Justice, Equity & Inclusion: Read 'We Are Santa Monica, Black Unapologetically,' a poem by community leader Angela D. Scott

Justice, Equity & Inclusion: Read 'We Are Santa Monica, Black Unapologetically,' a poem by community leader Angela D. Scott

November 21, 2024 11:39 AM
by Lisa Parson

On Monday, Nov. 11, the city unveiled a plaque commemorating the City Council's adoption of an apology to African American residents and their ancestors for the damage caused by biased and discriminatory policies and practices of the past. This act was an important first step towards repairing the harm done to the Black community and other Communities of Color in alignment with our city's commitment to:

• identify and rectify the policies, practices and behaviors that perpetuate racism, discrimination and other negative racial-based outcomes.
• cultivate an inclusive and fair environment where all people in Santa Monica, in particular disenfranchised communities of color, thrive in the areas of health, economic vitality and connectedness.

As part of the celebration, local resident and community leader Angela Scott presented a poem in tribute to the community which beautifully captured the spirit and dedication to the pursuit of equity of the Black community in Santa Monica and is shared here.

We Are Santa Monica, Black Unapologetically - By Angela D. Scott

We see you… Apologizing for over a century of racial injustice

Discrimination, and systemic policies

We are Black Santa Monicans, advocates, unapologetically

We are our ancestors' wildest dreams

A resilient people, travelers of the Great Migration

Following the Green Book through Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia

Louisiana, Arkansas, Georgia, North and South Cackalacky, Texas, seeking opportunities

Near the Pacific Ocean's sandy shores of Santa Monica

We are current, displaced, and othered Black residents

Of the Belmar Triangle, relaxing at Bay Street Beach - our Inkwell

We are the impossible now reality, gently swathed

In a patchwork quilt with threads of blood, sweat, and tears - double stitched and knotted

From Pico Boulevard to Broadway to Bay Street

Our Residency, older than a century

Yet, liberation remains a mystery

We are… Survivors of urban renewal and eminent domain

Beauty from ashes like a rising Phoenix

Soaring above false promises, redlining, restrictive covenants

So, we sleep with one eye open

Faith in constant motion

Black Girl Magic Potion

My Brother's Keeper is better than a notion

Honoring our ancestors' call

We are ... Riding waves at Bay Street Beach with Nick Gabaldon

Silas White, Lloyd Allen, and LaVerne Ross

Receiving medical care from Dr. Donald Brunson

Eating fried chicken dinners at Everybody's Café

And barbecue ribs at the Arkansas Traveler

Drinking tea with the Philomatheons

Making a joyful noise at Phillips Chapel

A dream no longer deferred

We are… Your next tech giant, city councilmember, police chief

school board president, or Michelin-star restauranteur

We got skin in this game, a dog in this fight

We are in it to win it

We are minding our own Black Business

Our tomorrow is better than yesterday, greater than today

We will feel welcomed, valued contributors

To a thriving tourist city, where we proudly belong

Together, we rise, hand in hand

Building a future grand and strong

Our thanks go out to Angela and to the members of the Committee for Racial Justice for their tireless efforts towards advancing equity in our city. To learn more about the city's equity initiatives, visit santamonica.gov/equity.

Authored By

Lisa Parson
Project Manager

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