We may never know the coming future
Nor can we ever change the past.
But let’s make the best of things as we endure
For nothing’s ever permanent;
Nothing can forever last.
                                                                                                    
Excerpt from poem titled Trying Times by May M. Phyu

VISION QUILT VOICES

On this page, we want to honor the voices of our youth that come to us in the form of the written word, poetry, videos, and visual art. Young people express their hopes and fears in creative ways and Vision Quilt wants to highlight their talents, help inspire others and most importantly: ignite positive change in this world. ​

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Black Lives Been Mattered

The Black woman,
there are an infinite amount of words to describe
Beautiful, powerful, sun-kissed, and full of pride 
Not pride full, but full of pride see there’s a difference,
when you are forced to hide who you are in order to be accepted
So the things you do and the way you act begins to get rejected, by society
It seems so “easy”, to be a black girl but no one will truly understand your struggle
They call you the “angry black women”
Ill-tempered, overbearing, hostile, and ignorant, 
all these words burn like acid when said
These characteristics are stamps that are placed and taught and read
The Black woman is strong
All shades of beauty, with hair from short to long
A Goddess from her head to her toes, and oh don’t touch her hair.. 
You should know how it goes
Hair natural with tight small curls, like Martin stay telling Gina“you go girl”
Hips that don’t lie and sway when she’s walks
Posture almost perfect, when she sits down to talk
And she speaks.. 
I can’t breathe
12’s hand around his throat as he surrenders on his knees 
My melanin is a rationale for my death 
It seems that every day I walk into a classroom-like world just waiting to administer a test 
And no. I didn’t study. I am not prepared 
Not prepared to share to my children that when you walk down the street your target practice for the police 
That you are seen as a threat to a man that makes triple your figures and can end your life with one click of a trigger
I’m so serious, I can’t breathe because your hand is around my throat, I’m trying not to choke as I struggle to identify your badge number through your black coat
I can’t breathe because my white friend’s mouths are sewn like Coraline the doll
But as soon as they hear about a party in Oakland, I’m the first black friend they think to call
I’m angry because the systematic oppression is not taught in your white history book
Causing anger, depression, and division based upon looks 
If it is HIS story, who the hell is he?
The white man that stole land from my ancestors which essentially leads back to me 
Y’all owe me some form of money 
You took my justice, you took my liberty and I’m not even going to pursue happiness 
Because I’m pissed
Other cultures wanna talk about all the things they wrestle with 
But when we say BLM there desolate, 
I’m trying to figure out what’s going on in your head 
I can’t brea --

Just like that. I’m dead.

Liana Parrish
is a senior at Bishop O’Dowd high school in Oakland, CA. She lives in San Leandro and is passionate about social justice, enjoys painting, writing poetry and learning new things. She plans to major in psychology at San Diego State University. 

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Interview with Vision Quilt Founder Cathy DeForest

Vision Quilt Founder, Cathy DeForest sat down with Janine Grossmann, who hosts the motivational podcast Quest For You, which focuses on helping people overcome obstacles and discover their full potential. Janine, who lives in Oakland, was introduced to Cathy through Amana Harris who also shared her important work with the AHC on her podcast.

In this interview, Cathy talks about how Vision Quilt as an organization came to life, how she decided on the name,  and how it contributes to creating change in our communities. She shares some of the key milestones of the Vision Quilt Journey, such as the collaboration with Lighthouse Community Charter School. Partnership with other organizations is a critical element of Cathy’s work. This became especially important during the pandemic, as other groups like the Oakland Frontline Healers began to form to address similar issues related to education, violence prevention and homelessness. 

We encourage you to listen to this interview not only to learn more about Cathy and the important work of Vision Quilt, but also to allow yourself to be inspired to think creatively about how you can contribute to make your community a safer place.
Because: Together we can prevent gun violence.

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May Phyu
is currently a freshman and Oakland High School in Oakland, CA and wishes to go to college after high school. May loves reading, drawing and poetry.

Trying Times

It came, creeping up unrecognized;
Looks like a cough, probably a cold.
Then, cleverly sly, slowly and steadily,
Took over as it exponentially grow.

Covid-19, you’re invisible to the naked eye
And have taken advantage to pounce unexpectedly.
You’ve taken away too many lives
That venturing out and hearing a cough
Can make one freeze.

Pandemic, that’s what we’re in
So as to avoid the dreaded virus, face to face.
School buildings are now pretty abandoned
As distance learning takes its place.

Technology is the main key now
When all students and teachers
From home attend.
But some would feel quite left out,
Unfortunate to meet such demands.

For those with many a relative living,
And but one lone electronic for work and school,
Must share it around their families
And risk missing out on theirs, too.

Young kids and teens, and workers alike,
Feel a new burden on their backs.
Cooped at the screen, some dreams out of sight,
They mourn for what they lose or lack.

Some lose control, some lose hope,
Others need time to adjust.
Living in confusion and trying to cope
While the question burns:
“When will it end and turn to dust?”

We may never know the coming future
Nor can we ever change the past.
But let’s make the best of things as we endure
For nothing’s ever permanent;
Nothing can forever last.

Covid-19, you have caused much change and stress
For all those who catches
And those worrying they’re next
But when we’re diligent, together we’ll end your mess.
And we shall be able to refuse to be vexed.

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“The Vision Quilt Project is needed in every community.”
Regina Lites, Deputy Probation Officer, Oakland, California

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HELP US REACH MORE COMMUNITIES
Donate to Vision Quilt to help us extend our work to more communities throughout 2020. 
Vision Quilt is a 501(c)(3) and all donations are tax deductible. The money is used to purchase materials for working with students, organizations and community members in creating individual panels and exhibiting the Vision Quilt.

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