On March 27, 2019, spoken word artist MayaSpoken performed two pieces at the Families in Canada Conference 2019, We Shall Rise and When You Were Born.
Maya Basudde (MayaSpoken) is an award-winning spoken word artist, author, keynote speaker, workshop facilitator and program facilitator. Since winning her first poetry slam in 2015, in which she shared her story of overcoming abuse and racism throughout her years in high school, she has performed spoken word around Ottawa spreading a message of hope and empowerment. Maya is also founder of the Tell ’Em Girl Women’s Spoken Word Showcase and author of Warriors in Broad Daylight. She is recipient of numerous awards, including the 2017 RBC Spirit of the Youth Capital Award and the 2018 CBC Ottawa Trailblazer Award in 2018.
WE SHALL RISE
Raising our fists to the sky like fireworks on the first of July
We are sending out a message
not to prove that we are aggressive
but a message to the oppressive
that we will not be disrespected, neglected, or rejected
that although the system is a game, we are not toys created to be a part of it
That we have courage in our veins like it was injected
when we raise our fists to the sky this is the message projected
We shall RISE
Raising our fists to the sky with a diploma there’s a new aroma
it smells like success and it feels like greatness
it looks like beating down any negative expectations with a front kick
it sounds like “Mama we made it”
In a system not built for us to succeed
Indeed, we did, and we shall
RISE
Raising our fists to the sky in front of a congregation wearing all white
holding hands
side by side as tears of joy slip out of our eyes
there is a new message we no longer hide
we defeat the stereotype that true love for us doesn’t exist in this life
her in her gown and him in his suit and tie
promising each other that together
We shall RISE
Raising our fists to the sky with a bottle of champagne
celebrating all that is great
giving the opposition a reason to hate
understanding that success was worth the hard work and the staying up late
we tell everyone that said we couldn’t make it far that they were wrong
and that no matter what the odds are
We shall RISE
Raising our fists to the sky, announcing our victory
We shall RISE
Coming together celebrating our history
We shall rise
As much as the world will try to break us down
WE SHALL RISE
we’ve come too far to give up now
WE SHALL RISE
WE SHALL RISE
WE SHALL RISE
WHEN YOU WERE BORN
When you were born you cried a cry that looked purpose in the eye and said
“You are mine”
From the moment you began to take up space
the sun and the moon took turns sitting in just the right place to look upon your face
and be seen by you
You
with dreams big enough for people to yell impossible
You
who feels like giving up?
On life, on hope, on dreams, on love
You
Who the sun pierced through the clouds in the sky just to get a look into your eyes?
I know
It feels like the world is turning against you
But maybe the angels up above are shaking things up just so they can get a look at you
Why?
Because your very existence despite all that you have witnessed is proof that purpose listened
when you first grabbed a hold of life and said
“I got this”
Now even in the darkest of moments when the world doesn’t make no sense and your mind is full of questions
In comes purpose with a beating in your chest to remind you that this life right here is worth it
Full of beautiful moments that you just haven’t experienced yet
Laughs that your belly hasn’t felt yet
Smiles that your cheeks haven’t worn
Stories your lips haven’t told
And lives that are waiting to be changed simply because you decided not to give up on yours
So, when you feel like letting go
Remember that there is so much in store
And it’s yours
So, wipe your tears
And take deep breaths
It’s not over till it’s over and you are far from finished
As a matter of fact
You are just getting started
Published with permission on April 30, 2019
