Let the Rose Rise
Sir Dominique Jordan
Call: Let the Rose Rise
Response: And Rise we will TOGETHER
As the saying goes,
we will never know where we are headed until we know where we have been… Quite a unique duality
between the sacrificial truth, and a barbaric reality…
In the past, vicious decisions were made that brought us to where we are today… This land,
once an honored home to many indigenous tribes,
was stolen, causing generational pain and strife, the ills of history are quite a conundrum
and the only way to cease and then,
prevent us from continuously following it, is by enlightening the ignorant,
respecting the ignored
with pure intentions and acknowledgment…
Liberation is the only solution
to slay each of the monsters of poverty, that over time have silently and patiently ate away at the fabric of what
Democracy
was supposed to stand for in the first place. DISCRIMINATION,
EXPLOITATION,
GENTRIFICATION too
Made this city so oppressive and harsh for far too many to pursue…
But best believe we’ve had trailblazers, changing the narrative on purpose, Heroes so bold
Aimlessly making Lancaster City, A place to be proud of.
Who fought for justice and broke the disastrous mold
Examples like Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith,
the inception of the basis of public education became in our backyard
and saving lives
across a proverbial train track underground have solidified their names in our used to be town forever more!
Or the story of Barney Ewell,
shaking off the ancestral shackles
They said would prevent him from striving, to make it all the way to gold,
or the work our tabernacles,
religious institutions, community centers and schools
have done to help sow seeds of our youth, who knew they’d grow to reshape a small seed of a red rose into a garden of a city!
Their stories we tell
Their legacy we must uphold and cherish To make this garden,
this City
thrive and flourish
But Let’s be clear here, previous strategic
Planning inherently harmed our most vulnerable neighborhoods,
many of those impacts are still visible.
Homes and community lost, if we’re talking unfair, this is the epitome, but no going
backwards, now we’re shifting gears,
utilizing a new approach to planning, the input of the people,
a more equitable than equal understanding To achieve benefits for everyone
Call: Let the Rose Rise
Response: And Rise we will TOGETHER
Our Future Lancaster, An affirmation in a name An evolving and involving vision
Full of vibrance for our city to reclaim
With over 5,000 voices engaged and heard The Street Piano Capitol of the World
Culture on every Corner, especially in the South East,
Changes can be made with every word we speak
As long as we step in unison,
Our city’s assets, plentiful, unique and Diverse, artistic, walkable
SoWe stay ahead of the curve with environmentally just trees,
head downtown to peep the world-renowned architecture,
Yet Our city is more than just a structure, it’s probably better to say
we are a Red Tornado, but let me slow up, close your eyes for a second for me,
just imagine and try to perceive, these changes we want to see Affordable living for all the people, a thriving business community
for our mom and pop shops especially,
Better storm drain quality and cleaner water, non profits carrying the torch for our sons and daughters,
to take us to a new regime, and one of the most important, safety in our streets,
so our seeds can sprout farther than we could ever believe,
With gratitude to everyone’s contribution
We offer this plan, the community’s solution Our Future Lancaster, our shared vision
It’s up to us now, to shape our city’s fate
To guide our city’s metaphysical growth and mission
Now that community objectives are clearly being heard
To make Lancaster the best version we can create
So let’s continue to participate and lend our voice
So In the end, A healthy and vibrant city, our ultimate reward
For a city we can all be proud to embrace
A place for everyone, with love and grace.
To make sure Our Future Lancaster is
OUR comprehensive choice to…
Call: Let the Rose Rise
Response: And Rise we will TOGETHER
Our Future Lancaster
Evita Colon
Poet Laureate, City of Lancaster
We are like the quiltwork of the Amish Many colorful pieces sewn with the intentionality of togetherness
Each piece of us standing out
Stand back and view Lancaster’s beautiful display
May we sow seeds of understanding which harvest in our future’s garden
Exhibiting the art filled guide through a diverse bouquet
Let our differences be the flowers crocheted in the fabric of our tomorrow
Let our home find strength in our sorrows
The impact of our planning, reaching pinnacles the heights of the Killaminjaro
Spanning cities far and wide
Familiarize yourself with the plight in your neighbor’s eye
Let our future be the wind left behind in Barney Ewell’s stride
We are in this race together
We must hear the song of the Conestoga’s cries The success of our purpose shall be more than a glistening prize to the tourist’s eyes
We cannot grow under the guise of togetherness Unity realizes some have been left behind
So this time
We lift our voices
We build champions from our challenges We make transformation from inequitable imbalances
Without fear of old norms we move forward full throttle
I imagine Lancaster being the model
Of an embrace of home
A place that people of all walks of life never feel alone
Where the artist paints the story of the foundation of which we’ve grown
The voice and needs of the people are enthroned
May our small businesses be the economic tone
Of reaping the harvest of the seeds the community has sewn
Acknowledge inclusivity requires accountability
Our rise requires responsibility
From the non-profits mobility to the advocates strength and agility
We know the beauty of the red rose is knowing the concrete’s fertility and durability
Bringing visibility to the nourishment in the indigenous hands
And ability to bring humility to the continued growth of a stolen land
Our Future Lancaster
Is not only an affirmation but command
From Cunningham’s to Watt and Shand
We are more than just a brand
Our future takes the collective garden of voices and experiences
Honors the culture of ALL of its people and
E X P A N D S
What our community will grow to be in now in your hands.
