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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Related quotes
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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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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What I've always said is that I'm opposed to institutional racism, and I would've, had I've been alive at the time, I think, had the courage to march with Martin Luther King to overturn institutional racism, and I see no place in our society for institutional racism.
Liberty Needs Glasses
excuse me but lady liberty needs glasses
and so does mrs justice by her side
both the broads r blind as bats
stumbling thru the system
justice bumbed into mutulu and
trippin on geronimo pratt
but stepped right over oliver
and his crooked partner ronnie
justice stubbed her big toe on mandela
and liberty was misquoted by the indians
slavery was a learning phase
forgotten with out a verdict
while justice is on a rampage
4 endangered surviving black males
i mean really if anyone really valued life
and cared about the masses
theyd take em both 2 pen optical
and get 2 pair of glasses
poem by Tupac Shakur
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Racism
We dont like you cause youre black
We dont like you cause youre white
Judging people by their color
Knowing that its wrong not right
Burning crosses on the lawns
Killing jews in nazi camps
Apartheid in South Africa
The government dont give a damn
Niggers, crackers, jews and spics
Words the devil likes to use
Hate is gonna slit your throat
Hold your ground dont be abused
The time is now to make a stand
Raise your fist dont run and hide
Fight the devil take a stand
Black and white stand side by side
Racism - take a stand
Racism - hold your ground
Racism - keep the faith
song performed by by 24-7 Spyz
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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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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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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The Angry Soup Of Racism
ain't it a shame:
when hate lynches
a 14 year old, Colored boy
in 1955, Mississippi,
and blows away the dreams of
(four innocent little Negroe girls) ,
in 1963, Birmingham, Alabama.
yeah,
bus that to your segregated thoughts:
as I “interracially” walk you,
through Little Rock, Arkansas
with Daisy Bates & nine Black Children,
to march along side the National Guard,
on their way to a lily white school,
as the message of this-
un-segregates & un-tangles
the history of hate;
attackin’ Negroes in 1957,
whose only desire was to be educated;
and schooled too.
racism & hate
doesn’t try to guide,
the white citizen council back,
to their good senses,
‘cause racism-
don’t care ‘bout nobody,
being Jew or Colored,
when it needs to fire-bomb;
Negroe churches with... Negroes in them
or feels the need to “hang” somebody;
from a tree out of existence.
racism even devours… its own kkklan
as the innocent,
pay the ultimate price.
racism doesn’t care,
if, your church is the 16th Street Baptist,
and 14 yr old, Addie Mae Collins
( is one of the four black Alabama children):
killed in attendance.
racism ain’t concerned,
about you being Caucasian either
or your last name being:
Jewish
White
Black
B rown
Till
Schwerner
Evers
Liuzzo
Mandela
Martin or Rodney King,
and so many other names,
that we’ll never know of,
that racism wounded or buried six feet;
under hate.
racism doesn’t care,
about what kinda NAACP dream
you’re having,
or concerned about your last name;
being “Parks, ” in 1955
when it attempts to guide you back;
to the “Colored” section of the bus,
where you know,
your civil-rights will be denied,
every time you allow,
“ segregation & discrimination, ”
to collect its fare.
racism and its hateful followers,
have no regard at all,
for one’s race/religion
or sexual persuasion.
especially, when racism peeps
into its discriminating mirror,
century after century;
time after time,
day after day,
and tells itself, in 2006
“it’s better than you, '
because you’re 'cultured' different
from “them.”
yeah,
racism stirs an “ugly pot” of soup;
that no one should ever have to taste.
poem by Ronald Stroman
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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
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Racism and the Culture Of Racism
We must be aware…..,
Of the Culture Of Racism….,
It’s a slur and a swear….,
The Culture Of Racism….! ! !
Can’t turn your back….,
On the Culture Of Racism….,
Or you’ll feel the whack…,
Of the Culture Of Racism….! ! !
It’s hard to believe….
The Culture Of Racism….,
That’s why we all grieve….,
The Culture Of Racism…! ! !
We must face the facts….,
On the Culture Of Racism ….! ! !
Cause we’ve seen the attacks…..,
Of the Culture Of Racism….,
It follows us all…,
The Culture Of Racism….,
But we must stand tall….,
Against the Culture Of Racism….! ! !
Can we control or stop it….,
As long as it’s been livin’….? ? ?
That’s the priceless question….,
On the Culture Of Racism…! ! !
poem by Trade Martin
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It's a struggle for every young Black man. You know how it is, only God can judge us.
quote by Tupac Shakur
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Only The Good Die Young
The demon in your mind will rape you in your bed at night
The wisdom of ages the lies and outrages concealed
Time it waits for no man
My future is revealed
Time it waits for no man
My fate is sealed
If I cancel tomorrow the undead will thank me today
Fly in the space of your prophets I mock your morality plays
The moon is red and bleeding
The sun is burned and black
The book of life is silent
No turning back
Only the good die young
All the evil seems to live forever
Only the good die young
All the evil seems to live forever
Only the good die young
Only the good die young
Mistery madman a victim of cruel charade
Some innocent pawn in an end game one more stalemate
Is death another birthday?
A way to kiss your dreams goodbey?
Do the undead live within us?
And look through our eyes?
Walking on water are mirarcles all you can trust
Measure your coffin does it measure up to your lust
So I think Ill leave you
With your bishops and your guilt
So until the next time
Have a good sin
Only the good die young
All the evil seems to live forever
Only the good die young
All the evil seems to live forever
Only the good die young
Only the good die young
Seven deadly sins
Seven ways to win
Seven holy paths to hell
Seven downward slopes
Seven bloodied hopes
Seven are your burning fires
Seven you desires...
song performed by by Iron Maiden
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Mandela Day
It was 25 years they take that man away
Now the freedom moves in closer every day
Wipe the tears down from your saddened eyes
They say mandelas free so step outside
Oh oh oh oh mandela day
Oh oh oh oh mandelas free
It was 25 years ago this very day
Held behind four walls all through night and day
Still the children know the story of that man
And I know whats going on right through your land
25 years ago
Na na na na mandela day
Oh oh oh mandelas free
If the tears are flowing wipe them from your face
I can feel his heartbeat moving deep inside
It was 25 years they took that man away
And now the world come down say nelson mandelas free
Oh oh oh oh mandelas free
The rising suns sets mandela on his way
Its been 25 years around this very day
From the one outside to the ones inside we say
Oh oh oh oh mandelas free
Oh oh oh set mandela free
Na na na na mandela day
Na na na na mandelas free
25 years ago
Whats going on
And we know whats going on
Cos we know whats going on
Words and music : simple minds reproduced without permission
song performed by by Simple Minds
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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When The Stone Begins To Turn
I come here for dr. king
Who gave the people a precious thing
He found a light in the darkest hour
And the strength for speaking truth to power
And in the years since they shot him down
You see changes that once were a dream
Begin to come around
When the walls have begun to crumble
When the laws have begun to burn
When the winds is singing freedom
When the stone begins to turn
And I come here to praise mandela
And to send this message to his jailer
Your walls may hold the man inside
But theyll never ever hold back the tide
cause in the years youve shut him away
A generation has grown where he stood
Theyre gonna see the day
When the walls have begun to crumble
When the laws have begun to burn
When the wind is singing freedom
When the stone begins to turn
We come here to sing for freedom
And to send our voices to the ones who need them
Freedom for south africa
And justice for nelson mandela
cause in the years theyve shut him away
A generation has grown where he stood
Were gonna see the day
When the walls have begun to crumble
When the laws have begun to burn
When the wind is singing freedom
When the stone begins to turn
song performed by by Jackson Browne
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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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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Happy Birthday
You know it doesnt make much sense
There ought to be a law against
Anyone who takes offense
At a day in your celebration
cause we all know in our minds
That there ought to be a time
That we can set aside
To show just how much we love you
And Im sure you would agree
It couldnt fit more perfectly
Than to have a world party on the day you came to be
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
I just never understood
How a man who died for good
Could not have a day that would
Be set aside for his recognition
Because it should never be
Just because some cannot see
The dream as clear as he
That they should make it become an illusion
And we all know everything
That he stood for time will bring
For in peace our hearts will sing
Thanks to martin luther king
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Why has there never been a holiday
Where peace is celebrated
All throughout the world
The time is overdue
For people like me and you
Who know the way to truth
Is love and unity to all gods children
It should never be a great event
And the whole day should be spent
In full remembrance
Of those who lived and died for the oneness of all people
So let us all begin
We know that love can win
Let it out dont hold it in
Sing it loud as you can
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Ooh yeah
Happy birthday...
We know the key to unify all people
Is in the dream that you had so long ago
That lives in all of the hearts of people
That believe in unity
Well make the dream become a reality
I know we will
Because our hearts tell us so
song performed by by Stevie Wonder
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Good Old Days
I remember the good old days.
The days when a black man such as myself could not even look at a white woman. Remember what happen to Emmett Till because he did.
Yeah the good old days
When a hard working woman named Rosa Parks got arrested
Just because she refused to get up and give a white man her seat.
The good old days
was when a group of men could burn down a of place worship
And kill four little black girls.
The good old days
When a man like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
got killed only because he had a dream.
I often hear people saying I miss the good old days.
But from my perspective those good old days
was not that good after all! !
Forever Young
(r. stewart/j.cregan/k.savigar)
May the good lord be with you
Down every road you roam
And may sunshine and happiness
Surround you when youre far from home
And may you grow to be proud
Dignified and true
And do unto others
As youd have done to you
Be courageous and be brave
And in my heart youll always stay
Forever young, forever young
Forever young, forever young
May good fortune be with you
May your guiding light be strong
Build a stairway to heaven
With a prince or a vagabond
And may you never love in vain
And in my heart you will remain
Forever young, forever young
Forever young, forever young
Forever young
Forever young
And when you finally fly away
Ill be hoping that I served you well
For all the wisdom of a lifetime
No one can ever tell
But whatever road you choose
Im right behind you, win or lose
Forever young, forever young
Forever young ,forever young
Forever young, forever young
For, forever young, forever young
song performed by by Rod Stewart
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A freedom fighter
A respected man he is
A loved man he is
For his doings, for what he did
Yes he is a freedom fighter
He never stood and watched
He was part of them
Those who had hearts for the innocent people
But in the end he was a leader
He was the one who was punished
Punished for the wonderful things he did for the people
He did them with his power
Now he earn the people respect
They love him he’s their hero
He fought for them
He fought for people’s freedom
Yes he is our freedom fighter
He never gave up no matter what
They never got him down no matter what they did
He stayed away from home and family
Living in locked house for 27 years
Almost his man time in Roben Island
He is South Africa’s father
He is Africa’s father
He is the world’s father
He is every one’s father, a loved father
He is our freedom fighter
A special dedication to:
Mr. Nelson Mandela
Tata
poem by Alancia Lebogang Mogorosi
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I Have A Dream Of An Africa
I have a dream of an Africa
A united Africa!
Self sustaining and self reliant
Able to produce
Anything out of nothing
And trade within her-self
And with the world at large
A proud Africa
Of a civilizing people
Like our Egyptian, and
Olmec ancestors…
I dream of an Africa that
Patrice Lumumba died for
Kwame Nkrumah stood up for
Nelson Mandela paid dearly for
An Africa of Haile Selasie I
An Africa of GIANTS
Where men are great, proud and dignified
An Africa of Cleopatra, Maqeda, Nzingha and Nyamazana
An Africa without genocide, starvation, or disease
An Africa, without dictators!
A free Africa
Taking on the driver’s seat
Teaching without enslaving-
To show the world it’s possible!
No refugees because
All the Children belong!
An Africa, a Mother Land
Where an elephant
Feeds from the Elephant Tree
And the gorilla roams free
And the lion goes to hunt
If he wants
Because God loved him to!
An Africa that
Bhambatha (ka Mancinza)
Sobukwe (Robert)
Fanon (Frantz)
Biko (Steve)
X (Malcolm)
Garvey (Marcus)
And Douglas (Frederick)
Would look at and smile about
I have a dream of an Africa
But from this one, I shall not wake
Because I dream standing up
My eyes looking out
My arms open wide
To the ones, mad enough, to dream the same-
poem by LLM Mbatha
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