Cover Art: Small Things to a Giant by Jasmine Moseley I. James Lawson, Civil Rights Icon Poetry by Nikayla Cobb Poetry by Norel Mcadoo Poetry by Adazia McDonald

James Lawson, Civil Rights Icon of Nashville

Four Nashville policemen arrive at First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill, to arrest James Lawson. He was expelled from Vanderbilt University for his participation in the sit-ins. March 4, 1960. Photo by Vic Cooley. Nashville Banner Archives, Nashville Public Library, Special Collections. Courtesy of We Shall Overcome: Press Photographs of Nashville in the Civil Rights Era.

"The forces of violence and economic deprivation and cruelty, the forces of evil, which are so well organized today in the United States, cannot prevail. They are on the wrong side of the human spirit; they are on the wrong side of history. ... Let this be the day where we recommit ourselves to continue the struggle." -- James Lawson

The Early Morning Sun

by Nikayla Cobb

as my eyes unfold for the first time, and gaze softly at one of God’s recurring gifts to us the early morning Sun I am granted yet one more chance to impact the future of my people

should I decide to follow the white man’s order? and put an end to the workshops protect our image and respect their companies adhere to their orders dissatisfy and discourage my people because apparently sitting peacefully in restaurants causes more harm than the past years have caused us

or better yet, should I decide to fight? the type of fight where mouths are silent, and fists are non existent and, the anger from the years of oppression are suppressed within us

eyes still glaring at the glorious early morning Sun yet another day the Lord has gave us And I chose yet again this day to decide to fight a “do unto others as you would have done to you” kind of fight

A Nonviolent workshop led by Rev. James Lawson, crmvet.org.

Poet’s Note: I wanted to emphasize the decision making process so that the readers could gain a higher level of respect for the people that woke up on a daily basis, knew the different consequences, and risks that they would face, but yet still decided to persevere anyway.

Rain

by Norel McAdoo

“People accept the ideological or even religious myth that if you want to get things done, violence is the way” - Rev. James Lawson honey why do They even try? everyday They come and protest Sunday to Sunday meanwhile my diner has turned to Monday night raw it seems pointless to fight over a sundae

i mean its better than slavery They can eat in the same building in the back, its practically the same feeling

They make me feel uncomfortable i liked it better when it was all white They bring all of this unwanted attention just for the police to take them out of sight

They won’t quit day after day what is gained? They’re nothing but trouble if our store was a parade They would be the rain

the type of rain that pours nonstop as if God was trying to cleanse us with rebels but my daddy raised me in the church I’m doing God’s work so They must be the devil

ScreencaptureofLove & Solidarity: James Lawson & Nonviolence in the Search for Workers’ Rights

Poet’s Note: While sitting in these restaurants, the protesters showed great bravery and resilience to not quit in the face of jail and abuse by racist white bystanders. ... If evil people believe that they are right, then they must think that people who are truly right and truly fighting for justice are evil.

Their Hatred

by Adazia McDonald

they see our skin and make us want to Bleed they used to Beat us til thick Purple Whelps poured Blood down our spines

they see us smile at a woman and they Hang us They covered us with oil making our bodies slick then Burn us alive and Laugh as our skin Melts off our bones like the best kind of ribs

we have more freedom around them but still have to stay away Separate water fountains and restaurants its Terrible Quality but at least it’s something

but We Want MORE

so we sit in their fancy restaurants peacefully they yell, scream, and call us Nigger they push us, punch us Spit in our faces chunks of chewed french fries sliding down the cheek

but we remain calm look straight ahead because they are the ones causing the harm

And that alone shows Their HATRED

Rev. James Lawson was arrested many times after protests and sit-ins.

Poet’s Note: I wanted to focus this poem on the violence that black people received back in the day. I wanted to start off with slavery in one stanza, lynching in the second, and then transition to the civil rights movement.