I'm not black but there are a whole lot of times I wish I could say I'm not white
Frank Zappa
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Raise the flag for freedom
Cheer Jessie Owens for showing
Hitler, the Aryans aren’t
the supermen he claimed.
But when Jessie came home,
the lunch counters are white only.
Raise the flag for freedom
let Mother Liberty call the poor
and huddled masses to our shore,
but only cause we want them to scrub our floors.
Freedom of speech isn't free when it only
tells us what we want to hear and see.
Take pride in our nation one and all.
Remember arrogance and pridefulness
cover up fear and goes before the fall.
Denial of damage done hurts everyone.
Little people find reasons to destroy everything
they find different and jail those who disagree.
Raise your fists, sit down at the counters,
stand in protest of rights wronged in this land.
Bite the hand that pretends to feed you
when the cost is to be kept in chains.
We know that no one is free
if anyone remains enslaved.
Raise the flag for freedom.
Do it in the face of fear and hate.
Raise the flag for freedom
So everyone knows:
Together,
we are all sisters and brothers,
we will do what ever it takes.
6:50 PM
07/15/08
Alexandria, VA
Author notes
I don't think I have to say anything really. I stood in my fair share of silent protests, got spit on and called unrepeatable names. I have never shyed away from doing what I think is right.
I am a Quaker and a pacifist, but anyone with sense knows that is an active daily life action.
A contest entry
- Picture Prompt-Standing Up for Friends-Black Salute by Cannonsfire.
1750 points, ended July 19, 10 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think, what it makes you feel, how you are moved.
Comments
1 - 44 of 44
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I've seen it, lived in it, felt it. When we lived in Southeast Texas, we weren't allowed to have black friends. Anyone considered ethnic was taboo as far as our parents were concerned. I never heard my mother actively say those words, but the feelings were there underneath. God bless us all, we'll never get it right. Will we?
Peace,
Jin
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We should never stop trying. The more we learn to value each other, treat each other with grace and honor, the more we do the more we create a world we want to live in and celebrate. It not only applies to race and color, but to partners and relationships as well.
Love, Tom B.
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Superb
An excellent write in these perilous times. It reminded me of a reference that I had looked up some time ago about the "Sons of Liberty". Here's a computer link for it, for you and others who may be interested. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sons_of_Liberty
One other reference to an old poem: "Liberty Tree":
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Liberty_Tree
. Rewarded 6
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Most, it seems, mistake privilege for freedom. Too many practice the ego centric version of freedom, "I can do what I want, but you can on do what I let you do." or "Freedom is great, as long as only the right people practice it."
Read history, listen to presidential campaigns and you can see this is an on again off again behavior. I know how fortunate we are to to be free. How important it is to teach, freedoms not practiced responsibly are soon taken, freedoms not used are soon stolen and so on. Those for whom the freedoms we have are only convienent when the world agrees with them do not appreciate, ACLU, Quakers, and other groups that constantly defend peoples right to be just who they are.
Thanks for the read.
Peace & Light,
Tom B. -
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I quite agree with you. I'm a supporter of S.P.L.C., and have, in past years been a member of the ACLU. Both organizations are valuable in protecting our Constutional Rights. You are quite welcome.
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Bravo! Both for standing up for others and for having integrity in your beliefs. I loved this, because as a Primary School Teacher, I dedicate much of my time to getting my class to value each other and work as a team. I find that when they can value a whole class of people, it's not such a big jump to value a whole world. I especially liked the lines:
'Little people find reasons to destroy everything'
I hate it when people get petty instead of trying to help. I also liked:
'We know that no one is free
if anyone remains enslaved'
For me this is the crowning glory of this poem. How true that once someone has power it means someone has not. Thank you for sharing this special poem.
. Rewarded 8
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The changing faces of apathy
the choices of all differences ever ...
A nation so scarred that it can never be healed
until at last all peace prevails ...
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Being apathetic: I was briefly in the midst of a major depression while in college.
I am one of those caring people. I guess it is a genetic defect. I, even in my deepest dispair, will stop, put myself second, and help someone in need. Often, I have found, it lifts me out of my egocentric self pity and I return to the living. After years of living with a high anxiety disorder, I now function without the need to please people or a sense of fatalism, but still find I am a caring and concerned human being who will not stand for hatful behavior. More now, then before.
Peace: you choose to live it or you dream of the possiblity otherwise you exisit only for the next conflict.
Love, Tom B.
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I like the sentimentality you're spewing...I think it makes some good points, but I don't quite think you've got it yet.
It isn't about aryan or white. (I know you tried to explain this.)
It is about the sameness...
yet it exploits all of the differences...
You get caught up in the difference arguing against against the ignorance.
You become PC, instead of really getting it.
I really like Frank Zappa..and Tao (the way) but they're so contradictive and yet related. -
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I have been all over the map with this. I know what you are talking about. Freedom and dignity are not sentimentality. They make a vital difference in your life everyday. I believe we share from our similarities and celebrate, where we can, differences.
We are all different and I have been one of those who got bullied, praised, dumped on, looked up to, etc. for being different. I never fit in any group so moved through groups. Belonging is over rated. Learning to live with yourself and value your alone time is a benefit.
I am no saint nor sage and there is so much I don't got. But then again their are very few I will think do. I try to be honorable. I try to keep my word. Hardest job there is, at times. I look for the Light, the being, God, in each person. Speak to it. Draw it out. Sometimes I succeed. So it is all about living and relating with being to pompus, arrogant or judgemental. I often fail.
Peace & Light,
Tom B.
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I find if you cling on to those things they control you. I am definitely arrogant and judgemental when it comes to poetry. It's a selfish thing. I'm always surprised and pleased when I come upon a piece that's perfect. Everyone has different criteria though. So I'm certain I give people a hard time undeservedly. Honestly though, I want people to do the same with my writing.
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Very well written. Love the structure. Great, great write. I really enjoyed this piece. It's good that there are still people like you, willing to stand up for what they believe in. Thanks for sharing. Great write. Well done.
Tal.
. Rewarded 4
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There are always people fighting for what is right. It is not always popular and I am a very small voice in the effort. Thanks for the support and may you find the strength in yourself to always stand up for what is right when others yell sit down.
Peace & Light,
Tom B.
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Interesting read
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Thanks. Glad it touched you enough for you to leave a comment.
Peace & Light,
Tom B.
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If you choose to live a life of love
You never get to hate...
You must love people where they are
Where else can they be?
We have inherited the wounds of tragic and regretable pasts; yet we have, here in this country, made amazing strides. Much to be done, yes. But, by comparison to classic ethnic blood fueds amoung people strangers could not tell apart, We have accomplished a very large measure of true equality.
Men like Thomas Jefferson, who said of slavery,
"We have a wolf by the ears. We cannot hold on, and we cannot let go!" penned powerful words of equality and human rights that in time, grew like seeds. Change is only limited by the heart of the society. -
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Like what you say. We are still making baby steps I think. We are still too often ruled by fear and the need to put ourselves up by putting others down. It is an everyday effort to keep ourselves in touch with all that is good and function in a way that promotes its growth. Thanks for the comment.
Peace & Light,
Tom B.
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An excellent presentation. The freedoms our forebearers fought and died for are gradually eroding and racism is an ongoing dilema. The why's of one man believing himself superior to another has always been a fantasy yet it persists. Perhaps like religion it's a fundamental part of mankind. Who can say? Happy trails neighbor.
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Thanks. I think.
We all, those of us who have burned the hatred out of ourselves, need to stand strong. From "no dogs or sailors allowed" (sign in Norfold businesses after WWII) to anti-gay bile, to anti Muslim all the reasonable hatred needs to be shown for the horrible thing that is, the destruction of human beings. It is, I think, never ending. At least, I live my life feeling I can never stop standing up to in all the subtle ways it exisits. Thanks for the comments.
Peace & Light,
Tom B.
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Well, the rythm's terrible and it doesn't rhyme well and none of that matters in the slightest. You have penned a very good portrait about what slavery has become now in America: a true institution created by the rich and dominated by the rich. The poor, of course, have no way in except to "play the game" which kills creativity and leads to a dying country. We will either survive ourselves or kill ourselves it seems. Good job!
. Rewarded 8
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I thought about all those things. Tried to keep from being a total polemic or worse a rant, might have succeeded slightly. I was born in 1950 and watched things start to shift, some small, some large. Listened to people, realized how much racism and jingoism were part of American culture. Since then, well, there have been changes but it still is ugly when you scratch deep enough and it don't take a big scatch to find the hatred. Don't know if it is human nature or part of our culture, but in any case I am against it in every case. Thanks for the comments.
Peace & Light,
Tom B.
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Fantastic. I love the subtle, changing pattern of rhym throughout your poem.
You've also conveyed a lot of passion. This is an inspirational piece, telling us to stand up for what is right. And we should, cos we're all coneccted, and if one suffers we do too- though we may not realise.
Anyway, I'm ranting...
Well, fantastic write. Loved it
~cheers
. Rewarded 6
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This was written with a touch of a martial air to stir the soul and get you to rant. So in seeing that I feel I have had a modicum of success. Thanks. I appreciate you taking the time to share.
Love, Tom B.
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Excellent Write
You are a REAL MAN, one that stands up for what is right..I enjoy this read and; showed it to my four sons...you are a supreme example of a true American.
Thank you Tom for sharing your views. God Bless you always my friend..................
novy
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I am not a flag waver or someone who admires those who wrap themselves in the flag. I look at someone and watch their behavior. How quick are they to separate themselves from the crowd and do what needs be done. I know of no one who can do it every time. But I have been fortunate to have as friends and mentors those who do it more often then not. It is done not to be a hero, most trying to be heroic are foolish. It is not done to be contrary, those who conform to nonconformity prevent too many good things from being done just to keep attention on themselves. No, I have been fortunate to know people who have clear and mighty standards that they strove to attain everyday. If I can do half as much as they did, I will be a very good man.
Thanks for holding me so high. I hope that I might always live up to the standard you hold me up to. Thanks, again.
Love, Tom B.
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Bravo!
Take a bow my friend, your words rings so true this country was founded on freedom!!!
Its okay to be a pacifist you still have a voice to speak peace for all colors brothers and sisters!
We know that no one is free
if anyone remains enslaved.
Raise the flag for freedom.
Do it in the face of fear and hate.
Raise the flag for freedom
So everyone knows:
Together,
we are all sisters and brothers,
we will do what ever it takes.
This was outstanding!
I am proud to call this writer my friend,
~Lisa~
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It is not what we want that counts, it is what we are willing to work for. It shows in how we build teams. It shows in how we stand up for the rights of those who are unpopular. What makes this country great is when it rises above fear and pettiness and achieves something that uplifts not just America, but the world.
Love, Tom B.
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You have stood up for freedom here Tom; well written and strong sentiments expressed in these lines. Liked that line we know that no one is free if anyone remains enslaved. Who knows if we will ever be free...
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We may never truly be. There are too many who feel that having power over another somehow makes them important. We can never cease being vigilant. We must always be aware that we don't get the world we want. We get the one we are willing to work for.
Love, Tom B.
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Words well spoken my friend. Your poem is a powerful statement to the word freedom and I admire your talent. THANKS TOM!
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No problem Pat. This is a major part of my life. I may be ornery and self-righteous and stubborn but I am one hundred percent behind each persons right to responsible freedom.
Love, Tom B.
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C
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It is your fault I am not playing to my strengths. This took me three days and pages of writing just to finally get to this. I can write firey essays on this stuff and evangelical style speeches like you have never heard, but poetry is a lot harder. Poetry is a lot more than a rant and rave. It is all your fault
Love, Tom B. -
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lolol My fault!? You said more in this than my soapbox has in awhile lol
C
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Yes! Your fault. You have gotten me to write outside my box more than anyone else. Taken me out of my comfort zone. You will definitly make Lane jealous because she has tried and gone nowhere. Others have tried to but I always found what they wanted distasteful and I won't go there or against my beliefs. There are those who have a hard time with that. This one struck home hard and I had to write it. I think my note explains why.
Love, Tom B. -
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Oh it was always there inside you to write outside the box, I am just stretching your muse's legs to go take a walk with me and see what I see
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No one could ever have dreamed in a million years it would take so long for a race to become free! Our ignorance still is prevalent today, regarding so many others as well. Lets not forget what America stands for...freedom for one and all! ~Sie
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Democracy is always one step away from Facism (sp?) It is practice and make good use of our freedoms or lose them. It is always speak up and speak out about everyones rights particularly the ones of people we don't like so fair play and equality prevail.
Love, Tom B.
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You are 100% right, as actions do speak louder than words... Words and theories are meaningless if people don't become active examples of their beliefs in a non-violent, life affirming manner... Well said, Master Tom!!!
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Fear of Japanese led to concentration camps, fear of communism led to McCarthy and black lists, fear led to Bush misusing presidential perogative and abrogating peoples rights. Play the fear card loud enough and enough people will shout down anyone talking sense, just ask Jesse Helms when he was alive.
Love, Tom B.
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Well to begin with the message you are clearly saying is dead on the mark. Consider this reply quote: "Those who keep silent, are the ones who speaks the most" -me
Another thing I'm going to point out is that either you meant to say 'pridefulness' or 'fullness' (don't know) but neverthess you took hold of your soapbox and performed flawlessly
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The truth is freedom scares alot of people. When I ran the college paper, I had a totally open letter page. You signed it. I printed it. It went from a 1/4 of a page to two pages and was the first thing read by most of the campus. Both the far right and far left approached me about the danger of doing this. They both said someone might say something that could confuse someone else or give them the wrong idea. What they meant was freedom isn't free in the hands of those who want to rule/protect us.
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