Social Justice Inks: Anthology of Poetry

By Zaneta Varnado Johns

Social Justice Inks is about expression of social justice concerns and about working through these concerns, seeking answers is an ongoing process. We asked poets to offer their creative expressions about Social Justice and what they think about how to solve social problems in the world.

This collection is from poets around the world, offering their points of view about Social Justice. It has brought chill bumps to rise, blood to boil, hearts to beat, and hope to ring true.

It has often been said that awareness is the key from apathy to action. The writers offer such a strong awareness from so many perspectives. What will be interesting to hear is how the reader is affected and if the words stimulate change.

Last, we cannot express deeply enough the appreciation for all these talented individuals who have come together to establish a community for social awareness.

It has been a delight to work with Kay Payne as we developed a concept for the cover art. What I was looking for is something to show the positive spirit and power of nature. This evolved to the wreath of unity decorated with the spirit animals which came to mind. It is by no means exhaustive but was designed to show the power of the spirit. This comes from my personal belief that with unity we have strength and with strength and spirit we have power. May we always use that power to make positive changes in this world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Prolific Pulse Press LLC
• Release date: May 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9798986323701

Book preview

Epigraph

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Letter from Birmingham Jail 1963

Prologue

Robin Klammer

Spark a Fire for Social Justice!

What lights you up?

What dreams and passion overflows from your cup?

What injustice makes

you wanna scream?

What changes do you hope to see,

What's your dream for our global community?

If we stay silent,

We've already lost.

Let's get ready to make

some changes in our world

Shout from the rooftops of our heart

Get your poet on!

And let's start getting

our voices heard,

From near and far!

We gain strength in numbers,

Make your voice count!

Dedication

Thank you for all the talented poets who contributed to this anthology. I trust you will be captivated by their voices. The message is clear. Social Justice must be an always kind of endeavor, a way of life. Take the time to hear these voices and let’s hear your voices, too.

Thank you to Zaneta Varnado Johns for her wonderful input as co-editor for this publication. It helps to hear the voice of another soul when making such important decisions.

Thank you to Robin Klammer for writing the introductory poem. She has been

making an impact, including making this happen.

Thank you to ShugaShuga Publishing LLC for providing the support much needed. And thank you for helping me get the word out to your prolific poets.

Thank you to Chyrel J. Jackson for being the strength behind this effort to make a difference. She constantly encourages me and her fellow poets and writers.

Thank you to Garden of Neuro Institute for their support with promoting this effort.

Thank you to Living Poetry for providing the platform for our open mics, book launches, and literary events. What a swell group of people.

Thank you to Kay Payne for once again wowing us with her artistic creation of the cover art.

Last, but never least, I thank my family for always being my supporters who celebrate each book released.

Table of Contents

Epigraph

Prologue

Robin Klammer

Spark a Fire for Social Justice!

Dedication

Bartholomew Barker

Angry Summer Sonnet

Bartholomew Barker

Unacceptable

Bartholomew Barker

Men Like Me

Binod Diwadi

Justice

C. Miller

Spare Change

Chanah Wizenberg

The Blacks are Taking Over the Post Office!

Christopher D. Sims

Poetry That Gives Birth To Revolution:

The Road To Solutions

Christopher D. Sims

I Stood Where George Floyd Was Killed

Chyrel J. Jackson

Unquenchable Flames of Injustice

Chyrel J. Jackson

Bloody, Battered Knees

Chyrel J. Jackson

Demonized, Other-ized & Monetized

Dan Brook

Rosa Parks: In Memoriam

Dan Brook

Rosa Parks

Doug Stuber

Dandelion

Doug Stuber

How to Save the World (in one sonnet or less)

elliot m rubin

roe vs wade vs religiosity

elliot m rubin

hypocrisy

elliot m rubin

deadly tuesday

elliot m rubin

identity

elliot m rubin

ak-47

Howard Moon

Finding a Home

Howard Moon

Who Is The Other?

Indy Samra

Paki

Ivor Steven

A Hard Rain’s A’Gonna Fall on Polar Bears

Ivor Steven

Burnt at the Cross

Ivor Steven

That Nightly Sound

Jaya Avendel

I Dare

Jaya Avendel

Embracing Diversity

Jia-Li Yang

2030

Jia-Li Yang

The First is the Last

Jia-Li Yang

I Fought for You

Jill Sharon Kimmelman

Rapscallion’s Toys

Joan McNerney

Super Woman

Joni Caggiano

Silenced

Joni Caggiano

Prayer For This Day

Joni Caggiano

Blood Ring

K. Ann Pennington

Fair Play

K. Ann Pennington

Selma to Montgomery

Karuna Mistry

Polarity

Karuna Mistry

Plastic Fantastic

LaVan Robinson

Our Face

Lisa Bolin

Liquid Gold

Lisa Bolin

it’s time

Lisa Bolin

stardust songs

Lyris D. Wallace

8 Minutes, 46 Seconds

Lyris D. Wallace

I Can’t Breathe

Lyris D. Wallace

No Justice for Breonna

Marisela Brazfield

Bob, the rain’s still hard

Marjorie Maddox

True or False

Marjorie Maddox

We, Too

Marjorie Maddox

Right

Nanci Arvizu

What It Is To Be Awake

Nanci Arvizu

Thoughts on Ignorance and Arrogance

Norbert Gora

A call to change a mind

Nayanjyoti Baruah

Karma

Pratibha Savani

Behind a Garment

Pratibha Savani

What Do I Know?

Pratibha Savani

So if I were a man...

Rebecca Herz

Protests on Fire

Rebecca Herz

Biosculptures

Rebecca Herz

Privilege at the Protest

Reena Nag

LIGHTS AND DARKNESS

Reena Nag

DECLARATION

Richa Dinesh Sharma

Black hole

Richa Dinesh Sharma

Melanin

Richard Fireman

Pith

Richard O. Ogunmodede

CRUCIFY NOT YOUR FELLOW.

Richard O. Ogunmodede

IS THERE HOPE ACROSS THE SEA?

Richard O. Ogunmodede

FOR THOSE WE LOST TO COVID.

Robin Klammer

Humanity on a Shelf

Robin Klammer

Suffer The Little Children

Robin Klammer

What I Wish People Could See

Robin Oakman

seeing and being

Rupa Rao

Happy Co-Existence

Sarfraz Ahmed

A Dark Entity

Sarfraz Ahmed

Child Soldier

Sarfraz Ahmed

Howl

Steve Anc

In search of justice

Steve Anc

A dream of unity

Steve Anc

I am somebody

Susan