Caleb Rainey, known as “The Negro Artist,” expressed his grief and outrage over the murder of Renee Good in Minneapolis through a powerful spoken-word poem titled "Ode To The Immutable." The poem reflects a blend of anger and love in response to Good’s tragic death on January 7, 2026, highlighting the complexity of her character. Rainey describes Good as "compassionate," "loving," and "splendiferous," emphasizing the profound loss felt by her community.
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Raigney performed the piece at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, where he participated in an event also featuring filmmaker Nik Heftman and fellow artist Kelsey Bigelow. The evening included a screening of Heftman's documentary about Rainey’s life, which intertwines poetry with interactive workshops.
Although Rainey did not know Good personally, he spoke about the connections they shared through mutual friends and her dedication as a poet. He noted, "She’s always insisting they stop to notice," indicating her attention to detail and conscious effort to provoke thought.
In a discussion following the film screening, Rainey elaborated on the inspiration behind his poem, recognizing the importance of honoring Good’s life and story. He remarked on the role of anger in his expression, contemplating how to balance it with love in his artistic response. Rainey stresses that the murder of Good is part of a broader narrative of violence, stating, "This is not a new murder... We have known this fight for a long time."
His poignant remarks underline the ongoing struggles against systemic violence while celebrating the lives and stories of those lost.