An old head approached us – “Are you still slaves?” is what he asked us.
I said the masters of my ancestors won’t reenact the past and attack us.
You weren’t expecting that answer, but for me to overreact to
A questions out of evidence as the relevance doesn’t attract us.
You see, the future is flying as you eyeing the sky because it outlasts us.
Education for most is a winged zebra that has flown past us.
The future is a mystery probably filled with misery
As memories of today fade into the dark abyss of history.
No noose I choose to place around my heart. Our lives are taken in stride.
Any man can kill, but it is suicide by letting him break your pride.
For you to close your eyes for eleven months and then blame what happened
On what happens is disrespectful to your future, my present, and their past
And don’t act like you don’t. I won’t hold my words.
I will spark revolution in this institution and reroute the dreams being deferred
By lack of education, this added absence of a drive to gain knowledge,
And the increasing number of black men quitting after their first semester of college.
Stop blaming the white man, you need to blame yourself.
Stop holding out your hands for help, and start helping yourself.
Place ignorance high on these shelves and let the dust collect
While I correct your direction and redirect your respect.
The old man shot back at me and stated the essence
Of why ask that question not expecting us to have learned the correct lessons.
He said I embody the past and he will present the future
And If I’m willing to convey this openly, I’m giving a blessing
To the millions of stories currently being created and based
On currency, chains, cars, ghetto militaries, and bass.
I said the truth is that the ruthlessness of the souls
Don’t pay attention to the detail as we retell their woes.
Their mind states are constantly addin’ us
To percentages and as I write these words, they don’t realize they are the main characters.
But, if you believe there is a chance, I’ll provide the pages to the book
And hope they release the stereotypes and take a look.
