Last night I attended Praisesongs of the People curated by former poet laureate Amanda Johnston held at Kindred Stories Bookstore, Houston,  TX. The event featured 6 of the poets in Ms. Johnston’s anthology of the same name. It was an uplifting and entertaining poetry collection of people of color on this MLK Day celebration: Asian, Black and Mexican,  all Americans. There were 3 poet laureates in the house: Amanda Johnston  and Lupé Mendez. TX state laureates and Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton, Houston laureate.

The poems were also educational. One specific poem really hit me with a fact I suspected but had not given it much thought.

Lupe shared a poem that let us into a part of a conversation with his father. His shared some feelings about experiences growing and living in America as a man of Mexican heritage. What really hit was the similarity wisdom he shared with his son that happens in Black families. It was “The Talk.”

“The Talk” is instruction on how to survive as a black male when confronted by police or any other white person who believes he/she has the authority to control your life. It doesn’t matter if you have done or are doing something that provokes this confrontation. You’re black, therefore you are probably guilty of something. This is not paranoia. It’s fact. So “The Talk” gives wisdom that increases the probability that you will make it home safely.

I spoke with Lupé after the event about this and to get his permission to use his name and story. He told me :The Talk” was very definitely a part of his community’s conversation and life. My observation is that it is even more imperative now in this Age of I.C.E..

While forces try to divide us, this reminds me that we have more in common than we have differences. Let’s protect and support each other when it is right to do. Let’s work together.

Thank you Amanda for the duration. Thank you Kindred Stories for the hosting. Thank you Poets for sharing you life. Thank you Lupé for letting us into your reality.