Flame Kept At Wilson

As over 50 people gathered on the floor at Wilson Branch Library, Deborah Elmore acted out a skit in which she played the role of a hospital doctor and a television news reporter.

The doctor was answering questions about a pandemic that was sweeping across the world, one that was incurable and deadly. As the doctor referred to this ​“disease” as something that did not reach those with certain ​“privileges,” it became apparent this was an analogy to the systematic racism uniquely experienced by people of color.

This was one out of a series of plays and poetry readings performed at the Wilson Branch Saturday afternoon to close out Black History Month. The activity was marked by lively music, food and the warm welcoming of guests.

Prior to the performance and during intermission, visitors were invited to walk around the room where artwork, books and posters were on display celebrating African heritage.

The activity continued with chorus, skits and poetry readings written by Elmore, and performed by members of the organization Sisters with a New Attitude (SWANA).

The performance opened with singing of the Black National Anthem by Keepers of the Flame. A torch was passed across members in front of the audience, commemorating the victims of racist violence and killings in the span of the past century. This was then followed by a poetry series called, ​“The Three Rs: Racism, Racial Profiling, and Reparations all through the Art of Poetry.”

Elmore is the founder of SWANA and goes by the penname of Sister Deborah. She began writing poetry while she was personally struggling with drug addiction. She has been involved in community activism for over 20 years since, reciting her poetry and inspiring people in churches, rehabilitation centers and correctional facilities. The performance encouraged listeners to connect to their own cultural roots.

“I am the great, great, great, granddaughter of Eve — the woman who lived in Africa and the very first woman to conceive,” said Elmore in ​“A Letter from our Ancestors.” ​“I am the flesh of her flesh, the blood of her blood.”