Racism’s Hem
Some days,
I think it’s possible
the tearing away of it
the pulling at its frayed hem
its full
unraveling
the way it could
(eventually)
dismantle
become unspooled
thread
some day.
But
Most days,
I realize the improbability–
the strengthening
of its seam
the inestimable tightening
of its durable cross stitching
the way it remains
so firmly
in place
over time.
Then
From time to time
I remember
its ability to
regenerate
reinvent itself
fashion itself anew
give itself a new label
alt right strand
tea party twine
proud boys (and girls) cord
readied to weave
reimagined patterns
on
antiquated
confederate cotton
But
as time tries
to unstitch its
ubiquitous hem
new string
a new needle
more exacting hands
sharper eyes (with a repurposed vision)
an adjusted
customized pattern
a new design
emerges
each time
more decidedly
will safeguard
racism’s
reinvention.
Always
I see
the way it
re-dresses
hems itself back into
place
into eternal
permanence.
Copyright © 2021 by Uva Coles
Uva Coles is a professional keynote speaker and writer whose work has been featured in the Philadelphia Business Journal and The Philadephia Inquirer, among other publications. She is also a guest columnist for Al Día News and a recurring bilingual (English/Spanish) television guest commentator and analyst on inclusive issues for Telemundo and NBC. A native of the Republic of Panama, Uva is an orgullosa (proud) Afro-Latina who lives in Delaware with her husband and two sons.
