In Your Face
In your face.
And scrutinized on a daily basis,
That should not take place with such curiosity.
But it does with the getting of attention.
I am an American man.
And labelled black to be made aware of that.
To offend many when my proudness is expressed.
I have always had ambitions to be my best.
With a dignity I wear my identity to expose.
I have never had a wish to be depicted as a stereotype,
To appease those who are white to please appetites.
Not me I am happy to be who I am.
And then there are those who wish to be viewed,
As 'good' Negroes.
With obedience and subservience,
Served to those they'd rather not upset.
I am an American man.
And labelled black to be made aware of that.
To offend many when my proudness is expressed.
I have always had ambitions to be my best.
Does this confession make me 'less' patriotic?
Or am I 'more' American because I have beliefs...
To be the best human being that I can be.
Regardless of any images that provide others with relief.
How you depict with descriptions to abuse and define?
Is a problem you have to overcome in your limited mind.
With time given to dread or not.
And 'that' will never be a question you will hear me ask!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
On A Daily Basis
I am often humbled,
By those expressions made
Regarding my thoughts...
With any impressions,
They have laid to stay in minds.
I find I am fascinated.
Whether appreciated or not,
I have to stop sometimes to wonder.
This I've been doing for such a while now.
And I try to maintain a comprehension about life,
With curiosity.
And that isn't easy to express at times.
Especially when my feelings,
Are not heightened by a respect I should let show.
Finding a pinch given gets more attention,
Than a peck on the cheek with cheesiness.
And I ain't that kind of a writer.
And I've been attacked for being black.
Not because I express that!
But...
Because my comments offend,
Those pretending I should not notice bigotry displayed.
Or that I have not been in contact with racism.
I am aware of Disneyland but I've never been.
I can only elaborate on my own personal encounters.
Especially regarding my own life.
With obstacles, strife and tribulations.
Like others who write and many who do not,
There are things I dislike.
There are aches and pains and sufferings I've gained,
From this experience.
But...
Do I choose to dwell on them?
Sure I do.
When it feels good to do it!
But what purpose is being achieved?
A bonding with agony?
Please.
I was in the military,
With guys who bragged about their wounds.
And displayed scars like badges.
On the regular.
So many people carry and share their frustrations.
As if life is an experience only known to a few who live it!
And I've learned life is to be enjoyed!
With as much happiness one allows.
And I say allow!
Since so many choose not to do that!
Many have chosen to be victims.
Listen to them.
This is not denied.
When I discovered peace of mind...
I did not realize I had to pay for it!
Yes!
It ain't free.
And I did with tears, heartache...
And emotional investments!
With lost dignity too.
I held onto my identity.
I knew early it was precious.
One day my faith awakened me with sunlight so bright!
And nature awaiting my acceptance to share it.
I felt at one with the Earth.
I felt I had to thank it
For allowing me to leech upon its goodness.
And not to my surprise the Earth complied.
I expressed a gratefulness to God,
For all the gifts I received that came unwrapped.
I felt a release from entrapments.
And I rid myself of limitations.
Knowing if I was to be ignorant about anything...
Affecting my experience.
There was a lot of misunderstanding I refused to admit.
I had to let that go.
It showed on my face too much.
Today I choose to be naive.
About many things.
With a clarity that there is so much I'd like to learn.
On a daily basis.
I choose to have my life to live it.
Carrying around bitterness is such a waste of time.
Especially when time, as we know it...
IS for the most part,
A human illusion!
Made to market and appease frustrations.
And shopping can frustrate more than constipation.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Named And Stamped With A Brand
Limited interpretations,
Appeal only to those who are appeased.
And kept they are to view their lives,
Manifested to accept that which symbolizes images.
And what for them an image represents.
With a keeping of images limited to interpretation.
And if a depiction in their minds can not be defined,
It is dismissed as worthless.
Until a place for it is found to be labelled,
As an entity to be named and stamped with a brand.
To then be sold as a needed commodity.
With a familiar repeating done of subliminal marketing.
'Whew! What a relief.
We thought we had to accept it as is.
Having its own separate identity.
And that would be too mind altering,
For the limits we have set for our beliefs.
And right now we can not afford expansion.
It's difficult enough as it is to maintain 'some' control.'
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Proudness
How proud of themselves can someone actually be?
If someone else is observed displaying,
A courage with strength and identity.
I would think someone with integrity,
Would be already proud.
And would not allow themselves to question,
A proudness shown...
That seem to be suppressed.
And held inside of them to be in doubt!
Unless more of them are seen walking about?
And this encourages a proudness pronounced...
From them to be strutted with smiles on their mouths.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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My thinking had been opened up wide in Mecca. I wrote long letters to my friends, in which I tried to convey to them my new insights into the American black man's struggle and his problems as well as the depths of my search for truth and justice. I've had enough of someone else's propaganda, I had written to these friends. I am for truth, no matter who tells it. I am for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I am a human being first and foremost, and as such I'm for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole. The American white man's press called me the angriest Negro in America. I wouldn't deny that charge; I spoke exactly as I felt. I believe in anger. I believe it is a crime for anyone who is being brutalized to continue to accept that brutality without doing something to defend himself. I am for violence if non-violence means that we continue postponing or even delaying a solution to the American black man's problem. White man hates to hear anybody, especially a black man, talk about the crime that the white man perpetrated on the black man. But let me remind you that when the white man came into this country, he certainly wasn't demonstrating non-violence.
Malcolm X in The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Black man be human
Black man takes out his wallet and lays it bare for all to see
Marauding notes casing his dignity
Black man be human
Question, how can I be?
Equal to the white man, silk hair smooth skin
Black man be human
Status restored but dignity ignored
Simply shaped by his disfigured identity
Causing all to scream
Black man be human
Black man takes out his wallet and lays it bare for all to see
A face achieved yet sadly he realises
Now the world screams
Black man you are human
Shaped in a western perception
Of what it means to be
Black man you are human
Black man: ‘I am human'
As they told me to be
No uniqueness
Or vision
Shaped
Character
Just like them
Black man: ‘I am human'
poem by Lindsay Maasdorp
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If I Offend, So Be It
If I offend...
So be it!
I am not here,
To be the 'next' James Baldwin.
Or follow in the footsteps,
Of Langston Hughes.
The shoes I wear are quite comfortable.
And the path I walk upon,
Has not already been paved.
That is the task that has be laid before me.
To do that myself!
If I offend...
So be it!
I am not living my life intending to be anyone else,
Than who I am.
I am the first Lawrence S. Pertillar.
And make no mistake about it...
I will be acknowledged,
For the life I've lived.
If I offend...
So be it!
I just know who it is I am.
And I am not who I am because I seek to get paid for it!
Like most folks lost and deluded,
By the meaning of 'identity'.
I've been blessed and I am grateful...
To have a dignity as well.
And 'if' I offend...
So be it!
There's so many others,
Who have minds associated with making a quick buck.
And people like that...
Are indoctrinated with corrupted agendas!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Few and Far Between
Preferring subservience,
Over self determination...
Feeds those begging,
To be seen with appetites...
Under spotlight.
Telling tales of struggles.
For a fee paid!
During the short celebrated days,
Of Black History Month.
An enhancement done,
Of an identity with committment...
Ignoring and resisting resentment,
Takes self assurance.
And a freedom felt...
No one can deny,
By the raising of an eyebrow.
Feared by those wishing to please,
And entertain as appointed.
Commissioned to deliver,
Minutes of guilt freeing reflections.
But those who are aware and know themselves,
With minds untethered or locked in chains...
Pierce through empty promises,
To be acknowledge when these attractions dim.
Goldleaf wishes to adorn 'wings'
In a glorified afterlife with a halo glowed...
May be in the eyes of those,
Hoping to gain favor.
However...
Those who do not 'trip' like this.
And not conflicted as to who they are...
Are few,
And far...
Between!
Those who are aware and know themselves...
Do not need these scenes,
To manifest their ambitions to reach for greatness,
Beyond the limits of staged sterotypes.
OR delight in such paid performances...
To then select from donated boxed meals.
'If you are going to feed me 'anything'...
Feed me your respect! '
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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What 'Fit' Would I Want
Identity?
I've had one for so long.
All my life,
I have lived to perfect it.
I don't get upset with those with none.
Those who prefer to turn away and run...
If confronted!
Identity?
I know who I am without question.
Acceptance I don't seek.
Not from those
Who believe my identity
Might leave others afraid to speak.
Those familiar with others,
Who shuffle along with stances weak.
I have no problem,
Being me and that might offend.
'Too bad! '
'Get over it! '
Nothing else or more is there...
I care to share with them!
What 'fit' would I want,
If that which I enjoy...
Provides me comfort?
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Half my father
Half my father
Half my mother
My mother white as a ghost
My father black as coal
In my face the mixture glows
My skin is white
Still I am a black man
By the make of my nose
My hair is curly
My eyes are gray
Within me both if them lives
My mother’s race
Did enslave
My father’s race
Was never paid.
Still within I bare the two
Am O the new American?
My father is white
My mother is Korean
They met during the war
And I was born
Their only son
By my tone of skin
And by my eyes
You can tell
That there is a divide
And by my blonde hair
It is there for you to spy
Am I the new American?
My mother is German
My father polish
I learned three languages
As I grew older
Both of them
Did love me well
And of each country did tell
That I could draw
From each well
Am I the new American?
My father is Chinese
My mother Spanish
Both crossed over the Rio Grand
I am in the make of my father
But I have my mother’s brown skin
Am I the new American?
poem by David E. Patton
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Young American
They pulled in just behind the fridge
He lays her down, he frowns
"Gee my life's a funny thing, am I still too young?"
He kissed her then and there
She took his ring, took his babies
It took him minutes, took her nowhere
Heaven knows, she'd have taken anything, but
All night
She wants the young American
Young American, young American, she wants the young American
All right
She wants the young American
Scanning life through the picture windows
She finds the slinky vagabond
He coughs as he passes her Ford Mustang, but
Heaven forbid, she'll take anything
But the freak, and his type, all for nothing
He misses a step and cuts his hand, but
Showing nothing, he swoops like a song
She cries "Where have all Papa's heroes gone?"
All night
She wants the young American
Young American, young American, she wants the young American
All right
She wants the young American
All the way from Washington
Her bread-winner begs off the bathroom floor
"We live for just these twenty years
Do we have to die for the fifty more?"
All night
He wants the young American
Young American, young American, he wants the young American
All right
He wants the young American
Do you remember, your President Nixon?
Do you remember, the bills you have to pay
Or even yesterday
Have you been an un-American?
Just you and your idol singing falsetto 'bout
Leather, leather everywhere, and
Not a myth left from the ghetto
Well, well, well, would you carry a razor
In case, just in case of depression
Sit on your hands on a bus of survivors
Blushing at all the afro-Sheilas
Ain't that close to love?
Well, ain't that poster love?
Well, it ain't that Barbie doll
Her heart's been broken just like you have
And
All night
You want the young American
Young American, young American, you want the young American
All right
You want the young American
You ain't a pimp and you ain't a hustler
A pimp's got a Cadi and a lady got a Chrysler
Black's got respect, and white's got his soul train
Mama's got cramps, and look at your hands ache
I heard the news today, oh boy
I got a suite and you got defeat
Ain't there a man you can say no more?
And, ain't there a woman I can sock on the jaw?
And, ain't there a child I can hold without judging?
Ain't there a pen that will write before they die?
Ain't you proud that you've still got faces?
Ain't there one damn song that can make me
break down and cry?
All night
I want the young American
Young American, young American, I want the young American
All right
I want the young American
Young American
Young American, young American, I want the young American
(I want with you, I want with you want)
All right
(You want it, I want you you, you want I, I want you want)
Young American, young American, I want the young American (I want to want, to want, to want , to want I, I want you)
All right
(Lord I wanted the young american)
(young american)
Young American, Young American
I want the young American
Mmmmmm mmm
song performed by by David Bowie
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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From reading a previous answer, you know that I consider all those aspects to be part of American cultural myth and thus they figure into good American poetry, whether the poet is aware of what he is doing or not.
quote by Diane Wakoski
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Guidelines
Everyone here,
Received the same guidelines.
From the same 'source'.
With not a one amended.
None made decisions,
To retrieve them in a coma.
Conscious,
Everyone had been.
No one made a claim to have had amnesia.
And...
All proceeded,
In the direction of their beliefs.
Who knew,
Concretely.
What would be in store for them?
Some maintained their faith.
With prayers daily they would make.
Struggling through emotional heartache.
But never in doubt,
What their faith was about.
Others struggled,
Through their emotional heartaches.
To curse the air they breathe.
And choosing to rewrite the same guidelines.
Replacing what they did not like...
For something else to appease their appetites.
With a choice to fight with voices heard.
No matter what around them occurred.
With revealing evidence.
Those of truth...
And aware of evidence,
An awakened mind would witness.
Became enriched with peace, love and happiness.
Following the same guidelines,
The others refused to comprehend!
And adhere to as was given!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Would You Like My Attention Given Mentioned?
If I had not been proud of who I am,
You would not perceive me of being arrogant.
Nor would you care if I existed.
I wouldn't.
And you know that.
But since you notice my proudness flaunted,
You believe your critique of it...
Makes me more aware of you.
I do give it attention.
Would you like my attention given mentioned?
This you can continue.
For as long as you wish!
Because it is not you or what you do,
That makes me proud!
And I have for too long known of this.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Am I Less Patriotic
Am I less patriotic,
If I choose not to embrace...
Conservative values,
With a more broadened view...
That may be idealistic,
With equality issues I pursue.
Am I less patriotic,
If those who are hypocrites annoy?
The ones with their self righteous political opinions.
Those who influence lawmakers to consider and employ.
Am I less patriotic,
If I am bothered by illegitimate conflicts.
Those that depict one class of people,
As being worthy to indulge...
In the feeding done of their own interests.
Am I less patriotic,
If I wish hunger and homelessness...
From all made to suffer from this,
Was erased from them and did not exist?
Am I less patriotic,
If I chose to express my feelings about it?
And am I less patriotic...
If I refuse to inflict upon another pain,
With a taking away from them...
To benefit my own selfish claims to gain.
Am I less patriotic,
If my ambitions are to sustain and maintain...
A peaceful co-existence,
Between those who have chosen to benefit...
Appreciating their lives as they wish.
Without being oppressed by those who infest...
With a manifestation to control with a beholding?
Taking away from others as if...
They were entitled to do this!
Am I less patriotic?
Or am I just another delusioned human being?
Wishing all differences,
Were accepted or not demeaned to maim.
Or disrespected to be considered obscene.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Mistuh Pahtillah
The name doesn't describe a gorilla.
Or startle with facts,
Like an action drama that is also a thriller.
I can get quite silly when pronoucing my name...
Since those I'm related to
Pronounce my last name,
Like they think they should
And some do as a game!
Pahtalier, Pahtilla, Pahtalah, Purtiller.
Puerteller, Pertillar, Partiller, Pertillaaah.
And giving me what they think I need...
Either long stares or a quick flash of a nod!
To confirm approval or something else odd!
It is so comfortable to be
In a peace of mind that lets things be!
When someone stops to ask,
'Where the hell you get that name from? '
I will gather my dignity then respond...
With my heritage light on!
I am not my name!
The one I was labelled with!
Nor am I a game.
I wont be annoyed intentionally.
Not for the shame of it to this degree!
You can call me and suggest
How best I can put my right foot forward!
Followed by my left!
But the name that you call...
Has to suit to protect our peaceful walls!
That's all!
I'm not looking through you...
As you look as if you can throw me away!
You have strayed away from getting too tender.
Your ancestors made me and those like me,
The one you once abused worse than any enemy!
And forgiveness has made a few of us friends...
Again!
But then again...
I am not my name!
The one I was labelled with!
Nor am I a game.
I wont be annoyed intentionally.
Nor make further wishes
That you should look deeper
Into me and 'see'! ...Me!
Call me what you wish!
But if you think I deserve more respect!
The kind you believe I don't often get.
'Mister Pahtillah' will do fine!
That will put you on my good side...
And we will be in the same frame of mind.
'Mistuh Pahtillah' will do fine!
And someone with a thought or two,
Will begin to think they know me...
And/or you too!
'He think he is Fabulous and Phat!
He thinks he can do anything...
And be All That!
He thinks he could become
A very wealthy man!
Skipping far ahead of the red sign
Dipping his mind on 'trappings' for this 'cat'!
Black and hospitable!
He has known he knew himself inside.
He doesn't need to be labelized.
What he knows is what he does...
And he does it to do it well!
And for me that name means family.
Some may someday 'get it'
And get with it! Or forget it.
Others never cared.
And that should be obvious...
To those aware!
Much of what we have...
Did not come from 'over there! '
Is there something being done,
About what it is that get's in your hair?
I am not my name!
The one I was labelled with!
Nor am I a game.
I wont be annoyed intentionally.
Not for the shame of it to this degree!
'Is this microphone turned off? '
I'm getting scannings and stares.
Nothing is showing in these eyes...
And nothing said is being recognized!
I can't even tell if any of them are aware
I am up here and in their faces.
And few of them make eye contact.
Although attracted they are...
But not to me!
'Is this microphone on? '
I am not my name!
How do I get them...
Inside of me,
To touch?
How is that broken down?
Let's take off our masks,
And throw them onto the ground!
Perhaps with that task...
We will see reflected,
A familiarity accepted!
Something once rejected...
Is now being suspected
That it should be inspected closer.
Call me what you wish!
But if you think I deserve more respect!
The kind you believe I don't often get.
'Mister Pahtillah' will do fine!
That will put you on my good side...
And we will be in the same frame of mind.
'Mister Pahtillah' will do just fine!
I am not my name!
Nor am I a game...
To play losing whims!
With those who can't decide...
Whether to be a Fee Fi or a Foe!
And someone shouts out,
Holding up their right hand...
I have three.
I have four.
And also five.
And he runs closer
'Mistuh Pahtillah...
I played three fo's last night!
That needs to come out! '
They call me Mistuh Pahtillah!
Mistuh Pahtillah.
They call me Mistuh Pahtillah!
I am not my name but they call me,
Mistuh Pahtillah...Mistuh Pahtilluh.
Mistuh Pahtilluh.
I am not my name but they call me...
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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The white, the Hispanic, the black, the Arab, the Jew, the woman, the Native American, the small farmer, the businessperson, the environmentalist, the peace activist, the young, the old, the lesbian, the gay and the disabled make up the American quilt.
quote by Jesse Louis Jackson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Among those best known, their highest ambition is to build American homes, possess American furniture, dress in American clothes, adopt the American style of living and be American citizens.
quote by Sheldon Jackson
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Our identity as a nation — unlike many other nations — is not determined by geography or ethnicity, by soil or blood. Being an American involves the embrace of high ideals and civic responsibility. We become the heirs of Thomas Jefferson by accepting the ideal of human dignity found in the Declaration of Independence. We become the heirs of James Madison by understanding the genius and values of the U.S. Constitution. We become the heirs of Martin Luther King, Jr., by recognizing one another not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. This means that people of every race, religion, and ethnicity can be fully and equally American. It means that bigotry or white supremacy in any form is blasphemy against the American creed. And it means that the very identity of our nation depends on the passing of civic ideals to the next generation.
quote by George W. Bush
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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All American Girl
Skin tight soul delight
Changing her life for another
She dreams magazines
Sees herself on the cover
Anything anytime anywhere
Its fitting in that matters
Faithfully she believes in the look he wants to know better
She knows what she wants
Shes an all american girl
She knows what she needs
Shes a sold american girl
She knows what she knows
Shes an all american girl
She does what she does
Shes an all american girl
Sold american
Shes got a double bubble with a bossanova back
Shes a real hot pepper and I like it like that
Its all right you dont have to change your way
Youre all right Im hoping the best part stays
She knows what she wants
Shes an all american girl
She knows what she needs
Shes a sold american girl
She knows what she knows
Shes an all american girl
She does what she does
Shes an all american girl
Sold american
Street smart close to the heart gotta be real
More than the clothes you wear
You know what youve got look to your heart
You carry your history there
song performed by by Hall & Oates
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Blackjack
Scary john gets his strong arm on
He can break me and make me
Happy with his blackjack
Scary john has the heavy hand on
He smiles without his eyes
Nice and easy with his blackjack
Dont tell me that
You didnt see this coming down
Please dont say that this
Isnt what you wanted now
Scary john gets his strong arm on
He can break me and make me
Happy with his blackjack
Scary john
Always knows whats goin on
He is everywhere
Happy with his blackjack
Please dont tell me that
You didnt see this coming down
Please dont say that this
Isnt what you wanted now
This is your american dream
Everything is simple in the
White and the black
You will never need to see the grey anymore
You will never have to be afraid
When you are happy with the blackjack
I hope you are happy with the blackjack
Scary john
He wants to kill my song
He doesnt like the fact
Im not happy with the blackjack
I dont want to hear the words
He has to say
Please dont tell me that
You didnt see this coming
Please dont tell me
That this isnt what you asked for
Be careful what you ask for
This is your american dream
Everthing is simple in the
White and the black
You will never need to see the grey anymore
You will never have to be afraid
When you are happy with the blackjack
I hope you are happy with the blackjack
This is your american dream
song performed by by Everclear
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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