An Open Letter To The Powers That Be

By Cherlnell Lane

I’m wearing war paint and a warrior’s stare. Snarling, with my fist raised in the air. I’m armed and ready with paper and pen. This is a Black woman’s revolt, so, let’s begin. Being the perfect Black woman just doesn’t exist. ‘Bout time we realized this See. See. That’s what I mean, You’re already trying to correct me.

I am learning my choices shouldn’t be overturned There are just some things, I need to unlearn.

The problem I have with society

Or should I say the problem they have with me? Is recognizing all of the energy flowing within I’m an Ultimate Creator, Goddess wrapped in skin. Only Black women could understand.

So, here’s the plan, I write this letter on behalf of you and me, Speaking to the powers that be

Black women, teens, and girls. You’re not what you are perceived to be, by the world.

You don’t need an excuse to be who you are no matter what anyone thinks.

I’m connecting the missing links

So, here are some notes people can take. Some facts, of which they can partake. We’re not your Mammy, your Aunt Jemima, Or your unwilling mistress. Not your baby mama, sassy homegirl, Or your appropriation muse.

We revolt against being perceived as angry when we take a stance!

We’ve taken care of everyone else, it’s time to care of ourselves.

We are holding people accountable, the old ways have departed. We are tired of being brokenhearted. By this world, country, and our own community! Black women, come take up this cause with me!

After this revolution, Black women will be a different kind. We’re working on healing our spirit, body, and mind. We are stepping into our power and being ourselves, boldly. This is a revolution of Black women being free, To be Black women, unapologetically. Until then we won’t see, That the powers that be are we.

Cherlnell Lane is a roaring fire, under a cool demeanor, with a kind soul, that she shares authentically in hopes of healing the world. As a speaker, advocate, facilitator, and poetic-storyteller Lane birthed Cherlnell Lane, LLC where she helps to relate, advocate, and uplift Black women. Cherlnell is also the creator of Writing Through it Workshops and Healing Through it Summits where she helps women to reveal, deal, and heal from Trauma and negative emotions while recognizing and commemorating Strengths and positive experiences. Cherlnell Lane uses her life experiences; to reach and inspire people with her artistry, curriculum, projects, and words.

Poem curated by Nikki Patin: Featured in The Guardian, Chicago Tribune, HBO’s Def Poetry Jam and on international television and radio, writer, producer, designer and survivor Nikki Patin has been advocating, performing and educating for 20 years. She has performed at the National Black Theater in Harlem, Brooklyn Museum, the Goodman Theater, EXPO Chicago and many other spaces throughout the US, New Zealand and Australia. Nikki Patin holds an MFA in Creative Non-Fiction from the University of Southern Maine. Patin is the Community Engagement Director for the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation and the founder and Executive Producer of Surviving the Mic, a survivor-led organization that crafts brave and affirming space for survivors of sexual trauma. Her work can be found at nikkipatin.com.

Free

Event information and registration: poetryfoundation.org/events

Saturday, November 14, 2020, 1:00 PM–3:00 PM

Youth writing workshop with Young People’s Poet Laureate Naomi Shihab Nye.

Open

Tuesday, November 17, 2020, 7:00 PM

Highlighting Chicago’s outstanding writing programs

Celebrating the Poets of Forms & Features

Celebrating

Thursday, November 19, 2020, 6:00 PM

Celebrate the poet participants in the longrunning Forms & Features workshop series.