WE'RE STILL IN SCHOOL

Children gather around, there’s a story to tell
Not based on fiction, or fairytales.
The scene takes place in a long ago pass
In a land of splendor filled with lions and grass.

Where hut-made villages stood here and yonder
Did capture the imagination of each visiting wanderer.
Hundreds lived near shore to catch their goods
Then traded their wares for food and wood.

No care or worry, for those sail powered ships
As each woman strolled with their babies on hips.
Did spring from the bushes a frightening sight
Where strange men of color, with ropes strung tight.

Their men were surrounded by some of their own
As, millions were stripped from lands they owned.
Hauled beaten and chained beneath huge smelly ships
No food to eat, or water to sip.

Those weak and dead were drug up top
Then cast overboard, into an ocean to rot.
With weeks to go and food running short
A captain appeared to count and sort.

Our bare-shackled families watched, their fate unfold
They’re cast into watery graves to lighten the load.
For those that survived, an ocean’s grave
Were herded like cattle then sold as slaves.

Without reference or names to trace historic past
Their present life would have to last.
Children clinging to their mothers were stripped and stole
Then sold to plantations to work the rows.

By the millions they came, the young and bold
As each strong male, met the gavel as sold.
From sun up to sundown, they survived the blistering heat
Lacking food for their bellies or shoes on their feet.

Both men and women worked, and toiled the rows
Each struggled to survive, nature’s heat and cold.
Yet, others worked the house and cooked in the kitchen
Later raped by Masters then dared to mention.

Children gather around we’re still in school
There’s much to tell about how we came through.
Took four hundred years of bondage and strife
Did take great toll, and sacrifice many a life.

Now, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation
Granting freedom for all slaves, throughout the nation.
The states grew divided, pitting brother against brother
As the crowds grew angry with hate for each other.

The masters complained about freedom in the land
Then Lincoln was killed by an assassination plan.
A Civil War tore our great nation in half
While thousands of men laid dead in its path.

The slaves were free, but feared for their lives
As they ran and hid from a lynch mob’s sight.
Thousands traveled up northwards, into a promised land
Later cursed by hatred as they tried to stand.

Still hundreds were captured, then hung from ropes
Swung burned and battered of dignity and hope.
With eyes gazing upwards towards our masters glance
Where lying eyes don’t stand a chance.

Our abolitionists stepped forward, onto humanity’s stage
Stood Garrison and Douglass still greeted by rage.
Now count our women, like Tubman and Truth
Gave freedom for all through an underground route.

Our people are creative inventors, though many failed to mention
How an intelligent black mind, could yield every imaginable invention.
Their patents were stolen, now history’s forced to name
Those worthy inventors robbed, of wealth and fame.

Like music…try some jazz, care for a little rhythm and blues
Would you care to wager, who honestly paid their dues?
Just envision creative souls, like Ellington, Basie, and Billie
They performed for all, while rendering your convention halls silly.

I’m inspired when music bears a gift to reach everyone
And, I’m not too disappointed, when my favorite song’s not sung.
Though it angers me more to watch, how accolades are earned with class
Only honor Earth, Wind & Fire, by some previous telecast.

We’re not afraid of set boundaries, that lay now broken and owned
When you walk our historic path, God sure smiles on Oprah, and blessed our Quincy Jones.
Now children gather around, I’m not finished, for we’re officially still in school
Permission for recess at this time would be strictly bending the rules.

Did you happen to mention the Oscars, and that coveted golden-man
The figurine, an industry shifts, when it slightly touches our hands.
Well believe it or not, we’ve earned plenty, and more than just a few
Just imagine the future academy, we’ll earn far beyond our just due.

We’ve come too far to ever return, to chains bound with no vision in sight
The battle’s not won, we’ve still much to learn, so let’s continue on with the fight.
Our prisons are constantly flooded with our brothers, sons and daughters
Yet, the welfare system states, we’re better off without their fathers.

Politicians claim that affirmative action, and civil rights are all out of date
Yet they change the structure of the Supreme Court, to blatantly state their case.
People died for our civil rights, and in God I place my trust
For without each of these, we’d be walking behind the bus.

Don’t talk and complain about riots, why not try an intervention before they start
Just grant equal share to all that exist, so we each can do our part.
People cry in vain about police brutality, and how it’s steady on the rise
Issue out loaded weaponry to racist individuals then later we’re surprised?

America’s fore fathers founded this great nation, on beliefs entrusted by God
Drafted a Bill of Rights, outlawing school prayer, then found God’s voice was robbed.
What’s wrong with silent meditation, for all those we treasure, and hold dear
Extend love and respect for everyone, without another Columbine lurking near.

Even response to natural disasters are biased, just ask the recent victims and hear
How our Commander and Chief, flew over their heads and never lent an ear.
These poor American citizens, trapped with raging waters at their backs
Do you think if it were a terrorist plot, would our Defense have stood for that?

After hundreds were drowned while they waited, for help before FEMA came
Nearly six months past, its devastation, fingers still keep pointing the blame.
All over the globe have poured millions, for rebuilding the cities still trashed
But in my self-conscience, I keep wondering, exactly who’s tracking all of that cash.

In the future months we’ll reach five years, since those horrific terrorists attacks
Found Saddam Hussein, crouched down in a hole, yet Bin Laden our military can’t track.
Those invented weapons of mass destruction, were later deemed never found.
Yet billions are spent, to protect a place, wishing Americans dead in the ground.

Come gather all my children, before our time is through
No time to waste, we’ve much to learn, for yet we’re still in school.