Just like moons and like suns, with the certainty of tides, just like hopes springing high, still I'll rise, I rise, I rise.
Yesterday I visited the only domestic violence shelter in Philadelphia. This quote was written on one of the walls, in brilliant, bright colours. I found it striking. I also found it striking that the only domestic violence shelter in the entire city of Philadelphia has a mere 48 beds. 48. Not even 50 spaces for women and children in desperate need of safety and support. My stomach roils at this city's desperate lack of resources. We can afford to build a new stadium, yet we cannot afford to build a shelter with more space? It disgusts me.
I shall stand on my soap box for a moment. Perhaps a bit longer. Every year, in this fair city of ours, an average of 10 women are murdered in domestic violence incidents. 10 may not seem like a lot, compared to the other dead, but think - 10!!! killed by the ones who should love and protect them most! And these are only the 10 that go reported, documented, an "average". And for these 10, there are hundred of other victims whose lives are decimated by the words and hands of those close to them. If you ever wish to see my rage, then show me an abuser who raises their hand to another. There is NO excuse. It is NEVER ACCEPTABLE.
Take note of this number. Write it down. Keep it on hand. Give it out to someone who needs it, or use it for yourself. 215-751-1111 This is the 24-hour hotline number for Women In Transition, one of the best DV agencies in the city. They offer group and individual counseling to victims of domestic violence and/or drug abuse. Their services are free of charge. Here's another one. 215-386-7777 This is the hotline for the Women Against Abuse Shelter. If you have clothing, shoes, bedding, games, or toiletry items you'd like to donate, the shelter is always in need of charity. Need I say that the city's budget is hardly generous. Most of the DV agencies in Philadelphia survive off of the good will of the community. For more information on DV and DV organizations in the area, go to here.
The opening quote is from Still I Rise by Maya Angelou. She is a true goddess. Each word of her poetry, each skillfully crafted sentence, tastes delicious in my mouth. Her description of love, in Touched By An Angel, rings true in my heart. It is a favorite among many.
Touched By An Angel
We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.
Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.
We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love's light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.
Still I Rise
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
Yesterday I visited the only domestic violence shelter in Philadelphia. This quote was written on one of the walls, in brilliant, bright colours. I found it striking. I also found it striking that the only domestic violence shelter in the entire city of Philadelphia has a mere 48 beds. 48. Not even 50 spaces for women and children in desperate need of safety and support. My stomach roils at this city's desperate lack of resources. We can afford to build a new stadium, yet we cannot afford to build a shelter with more space? It disgusts me.
I shall stand on my soap box for a moment. Perhaps a bit longer. Every year, in this fair city of ours, an average of 10 women are murdered in domestic violence incidents. 10 may not seem like a lot, compared to the other dead, but think - 10!!! killed by the ones who should love and protect them most! And these are only the 10 that go reported, documented, an "average". And for these 10, there are hundred of other victims whose lives are decimated by the words and hands of those close to them. If you ever wish to see my rage, then show me an abuser who raises their hand to another. There is NO excuse. It is NEVER ACCEPTABLE.
Take note of this number. Write it down. Keep it on hand. Give it out to someone who needs it, or use it for yourself. 215-751-1111 This is the 24-hour hotline number for Women In Transition, one of the best DV agencies in the city. They offer group and individual counseling to victims of domestic violence and/or drug abuse. Their services are free of charge. Here's another one. 215-386-7777 This is the hotline for the Women Against Abuse Shelter. If you have clothing, shoes, bedding, games, or toiletry items you'd like to donate, the shelter is always in need of charity. Need I say that the city's budget is hardly generous. Most of the DV agencies in Philadelphia survive off of the good will of the community. For more information on DV and DV organizations in the area, go to here.
The opening quote is from Still I Rise by Maya Angelou. She is a true goddess. Each word of her poetry, each skillfully crafted sentence, tastes delicious in my mouth. Her description of love, in Touched By An Angel, rings true in my heart. It is a favorite among many.
Touched By An Angel
We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.
Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.
We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love's light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.
Still I Rise
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
VIEW 11 of 11 COMMENTS
If you are thinking of getting some ink done ...anywhere actually..let us know, i would love to come and watch...i really missed out this time since the tat is on my back, so i had Nyssa take a million pictures, i just haven't resized them yet...the bloody ones..
I miss you, where you been? busy as usual?