#Americans #Blacks
I know I am The Negro Problem Being wined and dined, Answering the usual questions That come to white mind
He glides so swiftly Back into the grass— Gives me the courtesy of road To let me pass, That I am half ashamed
I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh,
It’s such a Bore Being always Poor.
I will take you heart. I will take your soul out of your… As though I were God. I will not be satisfied With the touch of your hand
Down in the bass That steady beat Walking walking walking Like marching feet. Down in the bass
From Christ to Ghandi Appears this truth— St. Francis of Assisi Proves it, too: Goodness becomes grandeur
That Justice is a blind goddess Is a thing to which we black are w… Her bandage hides two festering so… That once perhaps were eyes.
Where is the Jim Crow section On this merry—go—round, Mister, cause I want to ride? Down South where I come from White and colored
I woke up this mornin’ ’Bout half-past three. All the womens in town Was gathered round me. Sweet gals was a-moanin’,
I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams
We passed their graves: The dead men there, Winners or losers, Did not care. In the dark
In places like Selma, Alabama, Kids say, In places like Chicago and New York...
I’m all alone in this world, she s… Ain’t got nobody to share my bed, Ain’t got nobody to hold my hand— The truth of the matter’s I ain’t got no man.
When a man starts out with nothing… When a man starts out with his han… Empty, but clean, When a man starts to build a world… He starts first with himself