Have you ever noticed the strength and oppression of a black person’s mind1
As they strive to be a completely accepted human2
It’s as if we’ve moved from the rocks of hell3
And we’ve worked to achieve the mysteries of chaos4
But we slave, work, not for the “slave masters,” but ourselves5
Some see us as equals, as well as ones who are no longer things6
Some see us as those fools from the 1700’s who let anything happen7
Even other black people live in the mind of self-racism8
They say, it doesn’t matter,9
They say it’s all over.10
But is it?11
Have you ever thought about what this world was before the civil rights movement?12
As not many stepped up as leaders rebelling for their human rights13
While the ancestors of the darker ones only watched in fear and oppression.14
Not many, except the sympathetic and other “minority” felt our exploitation15
But then there were people such as Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X16
Who showed the light not only to blacks, but also to different governments.17
The act of racism shed but only to drop down towards the descendents of today18
They say it doesn’t matter,19
They say, some ought to be ashamed,20
But isn’t it more to inequality than mere shame?21
But no one has ever thought about true equality.22
If King were alive today, he wouldn’t let this be23
To see that even his own people separate themselves24
In different ways, such as places, parties, celebrations;25
In their minds thinking they can only play ball, women, and drug schemes.26
So I dedicate, and educate, in a tribute to him27
To say that true equality is not being black28
It’s not about having your own celebrations,29
Trying to be better than white people,30
Having competitions,31
And fall victim of genocide.32
It’s about being a person,33
Not living based on the tone of complexions.34
Author notes
AP just screwed up on me when I edited this and they didn't make it for the contest anymore...
The Dream Lives On
http://allpoetry.com/Story/1006634 Concerning Segregation - Contest by queenemilia
http://allpoetry.com/Story/1006005 Spirits Live On by dairychic2009
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Comments
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you have spoken volumes here and you have done it so eloquently.sometimes we are our own worst enemies because we forget what king's dream was really about.our priorites are more geared towards proving we are materialistically better than others and not mentally just as good.you have your hands on the pulse of modern society among the members of a still oppressed people,who are mainly now depressing themselves.
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diamond's a she
she's no shemale
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Yeah he said to include in your author's comments the 2 pieces you had commented on along with the phrase The dream lives on, you've got a little time to do it, so get rockin
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Yeah, I followed rule number 6 and commented poems too. Did you want us to display the poems we commented in the author comments section?
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Ex cellent Write
This was certainly an interesting perception on racism. It is true that even some African American people are prejudiced towards each other. It's been ingrained in them since the days of slavery. Back in the days of slavery, there was the so called "House slave" who's skin was much fearer and then there was the "Yard slave" who's skin was darker and they toiled in the fields day and night and felt the burning of the master's switch on their flesh. Despite all of this, we have made progess although prejudice and segregation may still be alive and well in this country and other countries. But, we owe a great deal of thanks to Martin Luther King, Rose Parks and Malcom X for paving the way for us and not just for us but for people of all color and nationalities. Today there are more african american sitcoms than there was even five or ten years ago. Yes, we have made progress but we still have a long way to go before we complete the race for equality.
Avril
Edited on Jan 24, 9:10 p.m. because ''. -
Very good poem, very intuitive and thought provocing. Someone in my old high school decided to write an article in the school paper about how black people didn't deserve a whole month, when other cultures who were just as oppressed only got one day or a week. There was a walk-out and two days of school were cancelled due to the whole thing...an assembly was held and students were able to ask a panel of fellow students questions regarding the newest racial dilemas...it was an interesting assembly and nothing got solved really. Racism wasn't tackled that day as more people cared about the fact that our US flasg was taken off a pole and thrown to the ground in the excitement of the walk-out. Anyway, I agree with your poem, but I'm white what do I know right?
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