The Effects of Racism
I was once invited to participate,
In a seminar.
To discuss the effects of racism,
Conducted many miles away in an isolated
Remote area
Distanced from where the effects took place.
Near my home.
And I was to be the only Black to appear,
On this prestigious panel.
I declined the offer.
Since I felt it was ridiculous,
To remove myself away from those 'effects'
While in discussion with others,
Who kept perpetuated the acceptance
Of expressed indifferences.
Plus I had attended another affair,
At the same location...
As others listened intently,
While I explained reasons for wearing my hair
In dreads!
And if it had an affect on my identity.
I was then asked to come again,
Next time I was in the area.
As if these 'settings' would be missed,
In my life!
And those who 'sympathized' with my plight,
Would embrace my need to receive their acceptance.
With an understanding of my internal turmoil.
Which, of course, had to depress,
My sensibilities.
Yes!
Only an eyewitness experiencing this,
Would appreciate the sacrifices I make.
Living amongst those who have not been so 'chosen'
To escape from their deprived and substandard conditions.
Inflicted upon them by those less liberal of deed.
I feel so blessed to be honored,
By those 'willing' to share their comfort zones!
However...
There is something about my own environment,
That affords me the freedom to express less pretentiousness.
Although I must say this,
Being a 'victim' of those who are racists...
Has, at times, been to my benefit.
At least I know where they are coming from.
And I have been given opportunities to avoid them!
With a choice to leave them and their preceptions,
'Impressed' upon their limited consciousness.
And I,
Could leave them alone to glorify their intentions.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Related quotes
Enactments
Now that their feelings of betrayal...
And being disgruntled,
Have a rawness about it...
They believe there is a commonness,
Left to express those displeasures...
With those historically distressed.
Those they would normally regard as pests!
And that was just...
Yesterday!
With their duress confessed,
During these suppressed times...
They seem to quickly display,
A discomforting selfishness...
They wish would go away,
To unwind and leave behind.
Like keys left with the butler or maid.
If not for temporary and sentimental reasons!
When the times were good for them...
They would not be seen,
Appearing in daylight...
With 'those' disadvantaged on urban streets.
Exposing their faces on such scenes.
And rubbing shoulders,
With these 'underlings' they meet!
'These surroundings?
How gouache.
Tasteless.
And so unbecoming! '
They would have ignored them,
As not being among those blessed!
They would have compared their separateness...
By comparing acquired materialism,
That kept them feeling falsely blessed.
But somehow their current fellowship expressed,
Seems more like a pretentiousness hiding a desperation.
And spreading a shallow attempt,
To solicit empathy from those who can least afford it.
Those who know who 'they' are!
And why they have been kept by 'them' suppressed.
Those things they once had,
No longer provides the escape...
From their insecurities now exposed.
So they have 'chosen' to be amongst the poor.
To uplift a hollowness...
Left from a loneliness of an emptiness felt.
Somehow,
This can not be easily erased.
Or from them now to go ignored.
Or replaced...
As one awaits for delivered luggage,
To leave quickly a bad vacation.
Especially when faces of a different hue...
Reminds them of a racistness they inflicted,
And kept in place to subdue...
In brutal disrespect.
Who knew these times would be so stinging.
Leaving so many unprepared?
To unpack cares and fresh hints of concern.
Now 'they' appear as if in research...
Seeking a way to find a comfort.
One that is not as demeaning as seen,
Or vividly portrayed...
By those who seem professional,
Recreating enactments placed upon them...
To do that poverty 'thing'
Done so well!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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The drowsy effects
Liqueur is sought
For its drowsy effects
Rather than for its
Early electrifying effects.
Woman is sought
For her drowsy effects,
Not for stimulating effects.
20.03.2009
poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar
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Noticeable Shifts
With hopes that one's perception of change,
Is observed without them experiencing the effects of it.
Can be considered,
A 'derangement' of sorts.
And inflicted by...
An apparent malfunctioning of reason taught,
And valued.
Some sit and wish,
For a painless delivery.
Wanting to claim they've gone through a change,
With a clinging onto a way of life done...
That remains comfortably for them the same.
Changes are drastic with noticeable shifts.
Sacrifices are made.
Some are physical.
Others mental.
Either way,
Emotions play a major part...
In the distributing of what comes to exist.
And those who believe they can avoid a life of anguish...
Are dealing with serious issues of acceptance.
With beliefs they can be ignored as exceptions,
As they pray to pick and choose...
A kind of life to live,
With a sweetened treatment that is obstacle free.
And handed to them with a gentleness,
That is smooth like a tune hummed and grooved.
'What is that noise heard in the background? '
~Someone fussing over facts.
And boo-hooing over a life they lived,
With a wish to have it back.~
Changes are drastic with noticeable shifts.
Sacrifices are made.
Some are physical.
Others mental.
Either way,
Emotions play a major part...
In the distributing of what comes to exist.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Acceptance Leads To Comprehension To Digest
Acceptance leads to comprehension to digest.
To learn and progress with an understanding.
It has to be difficult to achieve for anyone who believes...
A picking to choose their own experiences,
Leaves them with an expanded vision.
And many eventually pay exorbitant fees,
Just to keep their limited perceptions isolated...
And unfulfilling,
To discover their lives have been deprived of adventure.
As others choose their lives to live free of enforced restrictions.
'I'm very impressed you have a PHd.
However...
Why do you leave your shoes untied?
Aren't you afraid you invite a 'trip'?
Or had you thought about this to prevent a fall? '
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Since the Government Has Been Broken
My life,
Has never been a convenience.
It has been a strategic manuevering,
To avoid polarization.
There had been those who attempted,
To block my path with inventive obstacles.
Trying to convince my sense of self,
That my acceptance of who I am...
Was nothing more,
Than a self inflicted sham.
While others who believed I sought attention,
Did their best to ignore my intentions.
And used my skin color as some kind of bait.
To make me feel my fate,
Was in their hands to disintegrate.
Dysfunctions and my choice of interests,
Became for them a focus.
And today these criminal minded beings...
Stand on the edge of an abyss,
As if they are the choice of folks...
To brag about which destruction,
Everyone prefers the most!
My life,
Has never been a convenience.
It has been a strategic manuevering,
To avoid polarization.
Something the country we live in,
Seems not to be able to escape.
Since the government has been broken...
By self interest and debate.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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To Embellish A Nonexistence Has Adverse Effects
Ego fed insecurities,
Addicted to seeking acceptance...
Are protective of their delusions.
And easily offended,
By a truth that is to them directed.
It is more important for them to impress,
Than to honestly address their own issues.
Something blocked in their minds,
Will not allow them to do this.
And quick they are to misinterpret reality.
They believe reality is something to twist to fit,
A determined wish to see,
Life from their prespective.
And only a life lived to experience as is,
Can be received to accept to adjust...
Not correct to reject what is presented!
Ego fed insecurities,
Addicted to seeking acceptance...
Are protective of their delusions.
And easily offended,
By a truth that is to them directed.
To embellish a nonexistence,
Has adverse effects.
And adverse effects are difficult to keep,
From being exposed.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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I Am In Total Agreement With Your Assessment
I am in total agreement with your assessment.
It is difficult to live with limited funds.
Budgeting to pay for shelter, food and utilities.
I am in total agreement with your assessment.
It is difficult to witness others live being deprived.
While their lives are being ignored.
And/or exploited in a hussle to keep them needy.
I am in total agreement with your assessment.
So many now are forced to descend from high horses.
And getting a taste for the first time,
How life is lived without good credit scores.
Or multiple opportunities coming to knock at their doors.
I am in total agreement with your assessment.
Very few are not so quick to pass judgement these days.
And knowing from my own experience...
How to remove myself from someone stunned.
Learning they too have become shunned and 'thumbed'
By the very same ones they supported,
At the expense of their own inhumanity.
I am in total agreement with your assessment.
But do not believe,
I am here empathetic and prepared to embrace your pain.
I've already been numbed by your reaction to mine.
I see nothing in that to aid my benefit with gain.
Like I said...
I am in total agreement with your assessment.
It is so vivid.
As if I'm still living it with too much acceptance.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Remember This
Stop blaming those effects,
You did not expect to affect you life...
In the way they have,
On me or others to depress.
You picked and chose,
With a careful selection...
Every aspect,
In full consciousness.
You are the receiver of your beliefs.
Whether you accept that or not.
And apparently those decisions,
You alone made without initial regret...
Have come to stare you in the face.
And this makes you upset.
Why?
Remember this...
You did tell me to mind my own business!
So do not accuse me 'now'...
Of having no empthy towards you to show.
OR none coming from me to you to express.
Remember this...
You did tell me to mind my own business!
And if I had not...
That would have led to an argument,
You would have kept to never forgive or forget!
Remember this...
You did tell me to mind my own business!
And doing that,
I have learned what is best to protect...
With a peace that has welcomed my happiness.
Remember this...
I have given to you 'exactly' what you wished!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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A Penalty For The Effects
The effects deliver a penalty, for them we contrive,
The inventors are awake in the old yard, picking and solving.
May they all lose once and for all, in the efforts to investigate
What may be the solution for your problem so highly regarded.
Irate officers bloom in ways called flower, the opposites,
The palatial rooms of a man’s heart, so blowing away the trust,
Understanding the tasks of religion when asked, demanding less
Every day, the next days are hard to explore and they start to be cruel.
Less knowledge is employed for the benefit of humanity,
The effects of a river dive into the blue waters, so oceanic.
poem by Naveed Akram
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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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We look into mirrors but we only see the effects of our times on us - not our effects on others.
quote by Pearl Bailey
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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When a Consciousness Begins to Lift
When a consciousness begins to lift...
To leave behind foolishness that exists.
There seems to be an acceptance of it.
As if one realizes,
A birth has been committed.
When a consciousness begins to lift...
A release of limitations,
Easily takes a shift.
No longer is one concerned,
About winning conflicts with enemies burned.
When a consciousness begins to lift...
It becomes easier to observe,
Those disturbed and their afflictions addicted.
Enjoyed and unrestricted.
When a consciousness begins to lift...
It is best to rest.
And let it accept the truth,
That comes with it.
When a consciousness begins to lift...
Expect a shock and some loneliness.
When a consciousness begins to lift...
Those experiencing this,
Are left to feel estranged!
Alienated,
From that...
Which one had thought,
Was sane!
When a consciousness begins to lift...
Enjoy it as a gift.
Unveiling an abundance of understanding.
Connecting a peace that can be reached.
With a wish to share and treat.
When a consciousness begins to lift...
From those taught they should live,
With lives accepted in self defeat!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Homebase
People do make decisions to leave a comfort zone,
Wilfully...
To seek opportunities elsewhere,
With a doing of this regretfully, sometimes.
And there are those who feel less comforted,
By a showing of a lack of support...
Within their own homebase.
Unable to create their opportunities,
Without feeling to be chased away.
Knowing to maneuver around this truth,
Is too much to convince others to prove.
So they leave happily with this acknowledged...
A growth that explores life,
Is much more important to experience...
Than withnessing a tired stagnation permitted to exist.
While others sit with no ambition,
Advocating the acceptance of this.
Now...
To return with a learning process to share,
With others prepared to become aware...
Is a different story.
Since one's tolerance level has broadened,
To be or not to be involved.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Dreads
It's not a statement of defiance,
I wear my hair in dreads.
It's who I am...
And I'm proud to show them.
Naturally...
On my head!
I use to keep my hair short and faded...
Conservative in conformity!
To fit into a 'conscious' acceptance...
An unspoken, visual uniformity.
Believing to appear like everyone else...
Would bestow upon me,
A certain respected sense of self.
Having no clue it was 'me' I pursued!
It took me a while to realize,
From myself I ran and fled!
Then when I 'woke' up clear with understanding...
I still had concealed a truthfulness not revealed.
My hair is 'nappy'!
And when not cut,
It dreads!
Curling into 'naps'.
And feeling comfortable on my head.
How sweet the awakening...
To a wholesomeness fed!
Not to dred but to wear in pride.
It's not a statement of defiance,
I wear my hair in dreads.
It's who I am...
And I'm proud to show them.
Naturally...
On my head!
Dreadlocked.
And now that I feel,
My best of self can be expressed...
I see so many who are trapped in masquerades.
Doing their best to project...
What they feel someone else,
Will accept without protest!
And I am so happy I can live my life...
With a peace of mind I find at rest!
Knowing a simple thing like 'dreads'...
Exposes a complete identity I keep.
And makes me feel at my very best yet!
Instead.
Forgetting the 'me' who I thought I knew...
And having not one regret!
Not within my heart I thread.
Note:
Dedicated to those dreadlock wearers
who feel the gloriousness of being who they are!
And a deep kindred with 'Jah' The Supreme!
A strengthening of 'spirit' develops when one
becomes...'dread-headed'!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Whenever It Decides the Moment to Arrive
It may appear,
That another's suffering and pain...
Is theirs alone to endure.
It may appear like that,
To those viewing it...
From distances believed,
Protected and safe as they sit!
And it may take years,
For what on the 'outside' to come,
And appear before those with indifferences.
But it comes unexpectedly.
Without warning.
Announcements.
Or an acceptance proclaimed with cheers.
Leaving those with indifferences regretting.
But inflicted with a grief,
That offers to them no relief.
Or a quick sedation to assist the speed of forgetting.
When a pain comes to maintain a sustained visit...
It comes,
Whenever it decides the moment to arrive!
Especially to those,
Who are without empathy.
Whether felt or not!
Or chosen to keep hidden inside!
That,
Someday...
Will be addressed.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Hunter And Hunted
Shooting from the hip
About our faith and love
I see it in your faces thin as shadow
See me as I figure in your late night plan
See me as I'm cocooned up in Badland
The side effects of cruising at the speed of life
The side effects of living in temptation
When only one star is waiting up on all of us
You'll see me as I'm cocooned up in Badlands
And how do I feel living in the eighties
And do I get to see the light of day
Kyoto in the snow but Heaven's far away
Sending their love --- passion parade
Hunter and the Hunted
With me first times can never lie
They were young --- they were brave --- they were the honest set
The greatest show on earth is here tonight love
See me as a figure in the late night plan
See me as I'm cocooned up in Badlands
The side effects of cruising at the speed of life
The side effects of living in temptation
When only one star is waiting up on all of us
You'll see me as I'm cocooned up in Badlands
And how do I feel living in the eighties
And do I get to see the light of day
Kyoto in the snow
Heaven's far away
Sending their love
Passion parade
Hunter and the Hunted
With me first times can never lie
Only with you
Life moves so fast
When your hear me screaming
I'll be seeing through the eyes of love
Tell me can you hear me
Tell me can you see me
song performed by by Simple Minds
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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You'd go in, read the script once for timing and then you would sit around and play games. The sound effects people would come in and we would do a dress rehearsal so they could get the effects and the music cues in place. Then you would wait until you went on the air.
Other effects in the show included models of the ships which were extremely expensive to make. We used to do our shots in front of a blue screen and they'd put the effects on after.
quote by Gil Gerard
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Determined He Is to Lift Them
He has been selected.
He is the choice,
To remove the use
Of special effects...
From their deluded lives.
And the task will be great...
Since the clean up will be monumental.
He is up for the challenge.
Generations addicted,
Are preparing for their withdrawal from illusion.
It will be a sacrifice,
Unlike any they have known!
He has been selected...
To jolt them into reality!
They had never traveled there before he came.
And all are not aware,
This change he claims he comes to share...
Will not be painless.
It wont be!
Withdrawal from a drug...
Is a most unpleasant, excruciating experience.
How this will be endured...
Depends on his charisma.
And which antidote he has created to infuse,
To rid those who still beg for one more taste...
Of an accustomed assortment of fantasies!
At whims they were quick to intake.
They do not realize it!
He is going to be strict,
And determined he is to lift them...
From the bowels of anger and deception.
Deployed by racists tactics.
And those addictions are difficult to shed.
But the recovery has promise.
Those longing to remain conscious,
Are hopeful for the times ahead.
Understanding his words and everything he says.
And this as he envisions it...
Has never happened quite like this before!
This is a different door,
No one had the guts to open!
To bring a mindset to embrace a new shore.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Love Hurts
Love hurts but does not leave behind
Any traces that may remain as unkind
It is divinely felt and realized life time
That love was made once but missed all the times
It you talk of lust and remind it often
It may then prove to be shock even
It will emerge and destabilize the mind
You may become restless and turn blind
'Why did he do this to me' may strike always and harp
The worries may invade and cut sharp
It will be done all in matter of seconds
There will be panic for fishes in pond
There is peaceful atmosphere
But that is disturbed by unknown fear
You were not aware of the consequences
That it may leave behind pale and sad face
It may take few days to regain
But some of the effects may remain
It may not allow you to live with peace
Life may be left in turmoil and not at ease
I don't curse my fate
As it has taught me lesson very late
I was not in haste this before
Yet one has to come out of it therefore
No one can emphatically say and assert
That he shall remain aloof and never support
Such an attempt for true love
Only later part may drive him to believe
poem by Hasmukh Amathalal
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