Mile High
West of the Mississippi
Once the stronghold of the Sioux
A stranger swaggers by
His spirit glowing through and through
Inspired by a vision
A journey back in time
Where warriors were nurtured
And eagles soared miles high
A vivid apparition
Lodged deep within his mind
A people trapped in bondage
Reluctant witnesses to a tragic and staggering genocide
Voices in the distant
Wailing so profound
Until a silent whisper
Thundered from the clouds
………..“In the days my daddy wandered
Through concrete jungles
Thick with tundra
Vines of hate and blind resentments
Harvest tons of violent tensions
Clothes still soaked with perspiration
From crippling loads of wage-less labor
………. So master says…….
Dress your wounds and mourn your love ones
Hold on to faith and seek religion”…………..
He journeys back to the present
Focused, determine, motivated and inspired
Reaching down for the straps on his worn and dusty boots
As strategic social shackles stymies growth and desire
On each and every corner, every pulpit, and every soapbox
The onus of change is placed upon the victims
While the illusions of prosperity escapes the masses
The valiant are crucified and ridiculed for exposing the system
How do we repair the countless disorders that afflict us?
How do we heal wounds that have never been cleaned?
If we are truly citizens, are not all Americans responsible for our burdens?
How can we repair something that requires a national theme?
Our ills are America’s ills
Our failures are America’s failures
They are “the tragic result of slavery, racism, and segregation”
As so eloquently stated by Martin Luther King
This nation, built on the backs of slaves
Has a tremendous debt to its victims
Instead we have inspired legislation
For every other entity to manipulate the system
1.6 Billion in reparations to Japanese Americans
Casinos and Gambling right to the descendants of Native Americans
Over 3 Billion a year in aid to Israel
And Prison cells, institutionalize racism, and second class citizenship for African Americans
Our Pain is America’s pain
Our struggles are America’s struggles
They are “The tragic result of slavery, racism, and discrimination”
As so eloquently stated by Martin Luther King
West of the Mississippi
Once the stronghold of the Dakota Sioux
An elderly stranger swaggers by
His spirit glowing through and through
Inspired by a vision
A journey back in time
Where warriors were nurtured
And eagles soared miles high
A vivid apparition
Lodged deep within his mind
African people trapped in bondage
Reluctant witnesses to a tragic and staggering genocide
poem by Mustafa Marconi
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Don't Tear America Down!
Those who thinks America is finished;
Think again. Feeling dismayed that
You are not leaping ahead like before?
It is not only in America; worldwide, indeed.
America is not finished; it will be there,
Even in the dark hours of economic meltdown.
America will be there, for Americans are
Too proud, too strong willed to let
Their country go to pieces.
As their motto says:
'O Say Can You See! '
And, 'God Bless America,
Land That They Love! '
Americans truly loves America.
So, think not of a doom America
Think of a America of renewed hope,
Renewed love, and renewed faith,
For, if unbetold to you before,
God really loves America
poem by Winston Harding
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Spirit Of America
Spirit of america
Spirit of america
Spirit of america
The bonneville salt flats had seen some strange things
But the strangest thing yet was a jet without wings
Once as a jet it played in the stars
But now on the ground its the king of our cars
Spirit of america
Spirit of america
Spirit of america
Spirit of america
An airplane an auto now famous worldwide
The spirit of america, the name on the side
The man who would drive her craig breedlove by name
A daring young man played a dangerous game
Spirit of america
Spirit of america
Spirit of america
Spirit of america
With a j-47, a jet for his power
Craig breedlove had averaged four-o-seven per hour
Both man and machine had given fair warn
Theyd set a new record on that warm august morn.
Spirit of america
Spirit of america
Spirit of america
Spirit of america
Spirit of america
song performed by by Beach Boys
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Im Afraid Of Americans
Johnnys in america, low-techs at the
Wheel
No-one needs anyone, they dont even
Just pretend
Johnnys in america
Im afraid of americans
Im afraid of the world
Im afraid I cant help it
Im afraid I cant
Johnnys in america
Johnny wants a brain, johnny wants to
Suck on a coke
Johnny wants a woman, johnny wants
To think of a joke
Johnnys in america
Im afraid of americans
Im afraid of the world
Im afraid I cant help it
Im afraid I cant
Johnnys in america
Johnnys in america, johnny looks up at
The stars
Johnny combs his hair and johnny
Wants pussy and cars
Johnnys in america
Im afraid of americans
Im afraid of the world
Im afraid I cant help it
Im afraid I cant
Johnnys in america
God is an american
Im afraid of americans
Im afraid of the world
Im afraid I cant help it
Im afraid I cant
Im afraid of americans
Im afraid of the words
Im afraid I cant help it
Im afraid I cant
Johnnys in america
Johnnys in america
song performed by by David Bowie
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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End Racism
The eyes of hate stares down at you
with so much dispproval and it makes you
feel uncomfortible and unwelcome,
Racism is major and it has to STOP
its like you want afican americans to
be ashamed to dislike their color because
you dislike it.
Unlike other people who are
afaid to stand up for whats right
im PROUD to be a young black women.
Racism has been going on since 1955 and longer,
Does anyone care about how racism affects alot of people
and, how is brings some of us down as Afican Americans,
As Afican Americans walk down the street all you hear and see is people of other races throwing the N' word at them and fingering them.
it hurts sometimes to see people disapproval of black people but like my mom always told me what doesnt kill you, makes you stronger.
Its time for a change....
END RACISM
By Latishia Johnson
-f you read my peoms dont copy my poem and call it yours, because i work way to hard for people tp be stealing my writing-THANKS ALOT
poem by Latishia Johnson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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America is America
America is America the land of the free, born in
the hope of a new world created, amongst men
who believed the vision of liberty and a freedom
to live in this glorious world
as inspired by valued people, created by its natural
landscaping, bounded by principles that to live in
harmony with nature has come to witness the wisdom
of our dear forefather the dignity of each man, living
in a time of what has been bless by the Almighty Father
perfected by His creation
as the spring birth the summer breeze, and the night
comes after the day, the morning has bless the loving
people of America, where respect and understanding
welcome all nation to shelter, the cheddar of Lebanon
Oh! America, where every hope comes in the most
expected ways, come swift it away for the day has given
to you to stay, Nay! America leaves us with pain, our
hearts echo it joy to renew the eternity bell, where you
always there to lend your hand, Alas! America, your
the answer of our call, the unity that we almost fall, the
clings of every nation souls to live freely as everybody
wants to be free
America is America, the journey that always there, the
step that make us well and the nation that takes you there
Viva America!
poem by Antonio Liao
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The School System
The school system
was not designed for us
Mexican-Americans
america is not designed for us
in school we learn
about wars, time periods this and
that
in only two colors
white and black
racism comes in many colors
its just not between white and black
its more like human to human
there is racism between every
race
and Im tired of seeing media only focus on the two
how can I be motivated as
a Mexican-American when all
I read in class is about
black and white culture and
how they clash
the school sysem was
designed by whites and blacks
and not for us...
poem by Jeremy Rascon
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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America
My daddy told me about the old glory days
But I made up my mind about Daddy's ways
We followed King to Atlanta and got the slaves all free
And the ladies come out from behind the fans of gentry
America
America
How you've broken free
America
America
Was your destiny
I was at Daddy's bedside the night that he went
He whispered real sad "the south won't rise again"
They've all gone to Chicago to lose the slow accent
Leaving me behind wondering where we went
America
America
Are you losing your mind
America
America
Don't leave me behind
song performed by by Heart from Private Audition
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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America
Walkin' 2 the corner of Main Street, USA
Look at the good people, hear what they gotta say-uh-huh
All right
See a sexy girl with her long black hair
See a preacher man sporting Abercrombie wear-uh-huh
All right
Walk into a corner store
A man says, "This is what I'm fighting for"
[CHORUS]
We are living in America
We're giving in America
We're tripping in America
Everywhere I go, seems like Bush is on TV
We shed blood in the name of liberty-uh-huh
All right
The circus tents are dead, but the sideshow is doing well
The Osbournes and Anna Nicole are too freaky 2 tell-uh-huh
All right
Take the bad with the good
I wanna change it, but I wouldn't leave it if I could
We are trying in America
We're spying in America
Getting high in America
We are laughing in America
We're crying in America
We're dying in America
We are trucking in America
We are f**king in America
We are lucky in America
We are breaking ground in America
Just another town in America
We are breaking down in America
Take the bad with the good
I wanna change it, but I wouldn't leave it if I could
[CHORUS]
We are trying in America
We're spying in America
We're getting high in America
We are getting tan in America
We love Spam in America
Polanski's banned from America
10 million served in America
Have u heard in America?
We're crying in America
We're laughing in America
We're living in America
song performed by by Jewel
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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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
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A Word To An Affrican....American....Kid
the battery of the
song
'Racism....what is up man....racism
slavery...man.... segregation..'
wont hold...
it is dying....out....
and we do not sell
and make
these type of old stuff batteries....
anymore.
your only two exits....are:
first,
to travel to Africa from any direction.....
and don't ask me how...when....and where to have the money for the adventure ....just take a back bag and go....
your second exit....
i mean your real... future....
not African future....
not african american furture....
is to know how respond to any condition without filtering or stereotype...
cause we are all slaves....to our conditions, denials, and our setbacks....
so,
please kid,
plan to go once in your life...to north pole, south pole...Alaska....
go to China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Asia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, New guinea....New America, new places, new planet....just stop the old stuff...stop the denial and setbacks
and try only to explore....
poem by Atef Ayadi
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Remember The Holocaust
Mr. Johnson you silly little boy
Disregard those outrageous assumptions
The hands of time will continue to progress
So only you are to blame for your failures my son
That was hundreds of years ago
Circumstances are different now
Legislation has been passed
Racism is now a serious crime
Success awaits you my boy
New opportunities are breathing life
Each and every day
So forget all that non-sense about slavery
But for Gods sake, Remember the holocaust
I realize your ancestors where kidnapped,
Raped beaten and tortured
“Red drops trickling from the wounds of Ancient crimes”
What on imagination you have
The hands of time will continue to progress
Racism is now a serious crime
Disregard those outrageous assumptions
You were brainwashed with
Only you are to blame for your failures my boy
So forget all that non-sense about
Bondage and Slavery
But for God’s sake Mr. Johnson
Remember the Holocaust
poem by Mustafa Marconi
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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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.
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
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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It almost seems that nobody can hate America as much as native Americans. America needs new immigrants to love and cherish it.
quote by Eric Hoffer
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Ray Charles' revolutionary approach to music was also reflected in his politics and his deep and abiding commitment to Martin Luther King and the plight of African-Americans. Ray Charles may not have been on the front lines, but he put his money where his mouth was.
quote by Diane Watson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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An individual has not begun to live until he can rise above the narrow horizons of his particular individualistic concerns to the
broader concerns of all humanity. And this is one of the big problems of life, that so many people never quite get to the point of rising above self. And so they end up the tragic victims of self-centeredness. They end up the victims of distorted and disrupted personality. … These are the people who cannot face disappointments. These are the people who cannot face being defeated. These are the people who cannot face being criticized. These are the people who cannot face these many experiences of life which inevitably come because they are too centered in themselves.
quote by Martin Luther King
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Philadelphia Revised
The sad images of Philadelphia popped out of my eyes today
And I could see the streets of Philadelphia where the homeless sleeps
And freeze to death
While Politicians, doctors, Dentists, lawyers, teachers, and nurses get rich
Day by day
But the homeless freeze to death in the streets of Philadelphia and even die
But I have to ask all of you fellow americans where is your heart?
And doesn't charity starts at home first?
Don't you have anything at home that you could give away to the Homeless so they could have something either to wear or to eat?
Why can't we feed the homeless?
I can't understand you fellow Americans?
Please put yourself in their shoes for a day and try to picture what do they Have to go throw everyday
Is it right for the homeless to sleep in the streets and freeze and eventualy Die in the streets of Philadelphia?
Would you fellow Americans go few days without eating?
I don't think so
Why should the homeless that lives in the streets of Philadelphia starve?
Fellow Americans it is time to think about others and not just yourself Because others live In America just like you
Fellow Americans do you have a heart?
Fellow Americans did you ever learned to share what you have with Others?
Fellow Americans America is a sad world because we waste 98% of our Food at home, restaurants, and supermarkets
And all that wasted food ends up in the dump
It is so ashame and so sad at the same time
But the truth is that we are running out of food
And there is not enough food to feed anyone in America
But the cost of food keeps going up
Because we have to pay the American farmers who plants the food and Transport the food to the supermarkets
poem by Aldo Kraas
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A Man Of Faith-A Tribute To Dr. King
It was a time of unrest the sixties did bring.
A man of faith did have a dream.
As the Motown Sound played in many mother’s home,
Their sons were in Vietnam, where the fight by us would never be won.
Back home, the struggles for Civil Rights, we had set the tone.
I was a child when all this begin.
In a society blinded by discrimination,
Spawn by segregation.
It was difficult to understand.
Along came a man to struggle this hate.
A man of destiny was about to tempt his fate.
Years earlier, this man of responsibilities heard about injustice pertaining to a seat.
In the Deep South, his plights took heat.
Yet, he took it on.
His determination was strong.
The Country knew the start of Civil Rights was born.
A peacemaker was he.
It was nonviolence he did seek.
With the Lord on his side, how could he go wrong?
On April the 4th, his life was cut short.
An assassin’s bullet shot him surrounded by his cohorts.
Our pain was great.
Our revenge was our desire.
Before we knew it, the cities were on fire.
Needing hope and guidance to restore our confidence.
Needing wisdom and understanding so all of this could make sense.
We had to wake up and remember.
He stood for nonviolence or were we all just dense?
Over the years, the wars continued-the fall of regimes.
Do we remember the sacrifices of this man named King?
His journey did end but his glory found.
If we don’t remember, we are still trouble bound.
After all these years, I can let it be said.
Injustice and discrimination still rear their ugly heads.
For every night, I turn and twist.
I try to clear my mind a bit.
I know this world is still in conflict.
No interruptions were at my door, I can inform.
I sat alone on January 15,2007 and I wrote this poem.
I thought of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mr. Malcolm X, and Mr. Medgar Evers.
They fought for social change in their own way.
Man, how difficult it was for one of them to even get a holiday.
In 2007, new leaders emerged to carry us through:
Governor Deval Patrick, Mayor Shirley Franklin, and yes,
(Now President) O’Bama and Ms. Oprah Winfrey too.
However, let us not forget the work of Dr. King and all that it means.
For this courageous man of faith-he did have a dream.
Thank you God for sending us Dr. Martin Luther King.
poem by Marie WardAlonge
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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People have been killing because of racial differences since the time of Adam and Eve, but in this country racism has been primarily aimed at African Americans.
Racism Kills
Racist people,
Are the saddest these days.
Racist people,
And their ways...
Are fading away.
Hatred kills!
Chills.
And often excused,
As heroism.
Hatred kills!
And for thrills,
Often is defended...
As a pride.
No matter if it hangs...
Or drags alongside,
Insecurites denied.
Hiding the fact...
Their is jealousy behind,
Evil and often...
Masquerading eyes.
Black, white...
Brown or yellow folks,
Provoking attacks.
On others.
Or themselves!
To stab with a vengeance,
Behind a back.
To distort facts!
Racism kills.
And there is no sense in it.
Racism kills.
And the sense that's meant.
Racism kills.
Leaving minds incensed.
Exposing ills...
And evil wills.
Racism kills.
And there is no sense in it.
Racism kills.
And the sense that's meant.
Racism kills.
Leaving minds incensed.
Exposing ills...
And evil wills.
And evil wills to kill will end.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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