Alabama. ..
A mythical name.
The state of segregation and cotton.
Alabama…
A seven letter word.
The heart of the civil rights movement.
Alabama…
I still can hear Gospel songs rising to the Sun.
Here King was a dope. I’m proud of the hope you bring.
Alabama…
The civil rights were right, but what happened to your light?
Alabama…
Not an easy state.
Alabama…
Feelings about you in my African heart are mixed. They are strange. I was excited to discover you. A lot of reverence in my heart as we drove on the long bridge.
Alabama…
I wanted to touch you. I wanted to see you and I did. Shining lights at night, but then the shadowy man on high. The parking lot is big, but oh, it’s getting too dark, I should better go back.
Alabama…
The restaurants so nice but the waiters, like ice. Doors are opened but hearts are closed.
Alabama…
I see those exchanging glances; I can’t escape those frowning glares.
Am I blue? Am I red? Am I black? Or Am I white?
Then Why?
Alabama…
And your R’s, oh those R’s, chatting with you is ticklish! But your beach, Supreme beach, the sunset, the white sand, the fiery waves, how Majestic!
Alabama…
Alabama, I will still love you.
Comment by the Author: This poem was written by me (Bintou) and my younger brother Josiah edited it.
Gean Cohoon
Hi Bintou,
I love your poem, it speaks, it’s more than just words. You Mrs. Bintou Peterson are beautiful and so is your heart. You my dear inspire me.
I continue to follow your blog, and will be praying for you both. Keep posting, I travel through you.
Warm regards
Gean Cohoon (Michigan)
Bintou Peterson
Hello Gean!
Thank you so much for your encouragment! I feel bad I can’t reply very fast to your comments, but I am very encouraged by you !
Carol Peterson
So beautiful and filled with so much emotion and meaning! As I read red, blue, black, white…. I thought about times when we are out together and I’m unaware of color…we are one in Christ, created in His imagine and I just hope you are as proud to be seen with me as I am to be seen with you!
Love you,
Mom
Bintou Peterson
Of course I am !!!
Frank Hawfield
Bintou, You wrote an excellent poem. The thoughts you expressed abouthe behavior of whites toward blacks you observed in Alabama should not still exist today.
I shamefully admit I harbored prejudices toward blacks as recent as 1997. I praise God did a miracle in my life in helping me putting an end toward my prejudices toward blacks. Now, I have dear friends that are Afro American and others who mative to your country!
Bintou Peterson
Hello Franck,
You are completely right. There are a lot of racial issues that should not exist anymore. I personnaly think that the key for it to happen is reciprocal forgivenness and love. Of course, years and years of grief would not be that easily erased, but if we all do it, we will finally make it. And this happen in both sides, black and white.
Bintou Peterson
Thank you for your comment about the excellency of the poem!
Betty Brown
Such good insight, Bintou. Learning to listen and empathize with each other is a good start. Also loved your blog about Alabama. Still much hurt and resentment on both sides going on especially in the south. Absolutely love the black Afro Americans I have been privileged to get to know.
Love you, sweet girl. Auntie
robertgpeterson
Thank you so much for your sweet words! You are right about the resentment and hurt felt on both sides. Love and forgiveness are the key to reconciliation. It is so nice and refreshing to hear about your experience with black afro Americans!