To think that some will not vote Black
Bewilders me to much extreme.
These attitudes have set us back,
To days when ballots were a dream.
Just when I thought people had changed,
The race card flipped itself upright.
My soul begs for a rearrange
To help me with these sleepless nights.
In past elections rationale,
I voted White, I had no choice,
But privileged people made a vow
To mute equality’s piqued voice.
Some criticize my Pro Black stance,
Was called a "racist", in hushed tones.
I must deny their tag per chance.
In me there are no racist bones.
But as I see this old trend rise,
My heart is heavy, O to bear.
I wipe stale tears from tired eyes,
And won’t pretend that I don’t care.
The Change that peers at corner’s bend
Is greater than we estimate.
More than we even comprehend,
‘Tis overwhelming as is fate.
I do not understand a race
Where ethnic mishap is so real.
Don't close your eyes, cover your face
Be honest about how you feel
I’d rather know you despise me
Because my skin is dark of flesh
It’s not the way that things should be
But at least sober truth would mesh
Too bad we don’t unite as one,
In revolution’s upturn sway
A milestone wave already spun,
That spins into a better day.
Consider faces void of hue,
Brushed mono-color with no rinse,
And all the "isms" flagrant blue
Where skin tone has no recompense.
Imagine such a world as this;
In present times of racist cult
Where hatred drowns in dark abyss,
And ethnic judgment an insult.
So, when due course has had its fling
In barren fields now parched to fray.
I wonder what these fears will bring
When life’s hate circle fades away.
Knock down huge wall of prejudice,
And reconstruct the halls of hope.
Racism never should exist,
It makes me think of dangling rope.
Refusal to go back in time,
Is pledge that’s made with honest aim.
I watch with spirit of sublime,
And sigh within at calloused shame.
For as is written in Good Book
First shall be last and last the first
Remove the blindfold, take a look
Half full the glass to quench dry thirst
For we are headed the wrong way
When “race” defines color of skin
Instead embrace all shades of gray
For in the end we are all kin
If superficial had no hold
And faltered when we breathed it deep
Enlightenment would then unfold
And steam of righteousness would steep
So, in conclusion, I attest
This final word to one and all
We must unite, deplore unrest
Raise up as ONE before the fall
Author notes
Photo Courtesy:
http://www.stellarverse.com/LeMimeEntry.html
In a list
- The Blacks A Literary Society group list • next in list
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 31 of 31
-
I wonder how I missed commenting before.
Curious, I remember reading this and a few thoughts swirled inside this gray slush I call a brain. Innocent thoughts stampled by years of reality like fresh snow on a busy road. To be honest I can't remember what I thought when I first read this (as you know I can be a little opinionated at times). Nonetheless, I agree and applaud you. Write on, sis. One.
Dez
-
Extremely well spoken.
We need change desperately and I have truly have my fingers crossed that it will happen! -
Dear Renee
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I did not come easily by this beautiful poem/discourse/!
First I read Barrack's speech, Langston's Blues, Paul's song, and Sojourner's Truth! And I have to go back and read Fannie.lol
Don't want to go into a speech so I'll just say that I've voted in every election since after Kennedy and I have never won a single time. So I've been thinking that what I've been looking for in a candidate has been all wrong.
So, out the door with education, experience in politics,
affiliations etc.
So from now on I'm going to vote for physical attributes...
Short, tall, eyeglasses/no eyeglasses, likes dark or light suits, likes Mexican, Italian, fast or home cooking, etc!
This year I'm going with tall!
Love you,
John-LVN
-
-
And I'm going with thin!
I love you my Friend!
Renee
-
-
Piercing..bold...and Magnificent!
What is fear........but confronting the hidden truths
that leak from our bleeding hearts.
oh, dear poetess, thankyou for the bold courage it took
to write this masterful written poem.
I feel strengthened and comforted all at once.
I heard a woman in the grocery store, and I almost threw
a can of green beans at her.
She said...to her friend...after seeing the newspaper
headline...figures..we women are even below a black man.
It was like someone hit me in the face with a shovel,
I could not believe the words that came out of her mouth!
I'm a proud supporter of Obama...liked him long before
he was running for president....i pray that in 2008
we judge according to the words and heart,
as it's color is the same as every breathing living
human present on this earth.
Blood red.
and if it was green, i'd still vote for him!
ears/Seattle
magnificent writing dearest poetess!
. Rewarded 8
-
In so much of history, in so many parts of the world race has been a determining factor in life... opportunity, status, power, wealth...all of the things a society might grant.
So yes there is a troublesome prospect for November in the US that once again an inferior candidate might be selected on the basis of irrelvant things...I can think of nothing more ridiculous as a predictor of ability than skin color.
There will be excuses and laughter, tears and angst a gamut of feelings...and the choice might be as apparent as Hyperion to a satyr, a plow horse to a thoroughbred. The myths of superiority whetehr male/race/age/religion/western culture...they die like B movie vampires...slow, messy, scene stealers...but in the end..with enough silver, stakes, holy water, bad puns, garlic...and sunshine... they die...
Thank you for your marvelous effort here, I join with you in hope for change...PK
. Rewarded 8
-
I applaud your message, and the poetic execution was flawless. Anyone who denies that race is still an issue in this country is either blind or has an agenda of their own. Color is no measure of a man (or a woman). Integrity, honor, values, and intelligence are much more important to me. I admire Obama very much, for it seems to me that he has all of these, and more. But I still am not going to vote for him, or any other democrat for that matter. If I am opposed to anyone on the basis of an "ism", I would have to define it as "partyism" I guess. As unpopular as that may be to many people, I am not ashamed to say that I am a lifelong republican who loves my country but not big government, my money but not higher taxes, and my guns and not those who would take them from me. If Obama wins, I will be as respectful and loyal to him as I would to any other president. Democracy implies having to accept candidates which you don't vote for, as well.
. Rewarded 8
-
Love, C
-
interesting, you seem to be taking race as the defining factor for who to vote for, shouldn't you also look at the candidate's points of view, not just their race?
thats almost racism in reverse, choosing to vote black because black is the minority
intersting poem thou, a good read -
-
Sorry for your misinterpretation of my poetry!
I am NOT voting for Barack Obama because he is Black. I am merely sending a resounding message that some have not looked past his skin-color, and are not voting for him because of it. That's a fact! I am voting for the Senator because I think he is, in my calculation, and research... the best candidate for the job at present. I am voting for him because I believe in his "Change" Movement.
Believe it or not there were, and are three "isms" that are "determining factors" in this presidential run for the White House. They are gender, race, and age. I am a woman. I am Black. I am nearing 55 in age. I personally feel the brunt of every ism that has reared its ugly head during these primary elections in 2008.
I love the fact that there will be those that keep me on my toes by determining, without prior knowledge of me, who I am, and why I cast my vote.
I must also add that I do not believe there is such a thing as "reversed racism". More often than not, racism usually supports the idea that one's own race is superior, and has the right to rule over and/or oppress others. I have always been a soldier for equality, no matter the ancestry of a person.
Poetry is subjective. Therefore, you have read into my words (as I said earlier on in a comment) from where you are seated. I respect that, and thank you for your honest critique.
Much Love ♥
Renee
-
-
FANTASTIC.....mot 100% for your political views or the fear of not voting due to color, but the poem is wonderful written.
I love the lines...
First shall be last and last the first
Remove the blindfold, take a look
Half full the glass to quench dry thirst
it moves me for reasons I can't say. Great write
. Rewarded 6
-
i don't vote at all since i have no comprehension of what the issues really are. i do know that if i did, i would probably not vote for a female unless it was medically proven that she had finished all phases of menopause. lol. you did a great job in writing this. thank you for sharing with me tonight. viyanna rosemarie
. Rewarded 6
-
-
Hello Beautiful! I have missed you!
Belive it or not, I wrote a satrical poem about Hillary and "men-on-pause" LOL
If you get a chance to take a look, I think it just might tickle your fancy.
http://allpoetry.com/poem/3965019
Thanks for stopping by! Good to see you around these parts again. I hope all is well with you and yours.
Always ♥
Renee
-
-
Honest work
This is a very honest piece. I love the political and historical voice this poem brings to the vast table of poetry. It was well written with knowlegable insight and extensive vocab. Well done! -
Ironically..
This was on my mind this morning..(I strated a collabrative effort today) and though I didn't get very specific about politics, or anything thing I certainly push open the door of possiblities for my co-collaborators to go into it if they chose. This is not only fantastic as a piece but as a positive message for all people. great job my friend!
-
Wonderful writing honest and true
I love the pure reality of this piece. It was wonderful to see the comments from white people who understood this piece as well. We do need to as you put it "unite, deplore unrest Raise up as ONE before the fall"
. Rewarded 4
-
I have heard all 3 ways. I won't vote for Mccain he's too old. No Hillary she belongs in the kitchen not the whitehouse. No Obama cause he's black. It makes me sick! Maybe if more people cared as much about this country instead of skin color we might get somewhere. I love this poem and applaud you for having the guts to post it here. By the way I am a white girl who's gonna vote Obama!
. Rewarded 8
-
-
You go Gurl!
It ain't a Black Thing, it's a "WE THE PEOPLE" thing!
Much Love ♥
Renee
-
-
Amen.
I definitely love the last line.
It's so true.
and
"Don't close your eyes, cover your face
Be honest about how you feel"
-- this is so true about many things.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Keep on writing!
♥
~Princess of Shadows~ -
Hurtfully True
I try not to determine good and bad by black and white. This holds true in all aspects of life. Gray areas flow through our life choices and color isn't always a point of choosing. I agree with you 100%.
. Rewarded 4
-
Amen. As long as there are people who will not vote for someone because of the colour of their skin and not because of the stand they take on issues, there is a problem. As long as people vote for someone based on their gender and not because of the stand they take on issues, we have a problem. As long as people will not vote for someone because of their age (either to young or too old) and not because of the stand they take on issues, we have a problem. I am not American,but I have been watching the primaries and the whole election process and been rooting (albeit silently) for the person I would like to see win. My only hope is that the person elected is the best person for the job, both for the US and because the US is a power on the world stage, I hope that the person voted in as President is the best one for the world scene as well. Your concerns voiced in this poem are valid and we (not just Americans) need to be on guard against that kind of thinking. It will be a beautiful day when any one of us is judged by our character and not our gender, sex, skin colour, or the colour of our eyes.
. Rewarded 8
-
-
I love your comment, and Thank You for the resounding message it sends to those who will be fortunate enough to breathe in your well written words. This election, in my finite estimation is bigger than the US, it's global. I do hope that this fresh, new way of thinking is what the world needs to bring about peace and unification. God Bless you and the attention you've kept in our elections. We need lots of hope and tons of prayer.
Much Love,
Renee
-
-
Superb
A most excellent write, indeed. I agree with the thoughts you so ably expressed. Rev Martin Luthor King, Jr., has always been one of my heros. I can remember the day I saw him on TV, delivering his famous "I Have a Dream", speech. I am a caucasion. It's about time all Americans realized that everybody's blood is red, or some tone, thereof. We are all equal with no exceptions. Imagery, rhythm and rhyme are just fine.
. Rewarded 8
-
As a poem I applaud this but as a message it is coming across mixed to me. I feel as if you ARE asking people to vote on the basis of colour not merit which would be as wrong as voting on the basis of sex instead of merit.
Naturally I assume it is based on the two main candidates in the recent primaries in the USA and therefore as a pink, British, male reader I can only judge the respective merits on news reports which also emphasise the colour/gender issue rather than who would be best for the job.
I long for the day that voters and candidates everywhere are not labelled by anything other than their party affiliation and stated beliefs.
Jim
-
-
The message of this poem stems from some peoples in our Primary Elections who stated they would not place a vote for Barack Obama because he was a Black man. No other reason. They did not look beyond the hue of his skin. In that I was irritated. This poem has been brewing in me for weeks.
I knew a mixed message would be received by some. But that would not have been the case if I were a White person. I am almost positive that this poem would have been read differently had I been a Caucasian writing it.
The poem also mentions; "isms". I am a woman, getting up in age, and Black. All these "isms" are played out in this presidential campaign. I detest that! They affect me threefold.
Because poetry is subjective, I suspect most will read into these words from where they are seated. I accept and embrace that, and am always open to honest commenting;
"I’d rather know you despise me
Because my skin is dark of flesh"
When readers express their honest feelings it gives way to dialog. To me, that is the beginning of the dismantling of stereotypes, prejudices, and racism. I have, in my adult life, and as a teen been staunchly against racial, gender, and age stereotyping. That is the true purpose of this writ.
I have voted since I was eighteen, always for a candidate that had white skin. Not once in those instances did I decide that my preferred candidate would not get my vote because he was Caucasian. As a matter of fact, when I think on it, as I express in line 10 of the first stanza;
"I voted White, I had no choice,"
I agree that one should vote according to their Party commitment or the best person, no matter the Party but as a member of one nation. I was torn between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for weeks until the race card was played, and it was not played by Obama. His campaign is the "new movement". He has my vote because as a man, as a candidate, as a human being... he has shown himself to be of sound character. He moves me! Besides he is neither Black nor White. In his blood flows the blood of many ethnicities, as in my own DNA.
Thank you for your honesty Jim. It is most welcome on my poetic pages. In turn you get the most honest response I can muster at this time.
Much Love Always ♥
Renee
-
-
It's sad to know that people will make deliberate wrong choice just because the right one wears a dark skin.
That shows how far ignorance goes.
I won't pretend to share the feelings you and many of my friends have, for I'm not an American citizen and neither live in USA. Only you guys can really feel it. But I do know how racism talks, and it is always in mournful tone.
This is an excellent poem my dear Renee, and I wish you and the people of USA a great and righteous victory.
Much love to you always,
Mari
-
-
My mother used to tell us to ignore "ignorance". The older I become, the more attention I think the ignorant need. They need to let go of fear. It harnesses us about the throat and cause irrational behavior. I have suffered on many ends because I am a woman and because my skin is tropical tan LOL I have learned to look past the flagrancy of racism, and have come to realize to a greater extent;
" for we wrestle not against flesh and blood". It is more the spirit of evil that lurks about seeking to devour us, not as an ethnic group of races bust as an entire race of people.
I Love You Sis',
Always, Renee
-
-
I agree with leo2
and you have penned a poem that will be shared for years to come as the racists die and the youth carry a new torch for 'true freedom'. I also think that divisions come with sexism and that attitude needs to be abolished as well! A woman running for president was also brought up way too much! Let us pray! joy
-
Bravo, Renee!! Your message should be shouted from the rooftops. The truth is, in my opinion, if the color of a man's skin is more important than the content of his character then not only do your eyes deceive you but your heart as well. This is one superb poetic essay.
Sincerely,
Leo Long
-
Chin Up sis!!
How far will a man go
when faced with the decision:
to vote for what is best for him
or hold fast to bad convictions
and when that choice is ominous
in painful ramification,
will he choose to serve his fellow man
or will common sense then take vacation.
But if November finds that most would choose
according to their race
regardless of continued strife
McCain has promised will take place.
And the continuation of failed plans
turns out is not enough
for folks to see if you do the same thing
you yield the same results.
If better futures for their children
isn't enough to vote for change.
Remember,
There was another who was ignored
and Jesus was HIS name.
There was a balm in Gilead
to save the sin sick soul.
But still so many choose
their own destiny to control.
So my friend, don't feel bad
or take personal what you see.
These decisions they make
based on one's race
are just old fashioned stupidity -
Renee,
I can feel the burden of your words. I have gotten a few choice words from people I know for voting the way I plan to, but its my vote and I will do what I think is right. You just have to dig your heels in.
The CNN Poll of Polls shows Obama ahead by 5 % last time I checked earlier today. I think it's possible.
History is in the making...
Criss
Adding your comment:
1 - 31 of 31
