Brian’s Reflection: Friday, February 6, 2009


They tell us to forget
Democracy is spurned.

They tell us to forget

The Bill of Rights is burned.

Three hundred years we slaved,

We slave and suffer yet:

Though flesh and bone rebel,

They tell us to forget!
Oh, how can we forget

Our human rights denied?

Oh, how can we forget

Our manhood crucified?

When Justice is profaned

And plea with curse is met,

When Freedom’s gates are barred,

Oh, how can we forget?

- Melvin B. Tolson, American poet, appointed
Poet Laureate of Liberia 1947; born on this
Day, 1898 (died 1966), in Missouri

Melvin Beaunorus Tolson was born in Moberly, Missouri, the son of a Methodist preacher father and a mother of African-Creek ancestry. He was an educator, columnist, and politician, as well as a poet. He was influenced by the Harlem Renaissance, but spent most of his career in Texas and Oklahoma. I had never heard of him - and I thought that many of you would not have heard of him either. So, I’m taking this opportunity to “introduce” him. Give him a Google!

His poem is particularly poignant at this time in American history, as an African-American man becomes President of the United States, 150 years after slavery was abolished. The God of the Bible is a God of Justice. And our Baptismal Liturgy in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer pointedly reminds us that the God of Justice requires of us to “respect the dignity of every human being”.

We have begun a new era. Slavery can never be forgotten. But may we vigourously pursue a new path of justice and compassion, or respect and of honour. This has taken far too long. The Biblical God demands that we “do justice”, and walk humbly in the Way of repentance and reconciliation.

Brian+