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We Shall Overcome
By Desiree’ “Dezigner” Green
Sing:
We shall overcome
We shall overcome
We shall overcome someday
Deep in my heart, I do believe
We shall overcome someday
WE –
Us.
Yes, you and me.
The collective.
The individual parts that make the whole.
SHALL –
Not maybe,
Not if convenient.
But a bona fide assertion.
A command to become.
OVERCOME –
To defeat what was built to break us.
Not each other.
But what was designed to divide us.
Chattanooga 1960
Loveman’s, Miller Brothers, Market Street
With an appetite for justice, young black college students ate.
They ate silence on whitewashed countertops not designed with them in mind.
They were served hate, disgust, and disdain
A menu that sold–”You don’t belong”
Agitators ordered screams, hurled insults, and spat hatred as if it were à la carte
But they sat,
scared but unyielding,
bothered but unmoved,
triggered but unwavering.
Not because they were weak,
But because they knew stillness could settle an upset stomach
Anger simmered, rage rose, but they swallowed it like the last bite from a bitter plate.
They endured jail cells for a seat at a counter.
We throw hands over seats in the cafeteria.
And for what?
They swallowed rage so justice could be served.
We choke on correction
Spit back pride cuz it tastes better than the truth
Don’t flip tables, baby, get a seat at ‘em.
We keep asking why nobody’s serving us.
Plate been made but you push it away.
Parents, Preachers, teachers shovel,
“Getcho education!” down your throats,
But education ain’t just eating information.
We’ve got platters like buffet, and we throw back everything.
Be picky – eat with strategy
It’s knowing what to digest
Knowing what to spit out.
Knowing when to sit down and when to shout.
But down in my heart I do believe…Somebody’s getting it.
We shall overcome when you remember you’re still part of the fight
Some systems don’t need chains anymore.
They just need us divided at the table
Refusing to pass the peace cuz, “I just came for the bread!”
Sitting with no place setting, starving with food right in front of us
The fight didn’t end.
It changed form.
We gotta swing at what’s starving us.
A mouth full of Peace is Power…shhhh…
Be educated enough to know when you need to have several seats.
Breaking systems starts with mastering you.
Without it, it’s a full plate with no fork or spoon
Eating like savages with no discipline.
Smart enough to argue
But not wise enough to listen.
Talented enough to shine
But not humble enough to share.
Informed enough to clap back
But not poised enough to sit back.
We react, and nothing changes.
They sat, and history moved.
Pull up a chair & let’s eat!
Sing:
Deep in my heart, I do believe
We shall overcome someday.
Meet the Poet – Desiree’ “Dezigner” Green
Desireé Green, known artistically as Dezigner, is a multifaceted creative—writer, musician, background vocalist, and slam poet—whose work boldly weaves faith, truth, and artistic excellence. She authored two original stage productions, He Lives and The Perfect Easter, both performed by her local church as powerful expressions of the Gospel through dramatic storytelling.
In 2015, Dezigner competed in the Southern Fried Poetry Slam in Little Rock, Arkansas, as a member of the Knoxville Reloaded Slam Team, representing Knoxville, Tennessee. She has been featured twice in The 5th Woman, an annual showcase dedicated to amplifying women’s voices, stories, and strength through performance art.
In 2024, Dezigner founded Hollaback, a poetry literacy program designed to foster creative expression, empower student voice, and promote literacy among youth. She continues to write and perform spoken word poetry locally and is a member of Chattanooga’s Rhyme N Chatt Interactive Poetry Group. Her work is featured in the 25th Commemorative Anniversary Edition of the Rhyme N Chatt annual anthology, Homecoming.
She lives by the mantra, “Although I walk with grace, I have a mighty roar,” empowering young men and women to speak boldly, stand confidently under the shadow of the Almighty, and pursue their purpose without fear.
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