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It’s a long way
from the cotton field
to the White House---
like journeying to the moon
and safely making it back.
So they made fun of us
as if we were Mickey Mouse---
huge white eyes, tap dancing shoes
and ears big and black.
Political gains
have proven not
to bring much power---
only got the vote
as a historical footnote.
If new gains bring
us no flowing economic shower,
we’re headed for the bowels
of a speedy space slave boat.
Over the decades
wonderful strides have been made;
and in many arenas
we’ve gained our rightful place;
but while segregation waned,
degradation hung tight and stayed;
and though we came in first
we still lag behind in the human race.
So to get to the coveted place
where we know we ought to be,
we must meet today’s challenge
with a new methodology.
So listen children and hear what I say:
tomorrow belongs to those
getting it together today.
