7 Dark Roses - Free Audio ebooks

15 PAGES

A BLACK WOMAN
SPEAKS TO
BLACK MANHOOD

READ BY THE POET AT THE MILLION MAN MARCH IN WASHINGTON, D.C., ON OCTOBER 16, 1995

Our souls look back

In wondrous surprise

At how we have made it

So far from where we started

Fathers, brothers, uncles

Nephews, sons, and friends

Look over your shoulders

And at our history

The night was long

The wounds were deep

The pit has been dark

Its walls were steep

I was dragged by braids

On a sandy beach

I was pulled near you

But beyond your reach

You were bound and gagged

When you heard me cry

Your spirit was wounded

With each wrenching try

For you thrusted and pulled

Trying to break free

So that neither of us

Would know slavery

You forgot the strength

Of the rope and the chain

You only remember

Your manhood shame

You couldn’t help yourself

And you couldn’t help me

You’ve carried that fact

Down our history

We have survived

Those centuries of hate

And we do not deny

Their bruising weight

Please my many million men

Let us lay that image aside

See how our people today

Walk in strength and in pride

Celebrate, stand up, clap hands for ourselves
and those who went before

Stand up, clap hands, let us welcome kind
words back into our vocabulary

Stand up, clap hands, let us welcome
courtesies back into our bedrooms

Stand up, clap hands, let us invite generosity
back into our kitchens

Clap hands, let faith find a place in our souls

Clap hands, let hope live in our hearts

We have survived

And even thrived with

Passion

Compassion

Humor

and style

The night was long

The wounds were deep

The pit was dark

Its walls were steep

Clap hands, celebrate

We deserve it

Jubilate!

A BLACK WOMANSPEAKS TOBLACK MANHOOD

READ BY THE POET AT THE MILLION MAN MARCH IN WASHINGTON, D.C., ON OCTOBER 16, 1995

A BLACK WOMAN
SPEAKS TO
BLACK MANHOOD