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Vanessa Renee Williams

@vanessarwilliams1

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I paint and sing a little.

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EXTRAORDINARY

Why do you have to be extraordinary

In order to be acceptable

While mediocre fits the bill

For others who seek to lead?

Why do YOU have to be EXTRAORDINARY

In order to make them comfortable?

Why must YOUR resume be full

Of skill sets THEY don’t need?

Why do you have to be extraordinary

In order to sit at tables where

Others pull up without a care

Nor, fear they don’t belong?

Why do you have to be extraordinary

And subject to the scrutiny

Of crushing mediocrity

Gross ignorance; stupidity

As if nothing is wrong?

Why do YOU have to be extraordinary?

Since when is competence a foe?

(Your excellence is powerful

Your mind makes them uncomfortable

It kills their narrative)

Why do you have to be extraordinary?

Ancestors said, “Be twice as good!”

It’s evident, THEY understood

The playing field would NOT be fair

You’ve no prerogative

Why do you have to be extraordinary?

Should you excel, ANYWHERE

You’d have to leave no stone un-turned

You’d have to prove all that you’ve learned

As goalposts moved about

Why do YOU have to be extraordinary?

Sterling achievements whited out

But you know what THAT’S all about

They, too, are quite aware

While sowing seeds of doubt

Why do you have to be extraordinary

While others, with BARE minimum

Decide how systems should be run

Judging and ranking everyone;

Making arbitrary demands?

Why do you have to be extraordinary?

At what point do you say “Enough!”

Expose the slick and shady stuff;

Centuries-old fear and bigotry

That seek to crush equality;

Snatch away opportunity

With grossly unclean hands?

Why do YOU have to be extraordinary?

Why this imposed insanity?

In EVERY industry, it’s found!

Some climb, while others sneak around

Cheat, lie, and no one makes a sound

Please, help me understand!

Why do YOU have to be extraordinary?

Why are YOU an anomaly

Whose brilliance simply can’t be true

So they need to be rid of you

To make room for their choice cuckoo?

Why?

Just because they CAN???

~Vanessa Renee Williams
@ 2025

#poetryprompt
#FlashbackFriday #currentevents by @vanessarwilliams1

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20 hours ago

#ArtMatters #ArtLives @wellspringmanorandspa #HappyPlaces by @vanessarwilliams1

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13 days ago

Wishing a very Happy Birthday to my first best friend; my dear big sister, Robyn! @rcarlin30
She’s dedicated, hard-working, funny, generous, loyal, supportive, and smart. She loves God, family, and is a great wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and educator. She knows more about sports than any non-athlete I know...She would totally crush Jeopardy! Her mind is absolutely brilliant! She’s a problem solver—analytical; thorough...Mathematics is her game, (Mahjong, too!…Lol) as she crisscrosses Louisiana to provide exceptional professional development to its educators, AND she can whip up a mean pot of gumbo!
Have a great day, Girlie! Love you!🎉🎈🎁🎂❤️🎶 by @vanessarwilliams1

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17 days ago

#cityscapes #artmatters #DC by @vanessarwilliams1

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18 days ago

There’s nothing like a handwritten note…and a few other necessities. Thank you @capitolhillsda family. It’s always a joy worshipping with you. by @vanessarwilliams1

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20 days ago

It’s been a good day.🙂
#ArtWalk #ArtMatters #ArtHelps #ArtHeals @wellspringmanorandspa by @vanessarwilliams1

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a month ago

🎶Happy Birthday, dear Lauren! Happy Birthday to you! 🎶 .
Love you @lavahi !
Have a wonderful day! ❤️🎁🎂🎉🎊 by @vanessarwilliams1

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a month ago

#ArtMatters @wellspringmanorandspa #GalleryWalk #ArtHelps #ArtHeals by @vanessarwilliams1

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a month ago

She’s the best daughter in the whole, wide world. I couldn’t be more proud, thankful, and grateful. Happy Birthday, dear Lisa! Happy Birthday to you!❤️🎂🎁🎊🎉🎶❤️ #ThatsMyBaby @lililocke by @vanessarwilliams1

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a month ago

@orrin_evans 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 #musicmatters #dcjazzfest #TheWharf #TransitPier by @vanessarwilliams1

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a month ago

@ekepnkwelle #Outstanding #HUYouKnow #MusicMatters #KeepShining #DCJazzFest by @vanessarwilliams1

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a month ago

“L’il gal! If you don’t come out away from that window!” ~TheAncestors
#AtMidnight #PGCounty #DMVweather by @vanessarwilliams1

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a month ago