Refugees are talked about, judged, imprisoned, abused (to their face, in racist gatherings, in the hoards of naive and nasty social media comments) but rarely heard from. They have the most to tell about their experiences and migration policy. Their opinions and dreamings about life, politics, and humanity are important. Here, thanks to The Refugee... Continue Reading →
Children were sold
Frances Harper (1825-1911), who campaigned against slavery and helped escaped slaves, wrote this poem. She also often read her poetry at public meetings - seeing creativity intricately linked into real life and struggles. The Slave Auction The sale began - young girls were there, Defenceless in their wretchedness, Whose stifled sobs of deep despair Revealed... Continue Reading →
Kendrick Lamar rebellious gems
Here are a few gems from US hip hop artist, Kendrick Lamar. Though a bit commercial himself, some of his lyrics have found their way into the Black Lives Matter movement, with protestors chanting "We're gunna be alright!" when attacked by police at the conference in Cleveland. BLM: a bold movement that is influencing and... Continue Reading →
Bought and Sold
Smart big awards and prize money Is killing off black poetry It’s not censors or dictators that are cutting up our art. The lure of meeting royalty And touching high society Is damping creativity and eating at our heart. The ancestors would turn in graves Those poor black folk that once were slaves would wonder... Continue Reading →
what the cicada said to the brown boy
i've seen what they make of you how they render you a multiplicity of mistakes they have undone me as well pulled back my shell and feasted on my flesh claimed it was for their survival and they wonder why I only show my face every seventeen years but you you're lucky if they let... Continue Reading →
On borders: Dot and Dash
Between your people and my people there is a dot and a dash: the dash says you can't pass, the dot says the road is closed. And like that, between all the peoples: dot dash dot dash. With so many dots and dashes, the map is a telegram. Walking about the world one sees rivers... Continue Reading →
Just Another Drunk Black?
Just another drunk black is what u said, When u came n 'helped' him today, Your eyes were filled with a look of disgust, As you came and took him away. Who the hell are you to judge him, I ask, Do you think ur shit really don't stink? Just because he has dark skin,... Continue Reading →
resistance words 