18800
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should
I…
hold
my head high
because…
I’ve
been given
the privilege for 28 days
to openly express…
I’m black and I’m proud!?!
should
I…
stand
erect and
feel respect
because…
I’ve
been told the
shortest of twelve months
is for us
should
I…
raise
a clinched fist
or shout
free
at
last
free
at
last
thank God almighty
free
at
last
for…
twenty-eight days
out of
three-hundred and sixty-five?
should
I…
listen
and applaud
speaker’s speeches on
slain black leaders and read about black inventors who
invented inventions to make
being a slave a little
easier?
should
I…
be
overjoyed
for…
a
slap
in the face
twenty-eight days of forced
recognition
after
400 plus years
of injustices and
a second rate holiday for a man who gave his life
for the sake of civil rights?
should
I…
be
thankful for
twenty-eight days of
positive black media air time
swallowed up by three-hundred-thirty-seven days
of EXPLOITATION?
twenty-eight days
twenty
eight
days
for…
years
of…
burning crosses,
trees with strange fruit and day after day
running home from school chased by angry white kids shouting,
“stay out our neighborhood ”
memories
twenty-eight days
twenty
eight
(whole)
days
when…
I’m
black
EVERY single day of
my life
no thanks
I’m
black and
I’m proud beyond
THAT
