What is White
©copyright 2009 Bonita M Quesinberry
What is this thing called 'white'?
A label that some put on a person,
some call a color right?
Why, truth is, it is no color at all!
As a child, I saw you
hurt when hosed down with animosity.
And, I was crying, too;
because, to me, I just saw your beauty.
As a teen, I heard songs
only you could give rhythm and meaning;
but, they called your sound wrong.
I was crying with you, even then, too.
As adults, we heard shots,
then wept with you again for Martin King,
and thought, white man shall rot
in the hell he has created for you.
I've never understood
inequality over a color
mixed of shades found in wood:
as we all are many.
I know I am not white,
for I've several nationalities
of many colors bright.
Yet, many dare to call me white and right.
Last year, I heard you speak
and thought, you would be the right President.
Then you ran, never weak;
and I thought, you will be the President.
Now ev'rything is right,
yet still there be white made of confusion
instead of seeing Light.
I can't understand, for all are one blood.
* * *
You fools! Did you not know Jesus was black?
Author notes
Please, do not expect miracles from Obama; for it will take every last American to effect true change. He is a humble man possessed of great integrity and placed in office by God for God's purposes in His greater plan. 
In a list
A contest entry
- In Honor Of Martin Luther King by Shantti.
575 points, ended January 20, 12 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
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Excellent
Very powerful in the political and spiritual sense. I could see for real how one can be divinely inspired...good work, friend.
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(white)
http://allpoetry.com/poem/4287883
White light contains all color. white pigment contains no color. I like you efforts to build harmony with this piece. I am curious as to your justification of the last line, When Jesus said, "Call no man a fool..." And the historical consensus, and scriptural report is that Jesus was Jewish, hence semitic, quite a disstinction from black. -
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It would seem that you did not quite grasp the intent of this poem
As for the last line, I write as the Spirit directs me, thus God can call any man a fool, as His word reflects. As for the indication Jesus was black, there is a full description of Him in several books of the Old Testament, one being He was "as black as Solomon's curtains and Kedar's tents;" which no denomination ever has taught, for if they had, then the likes of KKK and Hitler would never have existed for fear of God's wrath. Nevertheless, thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Luv in Christ, BonnieQ
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WoW
And you keep saying your not a poet! I love this and the truth that it conveys. Congratulations on a Gold winner. I too have never understood the reason for people to be viewed differently for their color. And I know thats not what God wanted for us as a people. Well done Poet!
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Oh, wow, Suezzie! I am so grateful you found this poem worthy of GOLD; but, more importantly, it is so nice to meet another who is as color blind as I am color blind. By God's grace, I've never understood the mentality of prejudice of any kind; whether it be based on color or disabilities or. . . well, whatever!
Again, thank you so much!
Much love in Christ, BonnieQ
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This is my most favoritist of favorites. This poem reminded me of me as a kid in kindergarten, two friends black and Mexican (I'm white) learning what bigotry was through the schools. While the three of us being different culters never viewed eachother as "different" the system "taught" us that we were "different" by trying to teach us that we weren't "different" and stressing that we were!
I know I am not white,
for I've several nationalities
of many colors bright.
Yet, many dare to call me white and right.
I love your choice of wording throughout, excellent expression.
"You fools! Did you not know Jesus was black?"
Thank you for your entry.
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Bigotry over color and race is the work of the enemy. All that said, I cannot delight in Obama's rise to power. I believe there is a great mesmerizing spirit over the country blinding even the elect to the peril we face with Obama as president.
I know I am in the minority, but I cannot rejoice over this man's election. I can pray for him to seek God and to remain righteous and I do pray fervently. But the nation is worshiping a man as if he were God and can perform miracles. Our only hope is in the Lord - the maker of heaven and earth.
My feelings have nothing to do with the color of a man's skin. The Lord looks much deeper than that.
I wait and I pray and I seek the Lord for His Word and His Hand.
- joanne -
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I understand what you are saying, favored Sis. So, I remind you of God's Words, "I set up kings and I take down kings." Obama is in office because he will fulfill God's plans, not ours. These are the end days and Christ is even at the door. Soon, very soon, He shall come through that door. Whatever God wants Obama to achieve will be to bring Christ through the door. On the other hand, you are doing also what God instructed, that we pray for those leading the various nations, that they fulfill God's will while holding the title.
I LOVE YOU! SisBon 
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Great truth Skin color dosen't matter . We need to look at the person and see them not there color
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Indeed, precious Rose, color means nothing. The first time I heard Obama speak, with his wife, was on the Oprah show. At the time, I didn't know he would run for President but thought he was the one. Then, at voting time, somehow I knew without a doubt he would be elected: God always shows His power when it's time and, as He said, "I set up kings and I take down kings." It was time that an African American be in office and I felt Obama was an incredibly good choice: a devoted family man of values.
Luv & hugs, SisBon
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I feel the same way dear sister, nice tribute to Martin Luther KIng, I never seen color either, all the same blood that Jesus shed, and we are all in His image of course. Even our president shows 2 sides, and that is why I even admire Abraham Lincoln. Blessings.
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Thank you, sweet Denise! Actually, the poem is a tribute to both King and Obama. God is good and just and, as He said, "I set up kings and I take down kings." So many were kings before ever being forced into slavery.
Much love & hugs, SisBon
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