The Death of Roi Kwabena, Trinidian writer and cultural activist was announced in January 2008. A supporter of JDC for many years Roi used his poetry to speak and touch many lives not just in the city. This poem has been used in many settings over the last few years and will continue to do so in the Jubilee Movement.
wish we had a father
not only in heaven
but also on earth.
we would forgive
our debtors
and all those who
trespassed against us
the genocides…
the chattel slavery…
the indentureship…
the religious conversion….
the plunder of our antiquities….
the economic deprivation….
the scientific exclusion….
could we expect
our debts to be forgiven
so that we may feed our people
we wont be led into
military aggression
we will uphold the ideal
of tolerance and equality
we will fair trade
all commodities
we will promote sustainability
and protect the earth’s environment
oh! can we expect
our debts to be forgiven
as we adhere to principles
that will beneficial to all of humanity
we the rich-but considered poor nations
of the southern hemisphere…
http://jdcbirmingham.wordpress.com/2008/11/26/a-poem-on-debt-by-roi-kwabena/