Believe In You

It's so easy to become discouraged and lose sight of your dream.  Always remember that it is your dream and as long as you believe in you, you will see your dream through.




Young boy,
Young girl,
One day,
You will change the world
To make your dreams come true
You gotta believe in you.
It doesn't mater what people say
God can make a way out of no way.
If you have a dream to pursue
Don't let others discourage you.
Just because I can't see your dream
Doesn't mean it cannot be.
It may be more than I can see
To me it may seem like a waste of time,
But your dream is not mine
Through the winds of doubt
You must persevere
You can't run away
And disappear
The way may be cloudy,
But soon it will become clear.
That's when you know your dream is near.
Others may say it isn't so.
If you believe, you will know
You can see your dreams through.
One day you will break through.
Your dreams will come true
Just believe in you.

Copyright P. Newman-Harris

A salute to my black brothers.
We celebrate you, we celebrate your history.

I would like to share this poem, "A Poetic Letter to the African American Man"
by Stacey Evans, poet (taken from her book Real Soul Food copyright 1995.

This is for the African American Man.
He is a husband, a father, my brother, cousin,
uncle, nephew and friend.  Let it be said that
you are loved.  You are appreciated in deed.
Your struggle, the blood, sweat and tears
have not gone unnoticed.  If I could stand
in proxy and ask forgiveness on behalf of
every woman who has hurt, disrespected,
degraded and taken advantage of you, I would.
If it helps any, I do.

Your counterpart, the African American Woman
has had to discover and rediscover her role
individually as well as how she relates to you.
Affirmation is what you desire.  Support and
comfort is what you crave and yet there is
conflict and constant division.
We desire to see you take your rightful place in
our homes, society and relationships.

Glory to God for a mighty black man of God, for
he that is seeking God's direction and purpose
for his own life is a man who will know his
rightful place and he will see the wives,
mothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, nieces, and
friends become less and less complex.

Often misunderstood you are.  How we long to
know your mind, heart, your feelings, fears,
hurts and triumphs.
We want to help you realize your dreams.
The key word is help, not take, intimidate, or
discourage you from those dreams.
I love you very much African American Man.
I love you for who God created you to be, not
what society said you must be.
I want to know you, help me know you.
I want to love, encourage and uphold you.
Help me to do all three.  Oh, how I desire to see you rebuild
what centuries and years have tried to tear down.

I support you, I salute you, I pray for you and yes,
I love you African American Man.


**********************************************

     

 

Beautiful Black Nubian King

  by  Patricia Newman-Harris & Joel Williams

 

Black, bold and beautiful, My Black Nubian King,

It is for you that my heart sings
Though others seem not to know your true worth
I know God had a purpose for putting you here on earth
It is by your side I will abide
I am your Nubian Queen and we were meant to reign supreme
You are of royal birth
Sent to rule the earth
Above others you tower
When you use your God-given power
You were ordained to lead others to truth, but
Have you put that gift to use?
Meant to be the head and not the tail
You were never meant to be rotting away in jail.
It is your strength that others fear.
They know the reason you are here.
That is why they try to keep you in check
By placing a foot upon your neck
Why do you wander the world lost?
Is it all a part of slavery’s cost?
You were stolen long ago.
A horrible part of history, yes, I know.
You were bought and sold all for a price.
But God is your anti-theft device.
Because of him, the lost can be found
And things can be turned around
The sleeping can open their eyes
And one day rise
No longer should your power be bridled
No longer should your gifts be idled
No longer should these things be hidden deep inside
Next to your sense of pride
You may have lost track of where you are supposed to go, but
The inherent power within your veins has never ceased to flow
Your eyes have not seen,
Nor can your mind dream
Of the blessings you will redeem
My Nubian King,
Begin to stand tall
God will never allow you to fall
Begin to walk in pride
There is no time to hide.
You are of royal birth
It is time to fulfill your purpose here on earth
When you begin to walk in the authority that is yours to claim
The world will never be the same.
I am your Nubian Queen
Wondrous things in you I have always seen
My Black Nubian King
That is why it is you that my heart sings

Black History Month--Celebrating Our History

You Can’t Keep a Black Man Down

You can’t keep a black man down

When confronted with an obstacle,

He will just go around

When they tried to break his spirit

He wasn’t having it

They tried to steal his pride

But they couldn’t take what was inside

They tried to take his history,

But they couldn’t take the story.

They tried to take his rights,

But he continued to fight.

They tried to steal his destiny,

But God wouldn’t let it be.

They tried to steal his hope,

But his faith was beyond their scope.

They hung him from a tree,

But he never stopped trying to be free

In spite of all that was done,

Like the morning sun,

He keeps rising to the top

He will never stop.

They said he would not survive,

But he is still alive.

You can’t keep a black man down

When confronted with an obstacle,

He will just go around.

.

They Endured

Through the degradation of slavery,
They endured.
Their lives were not their own,
But they endured.
When their families were ripped apart,
They endured.
Nothing broke their will.
Nothing broke their spirit.
Nothing broke their determination.
Through it all,
They endured.
We must remember their strength,
Their determination,
Through it all,
We must remember their strength,
Their determination,
Dwells within us.
Ever time we are paralyzed by fear,
Remember,
When we become weak,
Remember,
When we feel the desire to quit.
Remember,
Every time we grow discouraged
Remember.
Every time we are knocked to our knees.
Remember.
We must get up,
Stand up.
We can't surrender to defeat.
Stand on your feet.
Keep striving,
Keep believing.
Stand your ground,
Amidst strong winds,
Just like those to whom we are kin.
It is your duty and mine.
To leave something behind.
Because, through it all,
They endured.

They Endured is part of a collection of poems
from You Can Live Your Dreams published on Lulu.com

TO THE LEGENDS OF OUR PAST

To our ancestors,

Our spiritual intercessors,

To the legends of our past
Thank you for allowing us to walk a clearer path.
As we travel the hallowed halls of time.
Memories of you always come to mind.
To the pioneers that blazed freedom’s trail,
That, through faith, prevailed.
To those such as Abraham Lincoln,
Who wrote proclamations,
Declarations
And Civil Rights Bills
Trying to cure society’s ills.
To those who fought to right the world’s wrongs,
To eradicate,
Racial injustice, bigotry and hate.
You sacrificed,
You paid the price.
To those who carried the burden of race.
Died for being in the wrong place.
To Martin and John,
Malcolm and Medgar,
To Rosa Parks
Who sparked
The flame igniting this country’s emancipation
From the bonds of discrimination.
To Jane Pittman,
Harriet Tubman,
W.E.B. Dubois and George Washington Carver,
To the firsts at schools such as Yale, West Point and Harvard,
To those who paid their dues trying to integrate segregated schools,
To our musicians who sang and played jazz, gospel and blues,
From Billie Holiday
To Cab Calloway,
Duke Ellington, Pearl Bailey, Louis Armstrong and Tommie Dorsey,
To Bo Jingles, the Nicholas Brothers, Sammie Davis Jr.
And all those who came into the back
To tap and perform their act.
To the pioneers of movies, television and radio.
To Hattie McDaniel, Eartha Kitt, Josephine Baker
And Lena Horn
That took America by storm
And paved the way for the Halle Berry’s
And Oprah Winfrey’s of today.
To those men who pioneered the fields of biology,
Geology and Astronomy.
To the legends of music, literature and poetry,
Without you there would be no record of our history.
To the legends that led this country in sports
Like football, baseball, basketball, boxing, track and on the courts,
To athletes like Arthur Ashe, Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph,
Jackie Robinson and to the Jack Jackson’s of our past
That taught us how to play with class.
To those for whom justice was blind.
To those who fought on the front lines and stepped on mines,
Commanded the sea and commandeered the skies.
To brave black men
Like the Tuskegee Air Men,
Who soared the clouds
And made us proud.
You sacrificed,
You paid the price.
We can never thank you enough.
No, we can never thank you enough.
To all those that died with unfulfilled dreams and wishes
Wanting to do more than clean toilets and wash dishes.
To my brother’s and sisters born on African soil
That died on slave ships and were thrown away with
America’s spoils.
To those who survived to be enslaved and chained,
Sold and renamed for America’s gain.
To those who awakened at the rooster’s crow
Working to repay a debt they never owed.
To the many slaves
Buried in unmarked graves.
To those who died hanging from a tree
Never knowing what it meant to be free.
From the great men to the unsung heroes
That this world will never know.
To the legends of our past,
Because of you the path is clearer,
The vision nearer
Than ever before.
You led us to the door.
Now our dreams are ours to conceive
Because of you we can believe.
You endure the pain
You suffered the blame.
We can never thank you enough.
No, we can never than you enough.
We celebrate your creativity
We thank you for our history.
To the legends of our past.
Thank you for creating a clearer path.
To the pioneers that blazed freedom’s trail
That through faith prevailed.
You sacrificed,
You paid the price.
We can never than you enough.
No we can never thank you enough.
To our ancestors,
Our spiritual intercessors,
To the legends of our past
Thank you for allowing us to walk a clearer path.

 Copyright P. Newman-Harris

Comments on the Re-election of President Obama.

As a general rule, I try not to discuss politics or religion, because people can become so passionate about both.  Today, I do have something to say and  I think it is fitting to say it on this, the day of our President's inauguration .  I feel that we, as Americans, are part one family, the American family.   Out of love, there are some things that families must discuss for the good of the whole.   I think one of the biggest problems we face as a nation is that we see ourselves as separate bodies, when we should be one.   If we are expected to succeed as a nation, it will take all of us working as one body.  Last year proved that some of us are willing to destroy this country first, to disprove our president, and second, for both party and personal agendas. 

Of all the negative things I heard last year, and there were many, this one stuck out the most for me.   Someone went so far as to say this country is "Going to hell in a hand basket."  Well, to you I say, if that is the case, it surely wasn't because of the President.  He inherited that hand basket when he took office.  Now everyone expects him to work miracles.  Although he is a talented and industrious president, he is not a miracle worker.  People want him to fix in 4 years what those before him could not fix.  It amazes me the expectations people have placed on him.  

In 2009, I was so elated by the election of our first black president, but I found myself a little bit apprehensive.    I wasn't sure america was ready to take that step.  As the years of President Obama's term played out, it became clear to me that not much had changed.  I think the nation and the world were shocked by some of the things that transpired in Washington.  It was an embarrassment to us all.   You know, as an american citizen, I am so tired of the political games.  We are all residents of this country, and as such, whatever happens affects us all.   To me, there is but one thing that matters.  Years ago, our forefathers promised every man, regardless of his station, the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  Every man was guaranteed a right to live his life free from fear of social duress on the basis of class, color or creed.  In so doing, our forefathers changed the face of this country.  Yes, we have made great strides in this arena, but what I see is that, as a nation, we are beginning to falter on that decree.  I see a nation declaring its victories while millions of its countrymen live in defeat.  As an American, I took the promises of our forefathers to heart.  When our fellow countrymen made that decree, they said no to the lies, hypocrisies and deceptions of our past.  As Americans, we can't rest until things are as they should be, because, America, that was the decree.   America, it's time to put aside our party differences and our personal agendas and  prove that we, as Americans, have the ability to stand together, united, because in the words of the great Stevie Wonder, “We either stand together or fall apart.

I can go on and on on this subject, but I'm going to end here and post something I wrote that will further explain how I feel.  There are some things the president can't say, but I can.   

To all the nay-sayers

And player-haters

Those who stab me in the back

And do nothing but attack

You can call me names

But I proclaim

It does not matter what you say

You can’t take my blessings away

You can talk until you turn blue

I know what you're saying is not true

That’s all that matters to me

In the end, nothing you do will affect me

You see, I’m not trying to please you

By the things I do

I'm only trying to win the fight

For what is right.

Unfortunately, there will always be those

Who will turn up their nose

And have nothing positive to say

All the time getting in the way

Attempting to choke my God-given creativity

With negativity

I sometimes grow weary of the fight

Who cares who is right?

It’s a shame that we can’t appreciate one another’s gifts

Learn how to uplift

Encourage each other’s individuality

Instead of being so petty

If we never get past our doctrines and ideologies

We’ll never save our communities

It will take all of us working together

To get through stormy weather

There is no room for division

Among religions

This is not the time for arguments

It’s not the time for the erection of monuments

There is no room for pretense

What I need to know is this

How do we stop the violence?

Eliminate crime.

Improve education?

And build better schools?

What do we have to do to save your children and mine?

How can we help the homeless man on the street

Give him food to eat and put shoes on his feet?

These are the solutions we need to seek

We are running out of time

We need to stop hollering about restitution

And work together to find solutions

There will be no restoration

Without communication

If we continue to fight one another

We won’t get any further

We can go on complaining in vain

And things will remain the same

For where there is division

There is no vision

P. Newman-Harris

Last Post for King Day Celebration

Dr. Martin Luther King stated, "In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check."  When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Through his sacrifices, Dr. King paved the way for us.  He laid the ground work for all the opportunities we now enjoy.   Yet, some of us are squandering those opportunities.  He placed money in your name long ago in the bank account of opportunity.  We can claim what so many never had the opportunity to claim.  For those opportunities, I say thank you Dr. King.   And I say thank you to all on whose backs we ride.

Oh What a Day It Will Be

Someday, the clouds of hate will roll away.

We will forget the hurts of our past

And be free at last.

There’ll be no suffering for anyone

No guns

Nor wars to fight.

We will walk in the light

One day sunny and fair,

We will get there.

Oh what a day it will be.

Oh what a day it will be.

Oh what a day it will be

For you and me.

All confusion, doubt and suspicions

Based on race will be erased.

We will put our differences aside

And walk together with pride.

 By and by

When the morning comes

There will be no tears to cry,

We will live as one

Darkness will no longer be our fate.

We will break all barriers of hate

 Someday,

Not far away,

As flags of peace begin to fly

We will lift our eyes to the sky

Can you feel it in the air?

We’re almost there.

Oh what a day it will be.

Oh what a day it will be.

For you on me.

Someday,

The clouds of hate will roll away.

We will forget the hurts of our past.                                    

And be free at last.

Love will rain

From every hillside and plain.

One day sunny and fair.

I know we will get there.

Oh what a day it will be.

Oh what a day it will be.

Oh what a day it will be

For you and me.

 There will be no suffering for anyone

No guns,

Or wars to fight.

We will finally get it right.

There will be no rivers of sorrow to sail.

Peace will prevail.

By and by, when the morning comes,

We will live as one

Darkness will no longer be our fate.

There will be no barriers of hate

 Someday, not far away,

As we lift our eyes to the sky,

The flags of peace will fly

The day we long to see

Will one day come to be.

Those of us who love and care

Know we will get there.

Oh what a day it will be.

Oh what a day it will be.

Oh what a day it will be.

For you and me.

copyright Patricia Newman-Harris

Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebrating his birth means appreciating the sacrifices he made to bring us where we are today

It has become a tradition with me on the day of the King Day Celebration to take time to reflect  on what Dr. King did for us.   I think, as a people,  it is something we should do both individually and collectively.  One year, while  doing my reflecting, I wrote a piece called Keep Dreaming.  I'd like to share some of those thoughts with you.  As I reflected on Dr. King's life and the things that have transpired since he was killed, I found myself wondering what  Dr. King would say if he were here today?   What would he say if he could see our children dying on the nation's streets as they fight brother against brother?  What would he say if he could see so many of our young men physically rotting  behind bars, and mentally locked behind bars imposed by drug and alcohol abuse.  What would he say to learn that in spite of all of his efforts, racial prejudice and hate is still alive and well today?

I think if he were here today he would tell us that we are the only ones who can place limitation on our dreams, that we have to dream high and reach higher.  I think he would say to us, keep the dream alive and never stop moving forward.  I think he would want us to do more than wait for our 40 acres and a mule.   I think he would want us to strive towards personal excellence by educating ourselves and seizing every opportunity that life has to offer.  I think he would fight to eradicate gang violence and unite gang members for a positive cause.  I think he would seek to help us realize the significance of returning to familiar values and morals in order to strengthen and rebuild the family unit. I think he would tell us to that in order to save our children, we as parents, must invest our time and develop an interest in securing their future.  Finally, I think he would say, my people keep marching, keep striving, keep praying and keep dreaming!

The privileges we embrace came at great cost

Lives were lost

Men, women and children

Were scarred and battered

Their dreams shattered

They suffered and endured the pain

For our gain

We have no right to cry woe is me

By God’s grace we are not hanging from some tree

We can’t forget from whence we have come

All that was done

for our gain

How can we not say thank you

For all that was done?

For the battles that were won

For our gain.

For our gain

They did it all for our gain

Men were sent to their graves

Not as free men, but as slaves

For our gain, Rosa took that ride
For our gain,

The Freedom Riders stood with pride

If we look back at our history,

We can’t help but say

Thank God for every victory

For every obstacle that was overcome

For everything that was done.

For our gain

For our gain.

We cannot fall asleep

There’s a promise to keep.

A debt we owe.

In case you didn't know,

If we are to honor our past,

There is a baton to be passed

A hill to be climbed by all

It is our destiny and our call

Martin shared his dream

Believing we’d know what it means.

Oh that he could have seen

All that we have seen

The defeats that have been swallowed up in victory

Because he labored tirelessly.

In faith he gave his life

He made that sacrifice,

For our gain.

For our gain

For our gain.

He did it all for our gain.

copyright P. Newman-Harris

Happy New Year

The Rear View

Here we are

Another year in the rearview

Yet nothing is new

At first glance,

We seem to have come far

But far is not far

When our mind is in the same place.

Year after year

We find ourselves here

Making new resolutions

Ignoring solutions

To the biggest problem we face.

We keep talking about the same thing,

And doing nothing.

Since the beginning of time

Answers have been ours to find

It has been written on the wall

If there is to be change at all,

It’s gotta begin with you and I

Or dream after dream will die

With the innocent victims that die

As we war and fight brother against brother.

Have we no love one for another?

We can’t let this year end like the rest

With a deluge of violence and unrest

We can make a change, yes we can

Take my hand

And I will take yours

Together we can walk through the door

Together we can bring peace

Together we can make wars cease

Or must we end another year

Looking in the rearview

And finding nothing new?

copyright P. Newman-Harris

Happy New Year to all!