America ToDAY

first spoken word poem (feedback greatly appreciated)

 

America today frightens me

There are people who are sick

Mentally physically and Emotionally

So much hate and poverty

For the people who look just like me

 

Not realizing the enslavement of our minds

Inching more and more towards a steady decline

Whose to blame

When self hatred calls my name?

 

Searching for education

When I found that education

I felt a sense of elation

Because I learned of who I am

 

I learned About Africa

Akebu-Lan

I learned my ancestors were Kings and Queens

I learned of a place where my people were free

I hold this information close to me

 

Even my hair

As curly as it may be

I learned was a gift from God you see

 

Despite European invasion

Into the ancient text of my past

To destroy and make fallacies last

 

I refuse to feel imprisoned

Holding my head up high

I got my swag and my stride

B/c I’ve realized my culture

Is still alive!

 

I learned of a bible

That didn’t omit a black face

Prize possession was a black face

And the most ancient of people

Came from Eden and African place

 

Learning to avoid calling slaves by biblical names

The portuguese thought of a name

That made all blacks the same

Though the name had nothing to do with my race

But the color of my face

Thank goodness for Arab travelers from our past

Preserving our history so our legacy would last

 

I keep asking myself

How some people can hate

Discriminate and castigate

Colors and faces

That God himself made?  

 

I can only put words to paper

And rhythm to sound

Hoping the rhythm feels your ears

And finally drowns

The hate.

 

Cause America today frightens me

There are people sick

Mentally, physically and emotionally

Waiting centuries and centuries to see

A time when I can be me

Reviews

[bluessadmood]

Even my hair
As curly as it may be
I learned was a gift from God you see
I keep asking myself
How some people can hate
Discriminate and castigate
Colors and faces
That God himself made? ...
I just loved those words,its all a gift from God,we are his creatures,but still the hate ,you will never shake it and you dont have to ,some people are just like that ,they will never change,they can never love ,i really pity them,non human,how ugly...
i just loved this poem,you do not know how much thoughts it gave me ,i was enthralled by the way you wrote this,its just wonderful...

[T]

"Not realizing the enslavement of our minds"

[The Purple Kazoo]

i can really identify with this poem. i'm not black...i'm lesbian...but i'm still not mainstream society. this poem is really expressive, so even 'normal' people will know exactly what you're talking about. kudos.

[Scott Free]

Really good writing...the way you tie history, the Bible, and modern meaning into your works is really good and it shows real talent. Amazing work.

[Cornbred]

WOW,that is so much feeling,real deep

[Wildecat]

Excellent poem, and your are right we are all God's chidren, and it is a shame we can't all learn to live in peace and harmony regardless of the color of our skin.

[Onyx Sky]

I've noticed many people it seems have rated this poem, but haven't took the time out to comment on why they gave the rating they gave. I really do like to hear different perspectives, and I hope this poem isn' taken as an attack on anyone or seen as a bashing.

All I tried to do was demonstrate what I have learned about my culture and how I felt about what I have learned, and try to make other people want to go out and do the same about their culture... peace out

[Winter McPherson]

Nice work with putting your knowledge and research into poetry. Not an easy task. The tone of the poem reflects what many Americans are feeling right now. There's a sense of desperation in the air. However, seeing that for the first time we have a non-white so close to the White House, as well as a woman in the possible VP position, its quite a momentous time to be alive. It's history in the making no matter who gets into office and we are the priviledged generation to see it all taking place. Perhaps we shouldn't feel so hopeless after all.