BROTHERS

Racism is a lie! We are all related. Embrace that.

 

Some said I was born wicked
They judged me before I began
Some said I was a criminal
Some don't see me as a man 

They claimed I was born of a harlot
My dad must have been a thug
To educate me is just futile
My "kind" is not fit to love

 

They say I live for lust
Futility is my place in life
I can't honestly raise my children
I will never be faithful to my wife

 

THE DEPRAVED BLACK MAN!
"A dark spot on God's plan"

All their stupid baseless lies
A abject animal since this country began

 

However...

I know I am blessed!

I know I am a man!

I hold no evil nature!
I was not born of sin!

I give all I have to family, loves, and friends
I have a will that still remains unbroken
I am a iron bar that will not bend

 

I will not hold on to ignorance
I will not validate their stupid claims
For we are all born with potential
I will never live in shame

 

Yes, I am a Black Man
It’s my color but not my creed
For we are all God's children
The fruit of Adam's fertile seed

 

So ignore those stupid theories
Forget your stereotypes and lies
For I am just like you my BROTHER
I live, I breathe, and I die

 

I pray one day we all see clearly
Before hate destroys us all in the end
For the truth is we are all BROTHERS
and have been family since time began.

 

© 2012 Eddie Phillips

Author's Note

I write poems on race from time to time. I feel that racism is a lie. We cannot continue to accept the lies and stereotypes. If we all embrace the fact that we are brother (and sisters) we will live a more holistic life.

Reviews

[Rita L. Sev]

OK - I haven't even read the poem yet, and I had to comment first on the tag line - "Racism is a lie! We are all related. Embrace that!" - Love it! And that adorable, tender picture! Ok - now to read...

Eddie, this is an amazing piece. Strong, proud, no judgment, laying it on the line - society has spouted the ignorance of racism far too long. Excellent poem, outstanding message.

[Ruthie Igunbor]

Eddie, i feel the passion in your work each time i read. It's one of those pieces that makes me appreciate the writers gift and strengthens my effrontery to defy the odds that have been holding the black man. I'm very glad you shared this.
Bless you!!
#I am a Black Woman!

[Antoñyo]

""""We cannot continue to accept the lies and stereotypes.""""

Intelligent people don't Eddie, it's only the ignorant that continue to feed the cancer in the fabric of this otherwise great country.

Thanks for the share.

[Baby Ricochet]

Racism is total crapola for sure

[Laminators Dubai]

thats a true meaning of brotherhood eddie...
thanks for sharing!^^
big hugs!

[ANTO]

Eddie, even within people of the same 'race' there is another disease like racism - it is called sectarianism and it is rife here in Belfast. It causes one person to treat another like a subhuman because they are born into a different religion and don't pray at the same place of worship. Religion, not the colour of skin is used as the lie.
I respect and cherish your writing Eddie particularly when you write like this, my brother.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we are all just people...no matter what we look like on the outside...inside is what counts.

and we are all brothers and sisters...some just have a hard time accepting that...and that is their loss.

really insightful poem.

[Clara]

Amen, brother. For we are indeed all of God's children.

One of the best poems on racism I have ever read.
Brilliant write.

[Akira Kodama]

While I dislike the religious affiliation in this writing, that is personal bias and has little to do with the quality. I agree that racism (or any kind of unjust oppression) is, to be frank, fucked up. Racism is usually just a manifestation of hate in a way that people see as "justified". Perhaps they don't see it as bullying, they see it as alienating a blight upon society. However, this is foolish. The amount of melanin in your skin does not make you any more or less a good quality person. Your actions determine who you are and how people see you (or rather, they should), not a color.

Although I was just stating my opinion instead of actually reviewing. This was well written and i liked the passion that went into it. I don't see very many writings nowadays that have that "f**k you, you are wrong" attitude and it's nice to see a change of pace. Good job Eddie.

[KaylasPoetryBook]

I really enjoy reading material that focus on race relations as well as unity. I'm actually writing a piece about my experiences as a woman of different ethnicities, so this definitely stuck with me. I always imagine a life free of ignorance and stereotyping, and it brings me joy. We are all family, and you did a lovely job as always spreading that message. Thank you whole-heartedly for sharing. Beautifully done (: