Affirmative Action
I am not upset,
Because they seem to apply quotas...
To my existence.
But the monthly statistics,
And the cameramen in the backyard...
Filming my every move,
Can be overwhelming.
It's not that I am against affirmative action.
It is the way it is done,
That has me believing I 'am' different than everyone.
And watched too closely!
On a daily basis.
And used to remind them of their superiority.
They claim they don't know enough about me.
I guess they are referring to my skin color.
And how that affords me all of the attention I get!
As if that has anything to do with me being so loved?
Envy has a way of producing conflict.
One thing is for sure...
I am not rolling my eyes at the people on beach,
Who already have my skin color.
Nor am I trying to get darker...
To look good or more healthy!
They've been trying to re-create that,
In their laboratories.
Sick are those demented,
Who weave these insecurities...
Sick are those who expose their wickedness,
And sit back to enjoy those of color bleed!
And sick becomes a greatness believed...
That sinks in obscurity!
Left crazed to defend...
An offensiveness felt,
That angers one of a different colored skin!
Or lack thereof.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
What Color? (Hope)
what color
was the dust
from which the stars
were made?
what color is the hunger
written on the child's face?
what color is justice,
forgiveness, desire, truth?
what color is the wind....
the rain, gravity,
and knowledge?
what color is equality?
what color is freedom?
what color is eternity?
what color is redemption?
what color is God?
what color were the nails
that hung Jesus on the cross?
what color was enlightenment
falling on the Buddha as he sat
'neath that tree?
what color is prejudice, hatred,
fear, greed, apathy.....
what color your skin?
nay, what color is your blood?
and what color are the eyes
of humanity staring through the darkness?
and what color is hope?
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Appearances
What's in the color of your skin?
Just the body that you're in.
A body that has all the same organs
of everybody that's ever been.
Isn't it amazing how we've been taught
to believe that we're different.
Sure we're different in our appearances
right down to our thumbprint.
But again that thumbprint is just skin,
not the character and not the hope.
And there's the beauty in the differences
like the colors of a kaleidoscope.
We are all striving for fairness and joy
whether we were born a girl or a boy.
The ignorance that surrounds all the bigots
is a lack of intelligence they employ
in viewing color,
in demeaning color,
in blaming color,
in labeling color,
in dehumanizing color.
For all of their own inadequacies and guilt
in not allowing themselves to see the sameness
in how we all are built.
poem by Edwina Reizer
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Colors
There was a black man
There was a blue man
They hated each other
For the color of the skin
They both believed the other
To be the offspring of some great sin...
One dark day
They got into a helluva fight
Each believing to be in the right
They beat upon each other
Through and through
They beat each other black and blue,
Until finally
They both did come to see
How much alike
They'd come to be.
Now there is a black man
There is a blue man
Together they stand
Once divided by the color of the skin
Never more shall they
Be blinded that way again...
Black or white
Yellow or red
The color of the skin
Is truly all inside the head,
And the colors in the head
Come out in the words
That are said,
And the words
That are said
Can leave the heart so alive,
Or, utterly dead.
It's a choice to make:
Either for the image of the soul
Or, for the color of the skins sake;
The darkness of night
Or, the beauty from
The colors of the
Light.
poem by Smoky Hoss
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This Is The Sadness
Mystified are many,
Looking from the outside in.
As to why people who 'appear' to be
Of the same race...
Would have issues of skin color.
And have those insecurities they hold...
From the beginning of noticing it,
Until their life experiences end.
This doesn't make sense,
Since they are all oppressed.
And not by those from other races.
They keep these issues to bait...
A self hatred that goes undebated.
Yet felt,
Although stubbornly unspoken.
And this has allowed a self esteem,
Defeated.
With expectations minimized.
And from their eyes success...
Becomes a thing maximized to beat.
Keeping them divided...
With a call for unity from the tongues.
But despising one another,
They can not seem to cease.
Mystified are many,
Looking from the outside in.
As to why people who 'appear' to be
Of the same race...
Would have issues of skin color.
And have those insecurities they hold...
From the beginning of noticing it,
Until their life experiences end.
This is the sadness,
For those without a dignity to pride!
Or an identity to defend.
This is 'their' sadness!
But not for those who laugh at them.
This is 'their' sadness as observed and seen.
As others who are just as petty...
In a system petty driven to affect and demean.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Lack of Depth
The country was founded on racist principles.
It is a fact many can not face.
And...
Here it is in 2009,
They seek evidence to defend their insecurities.
And those who know this is what they do...
Supply it.
It is a game of sorts.
Of a mindless kind.
And harbored behind suburban walls...
Most of the time.
Whether monkeys are on the front pages,
Of newspapers depicting ignorant images...
To disrespect a loved leader.
As a warning to feed the masses.
And printed and defended by those 'innocent'.
Swept away by their own corrupted decadence.
Or displayed in a bookstore window...
With the offerings of President Obama.
To attract attention...
To the depths of their 'nobled' shallowness.
And digressed intentions clearly meant.
Of those lacking intelligence...
As something a degree defines for them.
So sick is all of this.
They seem to celebrate their wickedness.
And intelligence that is of a higher state of mind...
Has never been one of their attributes.
Theft, deception, lieing and hate expressions...
Are the basis of their foundations made.
And so apparent are these...their 'gifts'.
Folks will always find these kinds of people,
Doing the best they can to agitate.
Afterall...
They do feel they are superior!
However...
They are just not convincing enough to be!
Not to those who they expose their lack of depth,
Or express a consciousness.
Unless...
To offend others.
Especially those of color,
They feel free to unleash their demented contempt.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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People Submerged In Their Insecurities
People submerged in their own insecurities,
Have a constant need to speak of one's race.
Constantly!
And...
The color of one's skin.
And who is responsible for today's racism.
With deceitful confessions,
That these are not part of their 'sins'.
They are!
And that's why they wish to keep it identified.
They are,
Themselves...
On the dark side.
And doing it absent of color.
Or the lack of it shown!
They are...
People submerged in their own insecurities.
And people like these,
Make their presence known!
Even if their actions annoy themselves...
In a collective ignorance that is overblown!
They are...
People who dislike,
People like me.
And others who strip disguises away,
From people submerged...
In a willingness to inflict their own insecurities,
With misdeeds and a hate for self reflection.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Color of Our Skin
The color of our skin
Need not have shades of prejuduce
A tinge of biased thoughts therein
And hues of endless racial malice.
The color of our skin
Does not show our state of heart -
What we are, or where we've been,
Or the love we have there to impart.
The color of our skin
Does not show in our poetry
We write the human side we're in
And show the canvas of diversity.
We're thankful for these colors
And hope that people come to know
Whatever reasons our poems are for,
We are all colors of the rainbow.
poem by Cynthia Buhain-Baello
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Red Is The Color I See
Red Is the Color I See
Red is the only color she can see
Dripping from the sky sliding from the trees
Red is the only color she sees
From the blink of an eye to a dropp of a penny
Red is the only color she sees
From the pain exploding within
To the drink being mixed with vodka or Gin
Red Is the Color Hanging On the Walls
Crawling on the floor and sliding down the halls
Red it the blanket that covers her a night
The color that hugs her skin so tight
Red is the Color that whispers death
That suck up the air and your last breathe
Red is the color tell her it will be ok
Just lay down close your eyes and pray
Red is the color that didn't make it through the night
Eyes closed no more memories in sight
Red it the color that hung on the knife
Gone was a life
No a breathe or a blink
The knife now lies in the sink.
poem by Jamelia Lane
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Color Me
I wish that they would color me
The color of the rose
The color of the spring
Or the color of the snow.
If again they’d color me
The color that I would be
Would be the color I could see
As long as I am free.
As I wish that they would color me
The color of the trees
Or the color of the leaves
And then that color I would be.
I wish that I was a rainbow
With the many colors of the sky
Or the single color of a star
Shimmering in the night.
And if again they would color me
The color that I would be
Would be the color that is me
Is the color that I could see.
Randy L. McClave
poem by Randy McClave
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Like A Mask
ignorant people
wear prejudice like a mask,
hiding their own fears
and insecurities.
it's not the color of skin,
but the color of a man's heart.
it's not religious beliefs,
or sexual orientation,
but the basic humanity of all men!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Color of Skin
Today we celebrate and cheer.
We all scream today a new era begins.
But wait and ask ourselves has the past really come to an end.
Are we cheering because hope is on the rise?
Or are we cheering just because the color of the man.
and if the latter the dream has yet to come.
Because we did not elect because of content of his charter
most of us voted just because the color of his skin.
Those who are Caucasian mostly voted because it is now
fashionable to be liberal, and us who are black vote mainly
because of the color of his skin.
So as you're cheering saying the dream has come true
understand in order for the dream to be true we all
must see past the color of our own skin.
Chameleon
If humans had the skin of a chameleon
we would never fear each other.
For we'd just change the color of our skin
to match the color of a brother.
poem by Edwina Reizer
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Engrossed and Trapped
They feel the freedom to express the affects,
Of today's racism.
As technologies advance.
To leave mindsets like these...
Engrossed and trapped within their insecurities.
One would never believe these conversations breed,
This kind of attention in the year two thousand and ten.
There seems to be more focus on one's color of skin.
By ignorant radio talk show hosts...
Being paid top dollar,
To use the airwaves to solicit a hatred...
That validates the feelings of those who listen.
Whites who describe themselves,
As disliking blacks, browns and jews.
Are given this kind of authorized soapbox...
To discuss their self righteousness.
And who should live as they choose.
There seems to be more focus on one's color of skin.
By ignorant radio talk show hosts...
Being paid top dollar,
To use the airwaves to solicit a hatred...
That validates the feelings of those who listen.
They feel the freedom to express the affects,
Of today's racism.
As technologies advance.
To leave mindsets like these...
Engrossed and trapped within their insecurities.
One would never believe these conversations breed,
This kind of attention in the year two thousand and ten.
But then again...
IF a superiority is what is truly felt.
Why are there reminders needed?
And why is a country of physical diversity...
Have some folks believing,
They should be directing all people...
To do what a few who deceive as they please.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Am I Askin 4 2much
am sick of people actin with me like a child
am sick of not letting me do wt i want
am sick of not letting me say my opinion
am sick every day and every moment
am sick of judging me wrong
am sick of every thing in my life
am sick of them controling me
am sick of selfish people who want me 4 there own good
i want some space i need 2 breath
i want 2 enjoy life with her every moment
i want 2 be able 2 do some misteak
i just want to get a life and be my self
am i askin 4 2much
Sick I Am...
i am sick...please don`t be sad...
i am sick...please don`t tell anyone...
i am sick...please forgive me if i hurt you...
i am sick...going so faraway from here...
i am sick...saying this only for you...
i am sick...maybe will never come back...
i am sick...remember me and never forget me...
i am sick...pray for me and wish me all best what you can...
i am sick...all wounds i have inside my heart...
i am sick...please don`t be sad...
i am sick... and you will never see me..
poem by Hazem Al Jaber
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Im sick
im sick of not knowing,
im sick of not showing,
im sick of all the starring
im sick of not caring
im sick of being labled bad
im sick of always looking sad
im sick of feeling locked in bars
im sick of all the painful scars
im sick of all the thugs
im sick of all the drugs
im sick of asking myself why
im sick of telling myself i want to die
im sick of feeling like i always want to cry
im sick of living a lie
im sick of not having a dream
im sick of lifes borring theme
but thares only one was out...
so what does that mean?
poem by Malorie Genoff
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So Sick
im sick of not knowing,
im sick of not showing,
im sick of all the starring
im sick of not caring
im sick of being labled bad
im sick of always looking sad
im sick of feeling locked in bars
im sick of all the painful scars
im sick of all the thugs
im sick of all the drugs
im sick of asking myself why
im sick of telling myself i want to die
im sick of feeling like i always want to cry
im sick of living a lie
im sick of not having a dream
im sick of lifes borring theme
but thares only one was out...
so what does that mean?
poem by Ricky Baker
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Color Blind
Michael w. smith / wayne kirkpatrick
Theres not a world of difference
Out in the world tonight
Between this world of people
Red, yellow, black and white
But instead of riding a rainbow of love
We still are fighting with prejudice gloves
Of anger
With something to claim
But nothing to gain so
Chorus:
Why cant we be color blind
You know we should
Be living together
And wed find a reason and rhyme
I know we would
cause we could see better
If we could be color blind
Somebodys just assuming
Hes up to nothing good
cause hes not like the others
There goes the neighborhood
What kind of world are we living in
Whe we judge a man by the tone of his skin
Its crazy
cause he has a heart
Like you have a heart and
Chorus
Bridge:
Itd be so fine
To be color blind
To open our eyes
And see color blind
I know this world would be a better place
The only race would be the human race
All of those barriers would be erased
Why cant we be color blind
Chorus
song performed by by Michael W. Smith
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Sick of Being Sick
I’m sick of being rejected;
I’m sick of being emotionally neglected;
I’m sick of crying so many tears;
I’m sick of running away from my fears;
I’m sick of my childhood nightmares;
I’m sick of being told to do those stupid dares;
I’m sick of not having friends;
I’m sick of all these dead ends;
I’m sick of myself for what I’ve become;
I’m sick of feeling oh so numb;
I’m sick of watching myself drown;
I’m sick of my heart falling to the ground;
I’m sick of this life;
I’m sick of this everyday strife;
I’m sick of not having a dad;
I’m sick of getting mad;
I’m sick of my childhood past;
I’m sick of being harassed;
I’m sick of the dread;
I’m sick of wanting to be dead;
I’m sick of being the one who’s always so strong;
I’m sick of being somebody that doesn’t belong! !
poem by Shelby Brockway
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Sick of…
Sick of the world
Sick of people acting like my friend
Sick of people talking behind my back
Sick of people playing games
Sick of people using me
Sick of worrying
Sick of fighting
Sick of being here
Sick of everything
poem by Tiffany Johnson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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