<div style="background:#fff;border:#bbb dashed 1px;padding:5px"><a href="http://en.citatepedia.ro/comments.php?id=445800" style="color:#000;text-decoration:none"><div style="margin:10px 0"><strong>When I Lead I Do Not Follow</strong></div><div style="margin:10px 0">I am not one to seek, <br>That good negro on the plantation appeal.<br>I am a field hand and proud of it.<br>Although I can whip up some biscuits, <br>And clean and take care of a house.<br>You may even see me fixing a shingle.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">But...<br>I will also sneak off to read a book.<br>And appear at banquets, <br>Regardless of how I look.<br>And dare to socialize and entertain.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">I'm not defined by my emotional hangups! <br>Or will allow engrossing conversations about it! <br>To then remain upset, <br>Because I may be patronized.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">'How does it feel to be a Black man, <br>In today's intolerant society.'</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Excuse me? <br>I hope you are not representing, <br>An abundance of ignorance here.<br>If so, <br>Let me know! <br>I'd rather go out and plow.<br>Or feed some surprised cow in the field.<br>I will not be sharing ancestral stories.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">I can choose to impress if I wish...<br>IF I took that time.<br>And I can be quite 'lofty'<br>When I use my mind to dropp jaws and lips.<br>If I so incline! </div><div style="margin:10px 0">But what would be accomplished...<br>And my purpose for it? <br>I know who I already 'R'! <br>And I can 'beez' all that...<br>If I wanted.<br>But my needs are simplistically met.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">However...<br>Trying to find acceptance, <br>To excuse my heritage that I embrace...<br>Will not leave me to monitor my outer appearance.<br>Just to be another fool, <br>With no identity or dignity... <br>To acknowledge being disgraced.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Some just choose to be seen and beam.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">And when I lead...<br>I do not follow! <br>Just in case you might think I'd be annoyed, <br>By you calling me 'boy'.<br>Or make reference to my coloredness.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Those 'others' might trip! <br>But me...<br>I've already been through it.<br>And my preferences are not exceeded, <br>By my expectations.<br>Or judgements 'I' may pass.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br /></a><br />poem by <a href="http://en.citatepedia.ro/by.php?a=Lawrence+S.+Pertillar">Lawrence S. Pertillar</a><div class=q> <img src="https://www.citatepedia.ro/g/32share.png" style="float:left" alt="Share"> <script type="text/javascript" src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=citatepedia" async="async"></script><div style="display:inline-block" class="addthis_sharing_toolbox" data-url="http://en.citatepedia.ro/comments.php?id=445800" data-title="When I Lead I Do Not Follow de Lawrence S. Pertillar" data-description="I am not one to seek, That good negro on the plantation appeal. I am a field hand and proud of it. Although I can whip up some biscuits, And clean and take care of a house. You may even see me fixing a shingle. But... I will also sneak off to r..."></div> </div> </div>

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