The very people of color he speaks poorly of
Are in this country working the hardest
They’re some of smartest
Most talented individuals in their towns
They will not be intimidated, shamed, or silenced
The Grinch tried to steal Christmas
They came bearing lead pipes and oil
With hard hats
And harder hearts
They drilled into native soil
Water protectors gathered
Standing firm like a rock
They stood against a water hose in the freezing cold
And had the Dakota pipeline stopped
Water protectors gathered
Maybe Flint Michigan will be their next stop
The Grinch tried to steal Christmas
In the form of a fire
It destroyed the ghost ship that many called home
Affordable rent is what they desired
Oakland has always bred artist and activist alike
Known for politically charged murals
Flea markets
And random freestyle cyphers
And no matter how high greedy developers raise the rent
The people who created the culture of Oakland will not relent
The Grinch tried to steal Christmas
In the form of advertisement
Manipulation
Misleading us to believe Christmas is about consumerism
Burying family traditions in sales and spending
The commercials will show you bells
And whistles
Brand new peacoats
And diamond necklaces
Narrators will prompt you to apply for credit cards
So you can buy gifts that you can’t afford
The day after giving thanks
We’re urged to stampede into stores to buy more
Fortunately, my family has always been a little unfortunate
Unafforded the luxury of numbing family problems with new stuff
You begin to start envisioning things gift wrapped that ordinarily wouldn’t be
Like the roof over your head
And the foundation underneath your feet
Be mindful everyday you get into bed
Someone is sleeping on concrete
I begin to imagine my siblings with bows on top of their heads
I was blessed with the gift of a brother and sisters to share my childhood with
If you have siblings be grateful, be kind, and forgive
Stay in contact and be mindful that some people wish they did
In the words of Dr. Seuss:
And the Grinch, with his Grinch feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling. "How could it be so?
It came without ribbons! It came without tags!
It came without packages, boxes, or bags!"
He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.
Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.
Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!
******
Check out Deborah performing her poem "CJ"
