Jimmy McJamerson, a 1977 Ohio University History MA and currently a History faculty member at Grambling State University, also has a career as a poet. Two of his poems, published in 2005 in Griot, a journal published by the Southern Conference on African American Studies, were awarded the Slade Award.
One of the prize winning poems:
I CANNOT BE DENIED
From the ancient cradle of civilization to the New World, I came forth to make my presence known. The rumbling of my feet created the Pyramids and my motion set a path to discover and mold the world. No matter what you do, I cannot be denied.
Regardless of the names assigned or chosen for me whether Hamite, Cushite, Nubian, Colored, Negro, Blackman, Afro-American, or African-American, I will be heard, and I will not be denied.
The history of my people is the history of the world. Did not my sons, Aesop and Hannibal, teach you that? I gave the world papyrus-paper to record my deeds. I built cities that rival the wonders of Rome. I will be remembered.
From the Moors in Europe to the shores of North and South America, my history is present. Black History will not be denied. My monuments are showcased on your dollar bill and yet you do not mention me. But the truth be told I am like the wind: I am everywhere and my presence is felt.
I laid out Washington, D.C. and was present at the birth of the Statue of Liberty. I gave life to the New England Way and built the “peculiar institution” of the South with the blood and sweat of my people. I cannot be denied.
I fell asleep and my snoring gave birth to a new beat, you call it Jazz, and then I opted to use my voice and mixed the beat and gave gospel to the world. Even my color of blackness graces the iris of the eye. My handiwork is ever present; I gave you the blood transfusion-the lifeline of mankind. I told you, you cannot deny my existence.
Your battle fields are stained with my sons’ blood and yet you doubt my capabilities. My warriors and strategists have conquered many; remember Shaka Zulu. Hear me now, and take heed: I cannot and will not be denied.
I took a little bit of “this and that” and seasoned it my way and gave the world a feast fit for royalty. With a cut here or there, mixing fabrics with the right shade of hue, I added style to clothing by setting the trend and breaking the dullness of night and day.
Forbidden to and punished for attempting it, we still survived to master the art of reading. One hundred and fifty plus years after slavery, we have excelled beyond compare. I am bold, inventive, talented, courageous and intellectually astute. I cannot, I will not and I refuse to be denied!
Copyright@ 2002 by Jimmy McJamerson. All rights reserved.
