I’ve been black lengthy sufficient.
Lengthy sufficient to know concerning the center passage
Males, ladies, kids, no matter age
Stuffed in a ship, like animals in a cage
Lengthy sufficient to learn about slavery
And the white man’s feeling of mastery
Inflicting human beings a lifetime of distress
Lengthy sufficient to learn about Jim Crow
The unjust legal guidelines, instituted, blow after blow
Crushing the spirit of these they refused to know
Lengthy sufficient to learn about lynchings
The ‘unusual fruit’ hanging from bushes
After enduring a myriad of indignities
I’ve been black lengthy sufficient.
Lengthy sufficient to see separate however ‘un’equal lecture rooms
Colleges with computer systems, others with, possibly, brooms
Main inevitably to unequal boardrooms
Lengthy sufficient to see the Civil Rights motion
Its impact on America barely a dent
Many brave freedom fighters got here and went
Lengthy sufficient to see housing inequality
Driving previous neighborhoods with no variety
Questioning will we ever have inclusivity
Lengthy sufficient to see the police neglect
These they’re sworn to serve and shield
As a substitute they put a knee on their neck
I’ve been black lengthy sufficient
Lengthy sufficient to expertise racial discrimination
I’ve felt it on a couple of event
One time as a baby on a household trip
I used to be ten after I jumped into the motel pool
The white of us scattered; (was I made from stool?)
And glared at me as if I used to be the idiot
Or when our household moved right into a neighborhood
Solely to observe indicators pop up on placard and wooden
‘For Sale’ indicators to get the hell out of the hood
The accomplice flag flew at my oldest son’s college
So what are involved dad and mom to do?
We dialogued a decision till all events had been cool
I’ve been black lengthy sufficient.
Hopeful or hopeless? Most likely extra of the latter
POTUS can’t even say the phrases ‘Black Lives Matter’
To some I’ll sound like a person filled with blather
I’m not, it’s simply that I’ve been black lengthy sufficient
To know that sufficient is sufficient.
By Curtiss L. Hayes
Current Poem of the Day Posts
Share your Poem
Do you’ve got a favorite poem you want to share with The South African?
If that’s the case, e mail data@thesouthafrican.com or WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 to get the POEM printed.
You too can comply with @TheSAnews on Twitter and The South African on Fb to learn the most recent poems.
Watch Movies on The South African Web site
Want your information rapidly?
Watch the every day Information in a minute video from The South African YouTube web page for all that you actually need to know.
In search of a shortcut to The South African YouTube channel for extra bizarre information?
Discover all of the movies right here for a fast illustrative model of all of the information you actually need to know!
Take pleasure in all kinds of movies from information, way of life, journey, sports activities, viral movies, and plenty extra!
There’s all the time one thing to observe right here!
Additionally, comply with us on Fb, Instagram, and TikTok whilst you’re at it. Get all the pieces you want to know on the go at your comfort!
