A conversation between a grandmother (G), an ancestor, and her earth-bound granddaughter (g).
G: The story goes and history shows that anything sent to crush the Black community eventually finds its way to everyone.
g: That’s what people say.
G: That’s what I know. What’s the latest crush?
g: Another semantics rush- DEI. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion or Didn’t Earn It. Interpretation depends on the person, but the powers that be wield it like a sword, spit it as a slur against anyone they deem unworthy, and the least of us rejoice.
G: DEI?!
g: Specifically, “a DEI.” Any Black person with something to covet became a DEI no matter their merit or qualifications. A job, admission to college, degrees, green grass- it didn’t matter. Now, DEI is a blanket term for our people.
G: Now, let me guess- none of those fools speak Latin?
g: Of course not!
G and g: *Laugh like never before*
g: Can you believe it?
G: Sweet Jesus on the main line! Folks are telling the truth and shaming themselves.
g: Hmm hmph.
G: We’ve always said it, but I never thought I’d see- or hear about- the day the other side admitted it aloud. Chickens are roosting for sure!
g: It’s a hard reality for them, though. They’re fighting tooth and nail to hold on to power and prejudice, and so many willingly spew lies.
G: That’s desperation, child. Projection. Let it stack up. Every proclamation takes our line higher. Sometimes, folks hate so much, it sends them in a circle until they can find right, until they can know truth. DEI.*
g: I wonder what comes next?
G: Well, a fight- a hard and dirty one. You’re already in the midst of it, but don’t you worry. America has fed its children stinking, bitter fruit since the very beginning, but our people have always made the best of it, always created sustenance from the rotten and impure. You know what to do.
g: I do. I’m so tired, though. Everyday it’s something else.
G: Their battle cry is a death knell. Don’t get stuck in the muck of constantly addressing problems you didn’t create. This mess isn’t yours to clean.
g: I hear you…
G: It’s a lot. I know. Lay the burden down, and tussle only when you have to. Sit in your joy. Hold it and your loved ones tight. Rest. Create your heaven right where you stand. Our protection is there.
g: That’s enough?
G: That’s enough. The time is nigh. DEI is an agreement. A reckoning. It won’t be too long.
g: For what?
G: Ascension.
g: Thank you. Truly.
G: You’re welcome, baby.
*DEI is a Latin term meaning “of God” (singular) or “Gods” (plural). DEI is pronounced “DAY-ee.”
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The line “don’t get stuck in the muck of constantly addressing problems you didn’t create” really stayed with me. There is something powerful in the idea that resistance is not only fighting back, but also refusing to let the fight consume every part of you. Rest, joy, creating, loving people well… those can be forms of defiance too. I loved how the dialogue made that feel inherited, almost like wisdom being passed down rather than simply explained.