September 12, 2005

I Am An American, and I Will Overcome

Hope after the storm, Sunset Sept 3, LaPlace LA

On September 9, 2005, The Poet Lauriete of the United States, Dr. Maya Angelou was on the Larry King Live Show. She had written this reflection on the hurricane and its aftermath and I found it compelling...a different voice and view.

With the anniversary of Spetmber 11, 2001 just past and the sobering cleanup effort under way, let me dedicate this to the "Overcommers" Those that fight the fight and dont give up.


When Land Became Water, New Orleans

When land became water,
and water began to think it was God,

Church under Water


consuming lives here,
leaving lives there,

Mansion that has seen better days near I610 New Orleans

swallowing buildings,
devouring cities,

Island in the storn, a dry spot in the road in downtown New Orleans

intoxicated with its power,
mighty power,
and the American people were tested.

Waiting for shelter at the Superdome

As a result of our tumultuousness,
there abides in the American psyche
an idea so powerful it ennoble us,
and lifts us high above
the problems which beset us.
It can, in fact,
evict fear.
It can rest despair from its lodging.
Simply put,
the idea is,
" yes, I can.
I am an American,
and yes, I can.
I can overcome."


Site of Civil War battle,and burials at Arlington National Cemetary, Arlington Virgina. ANC Photo


The one-time slave says,
I have proved and am proving
that I can overcome slavery.
The one-time slave owner says,
I have proved and I am proving
that I can overcome slavery.
The North can say,
I have proved and am still proving
that I can overcome the Civil War.
The South can say,
I have proved and I am still proving
that I can overcome the Civil War.

sign outside of neighborhood

With crime rampant in our streets,
the American can say,
our masses have not turned
into masses of criminals.
Even with blissful peace,
Americans can say,
we have not been lulled
into a contented laziness.

The Day After Neighbor helping Neighbor


The song that was so needed
100 years ago when it was written,
so needed 50 years ago
when it was used in the civil rights movement,
is of great use to us these days,
while we are still reeling
from the onslaught of the violent hurricane.
The song is "We Shall Overcome."
We shall overcome.
We shall overcome,
I pray.
Deep in my eyes,
I do believe we shall overcome.
Let us all pray
and work to enact it.

I am Maya Angelou, and I am an American.

Maya Angelou....


Flag Waving Photo Courtesy of Tomslighthouse.com

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.


And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ Ch 12:10-11