LETTER TO THE EDITOR: A tribute to black women

To the Editor:

In acknowledgment of Women’s History Month, I have seized the opportunity to compose this “Ode to Black Women” and all those who can relate.

The literary poet Tupac Shakur canonized our love and admiration for our women to a generation of hip-hop heads with his rhythmic serenade of his mother entitled “Dear Mama.” Prior to that, the Spinners performed “Sadie,” which spoke to the loss of a matriarch and the reality of her presence missed.

Boys II Men produced the R&B classic “A song for Mama,” while Bill Withers reminisced about “Grandma’s Hands” and the lessons they taught. One of my personal favorites is “Wild Flower,” performed by New Birth. It captures this “iconic woman” as a rose flourishing despite all of the pressures she so unjustifiably endures with a quiet dignity.

I will end this as it started, with Tupac Shakur’s poetic piece entitled “The Rose That Grew from the Concrete.” He illustrates how we are living epistles and miraculous in our very existence. If you ever feel unappreciated due to our misguided gestures at times, on behalf of myself and my brothers, “I apologize and declare that we need you.”

Please take this soundtrack of our souls and listen as needed. If you haven’t received roses lately; please realize you are the rose and I pray these words serve as rain to water you.

To my mother, Myra Ferguson, “Thank you for teaching me to love” xxxooo

FYI the song “Wild Flower” was originally performed by a Canadian group Skylark. Some themes are universal

Michael Ferguson

Albany