[an error occurred while processing this directive]



	<CENTER><A href="/ideas/poetry.shtml"><IMG SRC="/images/t-poetry.gif" ALT="" WIDTH="495" HEIGHT="35" border=0></A></CENTER></FONT>
<PRE>

Poem for the People

The progress-filled freeway that we're driving down 
Was once Detroit's own Chinatown 
And in search of a community to kill 
Their insistence was to choose a path of least 
resistance 

And the plants that originated 
that American Car mold 
Is no longer located north of Lynch Road 
Cause yankin' his throat isn't as subtle enough 
As a "boys will be.. ." bar brawl 
that may have gotten too rough 

So hop in your gas-guzzlers today 
and see U.S. racism in your Chevrolet 
There's no room in the trunk to enjoy civil liberties
But there's a spacious back seat 
for denying atrocities 
Plenty of fuel left to cruise 
Lookin' for this cat Vincent to bruise 
But the pain that was inflicted alcohol can't excuse 

Strolling by the cops they said, "Fuck the police" 
A rare phrase from white racists 
on Detroit city streets 
NWA might have had something to say 
'Bout using that anthem 
in a counter revolutionary way 
Then they pay this black cat twenty bucks 
To help butcher his fellow brother 
Cause divide and conquer has become a commodity

Malcolm laughed at a sign in a Chinese store 
To keep the rioters from knocking down the door 
Sign said "Me colored too" 
Malcolm laughed like it wasn't true 
He shoulda said, "Brother you is colored too 
And this a mutual struggle
That we need to see each other through 
My people, my people, we gotta fight to unite
Cause we rarely pause 
'cept for our own individual cause 

Lily, tell us again how we drag the same dreams 
behind us 
Hide the same secrets in shame 
Lily raise those fists and fight through the
nightmare storm front 
Shower us with a rain or tears 
and we'll make waves
Wash away our reluctance to do
To take action to fulfill... 
Take back our right to live and breathe
And buy a fuel-efficient automobile 

It's not fair? Damn straight it's not fair!
And a thousand phrases
could not explain it more fully



How much of your culture 
do you have to compromise 
How American do you have to be 
To be treated fairly in this society'? 
WKRP needs to adjust its frequency 
'Cause three times these killers went away clean 
Like some judicial trinity scheme 
The father, the stepson, and the holy judge 
All three escaped this tragedy without a smudge !. 
 
Just tell his momma that his death was preordained 
Then think of new ways you can stain God's name 

 It's the same jive game, played anew 
Where the only victim in the game is you 
It may be true 
If ignorant is what you're looking to stay 
Then you won't see the revolution 
that's headed your way 
You won't have a prejudiced word left to say 
Because your time is up and our time 
Our time is today

</pre>


	
	</td></tr>
	</table>

</TD>
<TR>
	<TD colspan=2>
		<center><FONT size=-1>
		<P>
		<hr>
		<hr>
		[<A HREF="/place.shtml">The Place</A>]
		[<A HREF="/ideas.shtml">Ideas</A>]
		[<A HREF="/programs.shtml">Programs</A>]
		[<A HREF="/network.shtml">Network</A>]
		<BR>
		[<A HREF="/admin/contact.shtml">Contact Us</A>]
		[<A HREF="/admin/about-us.shtml">About Us</A>]
		[<A HREF="/admin/search.shtml">Search</A>]
		[<A HREF="/admin/get-involved.shtml">Get Involved</A>]
		<BR><HR width=50%>
		
		The Boggs Center, 3061 Field St., Detroit, MI 48214

</font></center>
		</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

</BODY>
</HTML>