The Colour Bar
I
In twilight twentieth century
men I solemnly religiously revere
not one of sapiently reverend
top three is externally white I fear.
II
Mohatma Mohandas Karamchand Gandi.
Nelson Rolihlaha Mandela.
Martin Luther King. Their praise I sing.
III
Gandi lawyer statesman Indian nationalist leader
advocating ahimsa non-violent non-cooperation
Satyagraha truth and firmness a policy of passive
resistance to British rule advocated by Gandhi
defence of and by truth imprisoned many times
by South African and later British India authorities
assassinated by a Hindu nationalist in January 1948
never posthumously awarded the Nobel Peace Prize?
IV
Mandela lawyer black South African nationalist leader
imprisoned again from 1964 to 1990 for life on charges
of sabotage and plotting to overthrow white government
'The Black Pimpernel' during clashes with authorities
avered because of his ability to avoid South African police
using several disguises a favourite an invisible chauffeur
Mandela anti-apartheid struggle symbol of unity for
worldwide anti-apartheid racial equality movement
Mandela served 27 years in prison 46664 AIDS activist
against AIDS epidemic awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
V
King US Baptist minister black American civil rights leader
Montgomery, Alabama nonviolent bus boycott of 1955
during 382 days of boycott King was arrested his home
was bombed he was subjected to personal racist abuse
250,000 march organizer on Washington DC in 1963
to demand famous “I Have A Dream” speech racial equality
assaulted arrested twenty times awarded Nobel Peace Prize
in 1964 the year Nelson Mandela was sentenced to jail for life
assassinated on motel balcony Memphis Tennessee April 1968.
VI
Will next martyr be an Arab
a stylized western prejudged ambassador?
No an old loyal lion of Israel
who died attempting a Palestinian Israeli
intervening tightrope gap act
assassinated by an Israeli nationalist in 1995.
VII
Mahatma (‘Great Soul’)
a graphic symbol
used in ritual meditation
enclosing a circle a square
with God on each of four sides
to represent the universe.
VIII
Mandala
a circular symbolic figure
as a Hindu and Buddhist religious symbol
representing entire universe in various religions
or a symbol in a dream
representing the dreamer’s search
for completeness and self-unity.
IX
Lutheran
justification by faith alone
as a cardinal doctrine
or characterized by search
theology of Martin Luther.
X
Martyr
specific destination of faith honour
connoting highest degree of saint-ship
one who voluntarily undergoes death penalty
refusing to renounce Christian faith
refusing to renounce any article of faith
perseverance in any Christian virtue
perseverance exhibited in obedience
to any law command of holy church.
XI
King-ism
any twenty-first century apostle
of Prophet Martin Luther King
advocating equality for all humanity
as chosen spokes comprising
ever rotating great wheel turning eternally
in cosmic circle of life or characterized
by theology of Dr. Martin Luther King.
XII
cosmic wheel
turning turning turning
souls earth incarnated
learning learning learning.
XIII
The famous scientist
Albert Einstein said
paying tribute to
Mahatma Gandhi
upon his death
'Generations to come will scarce believe
that such a man as this
walked the earth in flesh and blood'.
Funny peculiar not funny haha how
some professing faith deny men of miracles.
Written 13.3.1996.
poem by Terence George Craddock
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Aung San Suu Kyi
Your name means Liberty
Freedom and Equality
Just like Mandela, Gandhi
And Martin Luther King
Your name means Sacrifice
Hope and Respect for human dignity
You are the last hope for all Burmese
Your dedication is fit for a King.
The democratic world supports you
And loves you
You are the Queen of perseverance
You are fearless in front of malfeasance
Barbarism, brutality and ignorance
Dictatorship always fails
It is a matter of time
Patience always prevails
It is a matter of time.
The enemy is scared
The junta is afraid
Words can defeat bullets
Common sense always defeats bad shots
This is a decent way to phrase it
Bullies are brutal
Because they are immoral
And anti-democratic
Be strong and energetic.
Your name means Democracy
Justice for all and Courage
The lion's rage
Will fade away soon
Don't change your tune
You are like Mandela, Gandhi
And Martin Luther Junior
This is an encore
Keep at it, keep at it
Stay strong, stay fit.
poem by Hebert Logerie
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Let it never be said by future generations that indifference, cynicism or selfishness made us fail to live up to the ideals of
humanism which the Nobel Peace Prize encapsulates. Let the strivings of us all, prove Martin Luther King Jr. to have been correct, when he said that humanity can no longer be tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war. Let the efforts of us all, prove that he was not a mere dreamer when he spoke of the beauty of genuine brotherhood and peace being more precious than diamonds or silver or gold. Let a new age dawn!
quote by Nelson Mandela
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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From My Perspective
From my perspective
I believe that Tupac Shakur was a victim of racism
So as Nelson Mandela, who fought through courage towards the bright light
Tupac was not just a rapper who stood up for young Black males
But an icon to me, a prophet and a voice of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King
And all the unmentioned prophets
There are many examples of such prophets, the other one Is Biko
He is the hero of me, although we still fight the battle within the minds black
Away from the now foreseen ‘Tribal racism’
I remember the time they released Mandela from jail
I was eight years old,
That was a good day for me.
I also remember the time they assassinated Chris Hani
It was just after my birthday, April the 9th
That was a sad day for me
Although all the true stories are never told
My perceptive forever hold
Your perspectives forever hold
After all, this is Africa the truth here is served dead and cold
poem by Sicelo Sithole
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Our Long Walk To Freedom
Nelson Mandela
Mahatma Gandhi
Martin Luther King;
time we lovers
of freedom
all joined them;
at this hour
at this time
claiming;
our Long Walk to Freedom.
poem by Terence George Craddock
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King
KING
' Martin Luther King
and that he was
a man of great moral
a leader because he led by example
KING
what makes a man a king
his determination to lead his people
his commitment, his drive
KING
a father
a husband
a friend
a Leader
For whom left his mark as KING
Man of the century to many who knew his pain
his struggle
Name another man who put his life in the teeth if death for a cause more than King
and for that same reason,
That Farther, Husband, Friend and Leader
Remains most of all
KING'
By: Kottrell Johnson
poem by Kottrell Johnson
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Southern Heroes
One day the South will recognize its real heroes,
Martin Luther King Jr wrote a letter to white men from jail,
Who would rather that the courts settle racial segregation,
Where white judges make sure that they don't prevail.
After years of always hearing the word 'wait',
Which almost always meant never instead,
The bomb that exploded a church filled with children,
All for not being what the white men considered 'purebred'.
One day, the South will have to see the real heroes,
Like the man fresh from war when he took a bus to go home
Corporal Roman Duckworth Jr went to see his sick wife,
Killed because they thought he was a freedom rider who didn’t drone.
A full measure of truth and justice,
Is what they wanted to figure out
So many heroes like Dahmer killed,
Who gave a job to any colour without any doubt.
And what about Mrs Viola Liuzzo?
The amazing woman who was transporting
Those who needed a ride between marches,
Shot for being someone supporting.
Both sides had many supporters
But if the Klan was so good and so great,
And all the blacks wanted was to vote,
Why did they feel the need to retaliate?
They killed innocent kids,
Destroyed families aplenty,
They chose to make examples
Of many more then twenty.
But what good is a group,
Who only live to make the world 'pure',
What's the point of having someone
Who explains how to kill in a brochure.
Would you listen to the men
Who shot Reverend George Lee,
The man who convinced people to vote,
The man whose face became debris.
So why, why did they listen?
To the crazy power hungry Klan,
Turning their backs on the cries
Voiced by blacks when hurt by the white man.
Will one day the South learn of the true heroes?
One day, will they respect and honour the truth?
Will there be justice and peace for the restless souls
Plenty of whom were killed in the bloom of youth.
The true heroes are not the ones still standing,
But the ones who died for their beliefs,
The ones who stood tall like the hat of the KKK,
And didn’t back down from the life-taking sneak thieves.
The leader of the bunch was quite a man of speech,
Dr Martin Luther King Jr had a dream,
With his powerful voice he shared that dream
Let freedom ring, let them scream!
Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!
A/N: This was for my Writer's Craft final project. I did it on the Civil Rights Movement, against the KKK. Now, it was supposed to be a ballad, but I wanted more of a truthful thing, so I changed it from your typical ballad, and now it's sort of a free verse ballad.
Please review or message me, I'd love to know what you think about this.
Thanks,
Dani
poem by Danielle Schneider
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A Symbol For Peace, Freedom And Justice
To want freedom and justice for his people was Mandela's only crime
And his freedom taken from him and in jail he spent his prime
But the first democratically elected President of South Africa not one to hold a grudge
His former oppressors he's forgiven he does not condemn or judge.
The now ex President of South Africa is a legend in his time
His potrait painted by famous artists and he's inspired the bards to rhyme
His fame has spread around the World far distant from his Country's shore
And the name of Nelson Mandela destined to live forever more.
He was wrongfully imprisoned yet a grudge he does not hold
And his life well documented and his story often told
In his old age quite a hero and so many he inspire
And a fellow like Mandela is so easy to admire
One of the few inspirational figures in the history of human
kind
And his equals are not many people like him hard to find
A symbol for peace, freedom and justice he is one who can forgive
And the name of Nelson Mandela forever is destined to live.
poem by Francis Duggan
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Innocence In The Eyes Of A Child
shut your eyes
sweet child
see no evil
preserve
innocence
at all costs
cotton wool
cannot protect
innocent eyes
forever
therefore look not upon
fate karma suffering
cruelty evil choice others
live see not
reality true nature
of this world
never grow to be
a Mahatma Gandhi
a Martin Luther King
a Nelson Mandela
sometimes as innocence
we must cross white line
walk within trigger hairs
to do what is right
to champion good to serve God
to risk life to make
a better world
shut your dove eyes
sweet cherub child
see no vile earth evil
poem by Terence George Craddock
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It Wasn't A Prison Mandela.
I call you Madiba,
I mean Mandela a sun of African soil,
Just hear me from where I am,
Yes this voice from east Africa,
Hear this truth,
You were not in prison rather than in the college.
That island they call prison,
It’s a real University,
You stood firm,
Achieving degrees,
After Twenty seven years,
You over-achieved the target,
Became a professor of politics.
Listen to this voice Nelson,
A hero of this millennium,
Brother of the humiliated,
Master of all prisoners,
A king of patients,
Superman of courage,
If Africa needs unity,
You are the flag.
Do you hear me Madiba?
Those voices you missed,
Now hear them,
From every Angle of this World,
All colors respect you,
All flags bow unto you,
As you hold true Love for them.
Do you miss them Mandela?
I mean your fellow comrades?
Solomon Mahrangu didn’t die in vein,
Nor Patrice Lumumba wasn’t scared of death,
Even Edward Mondlane didn’t loose that spirit of fighting,
Samola machel’s soul still exist,
Julius Nyerere reminds you of fighting spirit,
Do you know what they did?
Whether in heaven or in hell, even in life,
They shouted for your victory,
Via Mandela! Viva Mandela!
Viva Mandela! Viva Mandela!
Even if you speak to us,
Or you write to us,
I tell you Madiba,
Even if they tell us your story,
Whether true or not,
Whether they add or reduce,
Hear this out Old man,
No one will ever feel
The same way you felt,
But you know what Nelson?
Their shouting! Shouting! Shouting!
Will always be like a drum,
That produces the wonderful sound,
Of the African spirits.
This is every one feel in every today,
You stay forever to see your generosity,
If they could have seen God,
They would have asked him a favor,
To take your soul with you body,
And fly with you away in heaven,
But ooh! This is a secret under the cover,
Shangwe Mandela, hongera Mandela,
Your name might never wipe way,
Till forever come.
poem by Dickson Mseti
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Martin Luther King Junior
Today is Martin Luther King Junior's birthday; a day that we celebrate.
Without his influence, Barack Obama probably wouldn't be the President of the United States.
He wanted black people to have equal rights.
He didn't cower in the face of this fight.
He knew that some people are consumed by hate.
Sadly one of those people took his life in 1968.
Martin Luther King Junior died for what he believed in.
People shouldn't be prejudice because of the color of skin.
poem by Randy Johnson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Martin Luther King, Jr. didn't carry just a piece of cloth to symbolize his belief in racial equality; he carried the American flag.
quote by Adrian Cronauer
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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They Killed Him
There was a man named mahatma ghandi
He would not bow down, he would not fight
He knew the deal was down and dirty
And nothing wrong could make it right away
But he knew his duty, and the price he had to pay
Just another holy man who tried to make a stand
My god, they killed him !
Another man from atlanta, georgia
By the name of martin luther king
He shook the land like rolling thunder
And made the bells of freedom ring today
With a dream of beauty that they could not burn away
Just another holy man who dared to be a friend
My god, they killed him !
The only son of God almighty
The holy one called jesus christ
Healed the lame and fed the hungry
And for his love they took his life away
On the road to glory where the story never ends
Just the holy son of man well never understand
My god, they killed him !
Sing about mahatma ghandi
Sing of martin luther king
Sing of jesus christ almighty
And the brothers kennedy
song performed by by Kris Kristofferson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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They Killed Him (feat. Memphis Tennesee Police Choir)
There was a man named Mahatma Ghandi
He would not bow down, he would not fight
He knew the deal was down and dirty
And nothing wrong could make it right away
But he knew his duty, and the price he had to pay
Just another holy man who tried to make a stand
MY GOD, THEY KILLED HIM !
Another man from Atlanta, Georgia
By the name of Martin Luther King
He shook the land like rolling thunder
And made the bells of freedom ring today
With a dream of beauty that they could not burn away
Just another holy man who dared to be a friend
MY GOD, THEY KILLED HIM !
The only son of God Almighty
The holy one called Jesus Christ
Healed the lame and fed the hungry
And for his love they took his life away
On the road to glory where the story never ends
Just the holy son of man we'll never understand
MY GOD, THEY KILLED HIM !
Sing about Mahatma Ghandi
Sing of Martin Luther King
Sing Of Jesus Christ Almighty
And the brothers Kennedy
song performed by by Kris Kristofferson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a time to honor the greatest champion of racial equality who taught a nation - through compassion and courage - about democracy, nonviolence and racial justice.
quote by Mark Pryor
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Should we understand the last 25 years of global integration as nothing more than a detour from the previous inevitable cycle of history — where might makes right, and politics is a hostile competition between tribes and races and religions, and nations compete in a zero-sum game, constantly teetering on the edge of conflict until full-blown war breaks out? Is that what we think? Let me tell you what I believe. I believe in Nelson Mandela’s vision. I believe in a vision shared by Gandhi and King and Abraham Lincoln. I believe in a vision of equality and justice and freedom and multi-racial democracy, built on the premise that all people are created equal, and they’re endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights. And I believe that a world governed by such principles is possible and that it can achieve more peace and more cooperation in pursuit of a common good. That’s what I believe. And I believe we have no choice but to move forward; that those of us who believe in democracy and civil rights and a common humanity have a better story to tell.
quote by Barack Obama
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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History Is Made Today
Kunta Kinte's Gambia,
Kwame Nkrumah's Ghana,
Nelson Mandela's South Africa,
Kofi Annan's U.N.,
And Barack Obama's U.S.A.;
All the records are there for a purpose,
For today history is made in the U.S.A.!
Check the history of these great men and what they are made of?
For the Slave Trade started in the year 1530;
And in 2008, a Blackman is elected as the 44th U.S.President.
1530 to the Slave Trade,
And after 478 years today history is made;
4th November's U.S. Election made a history!
Of slaves from Nigeria,
Of slaves from Ghana,
Of slaves from Senegal,
Of slaves from Gambia,
Of slaves from Angola,
And all the other places of the African Continent;
What was due to us has been done.
'I have a dream'! Martin Luther King (1963):
And today (2008) the dream is fulfilled (Barack Hussein Obama) .
Even babies could pronouce the name 'Obama'! ! !
For the American dream is for a better America.
Of the slaves gone by and the tears of the people today,
Out of Africa to America;
Inot the plantations of a hard work to fulfil this dream today,
So i really understood the tears of many after the results.
'Yes we can'! After 478 years in history;
The American Independence came but many were still not liberated,
Not until the 4th November's 2008 U.S. Election.
I say the tears of many,
And this history of the First Black Family to sit in the White House;
But to al things, let us give glory to the Creator Almighty.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
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A lot of people are waiting for Martin Luther King or Mahatma Gandhi to come back - but they are gone. We are it. It is up to us. It is up to you.
quote by Marian Wright Edelman
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Leon Takes Us Outside
Valentines day, 25, june, 16th,
Wednesday, july 6th, 20, 0, 20, 15,
Martin luther king day, june 18th, june 6th,
Wednesday, august 18th, 9th, 1999, 12,
Nicholas, august, wednesday, 13th,
Sunday, 5th, march,
October, january,
October 13th, wednesday,
Martin luther king day,afternoon,
In view of nothing, 20, 0, 1, late winter,
Martin luther king day, 12, 16, august, wednesday, 13th,
Friday, 7, june.
song performed by by David Bowie
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Tribute Fits for a Great King
Bring the drums, the flute and the trombone.
Bring the clarinet, the guitars and the saxophone,
So we can honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Junior,
Who was the King of the Civil Rights Movement. No one can ignore
His sacrifices for mankind and his dedications
To world’s peace and justice. His contributions
To our world are enormous. Dr. King is still a beacon of hope,
A man who did not believe in giving up. He was the Pope
Who espoused humanity, decency and love for all.
He was not a tall man, however, he dreamt BIG not small.
Dr. King was a giant in every meaning of the word.
He was not a violent man, but his tongue was a powerful sword,
Who pierced the rhinoceros skin of racism and injustice.
Today, I feel blessed to write about this man of peace and justice,
This gentleman of tolerance and love, and this brother,
Who never ceased to inspire me, especially in my darkest hours.
Bring the children, the elders and the crippled to honor
The King of hope and perseverance. Bring the flowers of all colors,
To celebrate his insurmountable tasks and great accomplishments.
Come to shower such an icon with endearing compliments.
Bring the drums, the tuba and the trombone.
Bring the clarinet, the banjos and the saxophone,
So we can honor the King and his disciples,
Who challenged the status quo, and who won with flying colors.
Let’s have a ticker-tape parade; come and read the articles
Of the struggle. Bring the confetti, bring the flowers
To thank all brave men and women who marched peacefully
At his side. Dr. King’s legacy will live eternally,
And his dream of equality will never die.
Ring the bells. Let’s sing, let’s chant and cry
Out loud to wish Our Brother a HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
And let’s continue to hope and to pray for a better day.
poem by Hebert Logerie
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Wealth And Racism
Yes tell me it is not called the third world!
It is called the developing world? Developing?
Yes tell me it is not rich people exploiting the poor!
It is the system and multinational corporations?
People would never do such things deliberately!
News flash, some people not only would, they are?
To poor people struggling inside a third world.
Rich people can symbolize oppression slavery.
Rich people at best may be just rich boss pricks.
It does not amatta, what acolour, a skin is...
when it isa youa, who isa starving, toa slowa death!
When it isa youa, whoisa nota gota, fullie stomach!
It does not matter what colour a skin is...
When the people exploiting you are all the same.
When the people exploiting you are all rich pricks.
Of course children under five starving to death...
do so without ever experiencing the need to learn...
the meaning, of such words terms; their experiences differ...
Poor third world people, dying of starvation wages...
when lucky enough, to get any kind, of work at all.
Or being sweat shop worked, to a dropp dead early grave...
don’t usually much care, who is classified as super rich.
Or what prejudice exists, between the boss mega rich.
Arguments and equations
demanding colour equality.
Tend to lose ground and relevance
quickly, for the dying and the dead.
Questions of race harmony
can best be resolved.
When the entire race of humanity
is fairly, clothed and fed.
For dedicated; chosen social reformers;
like Mahatma Gandhi and Doctor King.
True civilized; family brotherhood;
has evolved to protect the underdog.
Regardless of religion, race, colour;
or conceived social status or class.
To truly love and protect fellow human beings
is truly a wonderful beautiful thing.
True social reformers are not limited
or interested in more power to women,
gays, specific religious groups, ethnic
groups, or class stratum of society; if
this means greater power misdirected,
to exploit, any specific part, of now
always important, social stratification;
contemporary, gradually evolving, human
conditioning society. The elimination
of all exploitation and underclasses, is
also the final freedom curing, of power
crazed misguided souls, wasting human
unresourced potentiality. But to a few, a few
stinking, filthy rich, rich blobs, of supposed
humanity; it makes not an iota of difference,
when, their exploited, third world workers,
expire. After the grasped, exploitation of the bitter
husk, it matters not what becomes, of withering dust.
To be further downtrodden, no more; to hunger or
starve, no more; to be free at last, to be free at last.
To de Mr Big Rich Boss Man, all used up, time to get a new one!
After all dem gutters are full, plenty more, where dat came from!
It was Jesus who said, a rich man is a man,
who has enough food for each day,
and if you have two garments, give one to
your brother who lacking has none!
Copyright © Terence George Craddock
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948) was known as Mahatma, or ‘Great Soul’. He was a fearless champion of the weak and oppressed and said of himself, “The only virtue I claim is truth and non-violence.”
Martin Luther King, Jr., (1926-1968) . A black clergyman and inspiring speaker influenced by the non-violence policy of Gandhi, who became a leader of the struggle for racial equality and civil rights in the United States from 1956 onwards.
poem by Terence George Craddock
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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