Be Safe Make It Home

Be Safe, Make It Home


Collective Vérité
Featuring DeJuan Bland & Brittney Charisse


DeJuan Bland:
Angela Davis once said

Brittney Charisse:
“We know the road to freedom is often stalked by death”

Both:
Be Safe, Make It Home

DeJuan Bland:
I remember those words cascading from my mother’s tongue the day we mourned Phillando
Speaking to her son with skin just like his
And after an eternity of silence

Brittney Charisse:
I looked at the phone and said

DeJuan Bland:
“Ma, I’ll try”

Brittney Charisse:
I remember feeling invincible

DeJuan Bland:
Invisible they don't see the soul beneath this canvas of brown wrapped around bones

Brittney Charisse:
They told me that my tinted skin didn't matter because of my gender

DeJuan Bland:
Turning sanctuary to sanitation for them we've all been children of Brenda

Brittney Charisse:
Said because I was a womb/ I wouldn't get wounded,/until the shock of Sandra and the shot to Rekia shook me back to my black melanated skin/ My life earthquaked/ when those patriotic lights shined in my window... I used to tell you to make it home safely…

Both:
now I tell myself.

DeJuan Bland:
“Cuz it Seems like we learned to fear before we learned to dream
We learned that dreams seem too much like distractions
Just islands of our own imagination we vacation on
And this body needs all the attention I have right now

Brittney Charisse:
I knew they found you inferior and that they were inferior but I was ignorant that I had to cover my black too

DeJuan Bland:
And you were the closest heaven I could back to
Now I stay woke with you

Brittney Charisse:
Because dreams… dreams are like living in the fairytale land of free. And that’s not home for me… Or you. We just slide into home safe by chance, not because we’re brave. for it’s one, one, one strike we’re out in their game
In fact I live in fear

DeJuan Bland:
That one day your body won't be home to your soul

Brittney Charisse:
And the toll of past memories will leave me in ruin
Can't dance or sing or joke with the one I love most

DeJuan Bland:
I’ll just sit around comparing normal activities to the ghost stories that move me
we’ve filmed too much for us to un-see it
The truth fears being black mirrors something far too close to horror

Brittney Charisse:
I'm Petrified that when you say goodbye


Both:
you're really saying remember me.

Brittney Charisse:
That fear grips my soul scared that even our own will try to snatch your breath because they see the difference in the tone from your lips, can smell your accomplishments, and see your future. five senses turn senseless because they didn’t know that you were mirror to them

DeJuan Bland:
Couldn't rock with the scars pride left, they

Both:
Rather leave me lying lifeless under their feet

DeJuan Bland:
But see those are the rules of the jungle when some want to be king
And you're looked at as the little pet in their way

Both
They want you to be subjected under their feet
I mean this could happen anywhere

DeJuan Bland:
dark places, family conversations, to me it's all monkey business
But for black bodies this is the circle of life

Brittney Charisse:
Be safe,

Both:
Make it home

DeJuan Bland:
‘Cuz if I don’t what language could you speak to Lazarus the joy back into my mother’s bones
Or what song would you have them play before they close my casket shut
Anything other than “Ambition Az a Ridah” will be taken as blatant disrespect

Brittney Charisse:
If I don’t… What legacy besides martyr? what hope? Just exalted Sorrow.
What Peace? Besides a televised piece of history name scrolling... you’ll be seeing in red.

Both:
Do not let our tales be some drop in a bucket, social media, think pieces

DeJuan Bland:
Some tacky, unstudied rant giving to break the monotony of Sunday Morning service

Brittney Charisse:
If we don’t bring these bodies home

Both:
consider it as a war on God’s artwork

Brittney Charisse:
Be fearful, do pray, but I pray your silence taste like poison on your lips

DeJuan Bland:
And I pray, your indifference is met with sleep protesting your body

Both:
I pray, this body doesn’t become another spark for the movement
Be human, be black, be careful, be son, be daughter
Be Safe, Make it Home