparents I am from funny and kindness I am from dogs (white and small) I am from Orioles Magic Crabs Cakes and Old Bay I am from baseball games I am from be happy you’re still a child And forever young Even now, I am from the Maryland flag I am from Charm City
25
Where I Am From | Elmer A. Henderson Dan Joyner | Grade 10 Academy for Career and College Exploration I am from church I am from law degrees and Morgan State I am from leadership and perseverance I am from Baltimore City Schools (classrooms and buildings) I am from Baltimore (crab cakes and Dominos sugar) I am from racial injustices I'm from where you’re judged by your smartness due to your race “Every colored person ain't dumb” Even now, I am from city schools
26
Elmer A. Henderson The AFRO Archive
27
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Dawn and Dusk Ivan Henriquez | Grade 9 Baltimore Design School Dedicated to my loved ones and to the students with big dreams and aspirations from around the world I am from sunny days and quiet nights From blankets and bed sheets, I am from hope and worry, I am from a sunflower, and from a setting sun (a sunflower that nurtures from the orange, bright sun) I am from Puerto Rico, rice and empanadas I am from a sunny empty beach That’s quiet and meek I’m from the loved and the wanted, And the hopeful and the proud Even now, I’m from the grassy and green grass, And sunflower and from a setting sun I am a spark that’s full of hopes and dreams For a future that may help the people close to them
29
A Poet’s Mark Ivan Henriquez | Grade 9 Baltimore Design School A poem for Paul Laurence Dunbar, a poet, an inspiration, a man with honor, a gift to a world who cherish his life even after he moved on to a better place I am from a poem that's hopeful and oppressed From pages and songs I am from the dedicated and the passionate, I am from the fighters for freedom and for rights (a goal that must be met and must be achieved soon) I am from the praised and the determined, I am from a home that wanted children to be successful and happy From the ones that are cherished and looked up to, The ones who made a mark that meant more than they could ever imagine, I am from the pride and celebrated from people of a group that was looked down upon. I am from sadness and the addicted From a low point of life, who wanted to be home. I am from those who are honored and proud, who endured a past of hardship and doubt. I am from a legacy that inspired many and gave hope to those with dreams I am from a poem that soon became free
30
Paul Laurence Dunbar The AFRO Archive
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I Am From Joy Kogah | Grade 10 Academy College and Career Exploration I am from the quietest of the world From the warmest and friendliest I am from the depths of African cultures and free will I am from a cocoa farm (Dark as the coffee everyone enjoys and shiny as the sun) I am from the center of Africa Shining as kokki and plantains I am from the smiles of joyful praises I am from the shy’s of the world And child of the lord Alone now, I am from the future of past African history Dark as the coffee you enjoy And trying to create a future I’ll enjoy
33
Where I Am From | Theresa Marshburn Joy Kogah | Grade 10 Academy College and Career Exploration I am from the busy streets of Baltimore From the black and white photos of the past I am from the friendliest and caring I am from the rainforest Standing together with the thousands of tall trees, Staying fresh as the waters keep me shining I am from the capital of the U.S Adored like delicious fragrance of rice and beans I am from the joys of bearing a child I am from the loving And, a follower for what is right Now I am from the different colors of African skin type From the black and white photos of the past I am from my ancestors
34
Theresa Marshburn
Crossing guard saluted at rededication: Eutaw-Marshburn honors woman it was named for. The Sun (1837-1995); Baltimore, Md. [Baltimore, Md]01 Dec 1995: 1A
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Where I Am From Lela Johnson | Grade 12 City Neighbors High School I am from the east From cowboys & libraries I am from the caring & funny I am from my dog Roxie (She is goofy and hyper, she is hairy too) I am from Cockeysville Greens & pumpkin pie I am from the PAL I’m from a loud & drama filled family And I’ve heard I carry a loud boom too. Even now, I am from humble starts Greens & pumpkin pie I am human
37
Angela Y. Davis Lela Johnson | Grade 12 City Neighbors High School With her hair as structured as a cloud Her voice being loud & proud She speaks on the injustice of her people Being a women and being black felt like arrows on her back My did she stand out The space of her teeth The speckles of her face Why it was like she was bound to be something great Fist raised in the face of the man Pages written from her wise hands Beautifully aged like a white wine With words that never seem to tire
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Angela Davis The AFRO Archive
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Where I Am From Monet Wimbush | Grade 12 Bard High School Early College I am from the streets of Baltimore but they call us Bodymore, 'cause all you see is bodies more bodies lying on the floor afraid to open up the door selling drugs at every corner store a place where if you talk back you will get your neck snapped everyday they popping caps not people just bad circumstances never given second chances or passing glances were mistakes are made yet they will never fade
41
Where I Am From | Dallas F. Nicholas Monet Wimbush | Grade 12 Bard High School Early College A man from Philly come to Baltimore In a land unforgiving and unkind Battling the odds in a daily to become someone we can look up too An African American lawyer and a scholar May he live through the school system
42
Dallas F. Nicholas The AFRO Archive
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Where I Am From Sereniti Johnson | Grade 9 Baltimore Design School This is dedicated to my late mother, Chrissy I am from lost privileges From a lost mother and poverty I am from stubborn and bubbly I am from snake plants (that grow and prosper) I am from a city of crime, crab and old bay seasoning I am from putting peroxide on wounds I am from “Do as I say not as I do” I am from “Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not disrespect your mother when she is teaching you” Even now, Hummingbirds always call me, From a lost mother and poverty …Because even when it hurts, I smile
45
Where I Am From | Francis M. Wood Sereniti Johnson | Grade 9 Baltimore Design School I am from the school of the black children across the U.S From director and educator I am from activist and leader I am from a lioness’ pack (strong and ready) I am from segregation to slight integration I am from ribs and bistros I am from serving as a dedicated principal I am from “You will be great and do big things” and Take the A Train by Duke Ellington Even alone, I am from the gift of the liberty bell I am from a lioness’ pack (strong and ready) “Mama may have, Papa may have. But God bless this child that got his own”
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Francis M. Wood The AFRO Archive
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Where We’re From Poems of Baltimore’s history and present through the people of Baltimore