This poetic tribute was written for “Amazing Grace” an ecumenical celebration (oecumenische viering) to mark the Emancipation of Slavery in Suriname and the former Netherlands Antilles. This service held at Dominincanenkerk Sint Thomas van Aquino in Zwolle, Nederland on Saturday 25th May 2024.
Presenting the tribute was Sahsjah who previously lived in Sint Eustatius where she had played the part of Black Harry on previous occasions. As an 18 year survivor of breast cancer, she could also identify with One Tete Lohkay whose slave masters cut off one of her breasts to teach her the lesson of submission that she refused to learn. She was a warrior indeed.
One tété Lohkay
One tété?
Just one breast.
Just like me.
Her loss not to carcinoma
but that other cancer-
Transatlantic slavery
where black woman’s body
was slave master’s playground,
uneven white supremacy
over back inferiority.
Persons as property.
Slave masters and mistresses made white
by God’s hand
black bodies formed from earth’s dutty clay
for white man to mould.
She resisted- knowing truth.
The Maker’s image was hers.
One breast or none
Tété fought battle of faith
in God’s provision for all.
Freedom fighter
whom the Son set free.
The true Planter
finding food denied her
and Cul-de-Sac slave
defying injustice and oppression
cherishing the vision
pursuing the mission
equality for all God’s children.
Tété hero
Rebellious fighter
continue to inspire
woman, man, child
to live with pride.
Handmade by the Creative Master
of Love.
Erect Tété Monument
in Zwolle too
St. Maarten’s story for Nederlander true.
Thirty-eight miles
nearby
Sint Eustatius
saintly Methodist.
Righteous anger on display.
Black Harry
Pioneer of faith
beaten more than Paul’s
thirty-nine stripes
wounds inflicted for preaching
and publicly teaching
God’s grace to African slaves
same as for European owners.
Tar Black Harry would not stop
Would preach till he drop.
The bible his rule and guide.
Took his blows with pride.
Over and again
Like Tété
Undermining the lie
racial purity
of blessèd white
versus cursèd black
attacking the injustice
of privilege and power
making slaves cower
in fear of almighty
puny master
coloniser
grabbing lands
of Tayno Arawak
replaced with black bodies
from West Africa.
Human machines
tilling, sowing,
harvesting guilders
for European Power land.
The world still held
in God’s hand.
The world still turned
in God’s plan.
Emancipation declaration.
Emancipation coming.
Grace amazing.
Truth unfolding
Freedom advancing
Believers knowing
Grace liberating
Minds transforming
God’s rule advancing.
Your community coming on earth as it is in heaven.
Joan Delsol Meade. May 2024.
Written for Amazing Grace Ecumenical Celebration, Zwolle Netherlands, May 25, 2024.