Soli Nicolson

I have always been a Truth Speaker and Community activist even as a young child. Growing up our family picked up the homeless downtown, cooked and served them several times a week at our church: Clifton Night Hospitality Shelter. Our father often was a overnight host. I can recall standing at vigils with our parents at the Georgia Capitol protesting the Death Penalty and other social issues at the time. We also frequented Jackson State Prison to visit an inmate on Death Row. We sent correspondence to many other inmates, as well. We were always taught to fight for those who cannot speak or fend for themselves. Having a mother who worked with various nonprofits like the Poverty Rights Office and a father who built houses globally with Habitat for Humanity instilled sense of duty to truly serve. As  Pilipino immigrant, a single mother who has been homeless with her children, survivor of severe abuse, advocate for many issues such as  Reproductive Justice, FILVETS, Dr. Chua, legislation and much more has laid much of the foundation as to why I pursue Public and Social Policy. At the end of they day, I feel helpless if I cannot help even one homeless with a meal on the street just for that day...As a writer, vocalist and spoken word artist I have used my voice to stand in solidarity with those most in need...Here is my most recent piece.

Why Policy is Important…

Soli Nicolson

10/14/14

Isang Bansa Isang Diwa

Means, ONE Voice ONE People, In Pilipino

But what everyone does not know

Is that many of us Do NOT have a choice…

We are the marginalized, disenfranchised…The seldom..  The few

What do the unemployed, poor, homeless, uneducated, and abused do…

One cat tried to claim that no one is born homeless

I spat, I beg to differ brotha, unless you figured out that

Hundreds of mothers give birth shackled at THREE points in prisons as we speak

These babies are Jane Doe’s my pastor feeds and buries each week

BAKIT, WHY we NEED to have a voice for the voiceless

Bet you’d never guess

That the Constitution is ‘Policy’ not Law

And if I do recall much of the Constitution has become convoluted in it’s implementation

Institutionalized Racism has become a manifestation

due to modification of such policies  as the Voting Rights Act

Yet another attack on the least of these

The impact of this beyond infuriates me

I became naturalized in 1983

But without my proof of citizenship-They still do not acknowledge  me

I have been denied, abused and homeless with my daughter by my side

My story helps to better serve those who’ve lost and swallowed  pride

I empathize with the forgotten because I am one in the same

There are too many souls I cannot recite all of their names:

The  Kenny Hardys, Generala Silangs, Lapu Lapus,Dr. Jose Rizals, Dr. Chuas, Troy Davises, Travyon Martins, Jordan Davises, Michael Browns and  Sean Bells, FREE MUMIAS! Amadou Diallos - just a few unjustly slain or lockedup inside hell

I have served the homeless, marched at vigils since I was a young girl.

 Visiting men on death row was just part of my family’s world.

I’ve picketed,signed petitions, head up peace/prayer rallies  and the like

Been on air each week and harassed the masses about inequality and HUMAN Rights

Our youngest brother, Drew, was brutally stabbed and beaten to death

His last words on a voicemail are all  that we have left

There so many issues that we doubt can change through power of one

But my mantra is to ‘Truly Serve’ and my work has only JUST begun…