THE RACIAL ARGUMENT (BLACK SIDE)

The view of a black family man

 

 

Why are some white people so racist? 
Why do they ignore the black man's pain? 
Why do they advertise only our problems? 
I wish they could see that we're all just the same?

I get up early every blessed morning. 
I work harder to make my own way. 
Yet, when I drove my expensive nice car: 
A white bigoted cop pulled me over today. 
I know he doesn't see me as a citizen. 
I'm a gangster, a criminal, a thing! 
Slavery and Jim Crow are all over. 
I'm just trying to live Dr. King’s dream. 

My grandfather was lynched in the '60s.
Racist killed him and burned down his store.
My family got $1000 in ceremonial reparations.
One grand after 30 years of being poor! 

Everyone in my family went to college. 
We all worked our way through school.          
Still, a year ago my younger brother was savagely beaten.  
A few bigoted cops confused him for some fool. 

They claimed he was a local drug dealer.
He had too much money and a expensive chain.
They beat him with batons on both his legs.

They didn't stop to my little brother was lame.   

I have a wife I claim as my princess. 
God lets me hold her close in my arms every night. 
I have four children who are all on the honor role. 
I teach them to discern wrong and right.  

I have never been a whiner. 
I have to be a strong and willing to stand.
I have to work longer and harder then others. 
Its what make me equal to you as a man.  
I don't look for your charity or favor.

I don't live for a free government check.
I work hard to support our country and community.
I am a American that deserves your respect!

I am not a angry race baiting black man. 
Even though my life in the ghetto was pure Hell! 
I have the right to demand that you respect me! 
Sometimes your ignorance forces me to yell! 

Many white Americans  see us only as complainers. 
Ignorance makes them see only what they want to see.
In truth I am a hardworking and faithful American.
Like you I want to live happy, honest, and free!

 

© 2013 Eddie Phillips

Author's Note

I wrote this in response to some hateful things I read about blacks wanting only to get handouts. I also get tired of every white person being labeled a racist. I wrote two poems. I tried to be honest from both sides and I didn't post a picture with either one looking angry and bitter because I am tired of that crap. Bottom line is that things are different depending on how you look at it. All black people are not looking for handouts! All white people are not racist! We just don't communicate and then we make assumptions. You need to read both to get the full story.

Reviews

[Amaya Sullivan]

I completely agree with your message. I am a black woman, and I am automatically labeled of having more than four kids from different men. It is very upsetting and frustrating at times.

You are right, we are not the only race who receives these stereotypes. Whites, Hispanic, Asian, and Indians receive it as well. What is more upsetting is when the word "racists" is misused. When one may be "prejudice" towards someone or something. It is even evident within our own race!

I am a very optimistic person, but this issue will never go away, ever. Our children will have to grow up in this world faced with the same social stereotypes. We have to teach them that through education is the only way we better ourselves so we can end these stereotypes.

[Eddie Phillips]

You hit the point of these poems on the head. I wrote both views to show the parallax in how we view race. We have to educate ourselves and share "truth" with each other. If you only view something from one side you are not seeing the full image. Thank you for reading and connecting with these poems.

[Amaya Sullivan]

I grew up in great private school where my mom worked as a preschool teacher in order for us to go at a discount rate and eventually free when I entered high school. It was predominately white, and I was the only black girl who graduate in 2004 with two other black men.

I completely get this! I am glad you wrote this!

[Zackery Alan Daley]

Racism is man made. We live off of theosophy theories from the 1800s, its all bullshit. Its all genetics people, there is only one race: human, and there used to be two types but the Neanderthal is extinct. I don't understand how skin color and cultural differences separate us so much maybe we need a common enemy to unite because we are afraid if we all get along there will be no wars to make money off of. I try to ignore racism but it has affected my life when my church leader told me I could not date a black woman let alone marry one. I asked why, he couldn't explain. (Mormons)

I think this is a great thought but I don't buy into race theory, and it may very well some day get me killed for being overconfident of other peoples sanity and kindness.

[Baby Ricochet]

People are individuals and should be viewed as such.

[sushobhan]

I sympathize for your grandpa's death....You have got a scrumptious streak when it comes to racists.....Always very interesting.....You're the master of it....Get dripped in the honor man!!!!!!

[Laminators Dubai]

giving good in any condition is the best way to live.
its deep and light at the same time.
thanks for sharing^^

[A. H. Pinley]

We're encouraged not to communicate about the issue. We are reminded that Black America is different from White America. Some how White America is holding out on the "Real" American Dream. Some how White America has withheld opportunity from Black America. I like you Eddie am tired of all the BS surrounding race relations. I believe both races want to be independent of the federal government. We want to she our children become great Americans and when I say that I mean rising to their fullest potential. The Black family has been destroyed along with the White family and welfare is to blame. There has been a wall erected between us, between all of us. PC, political correctness. As a society we are encouraged to divorce God, to live a rebellious life according to the hottest reality t.v. show. I ask you Eddie, where do most people get their assumptions from? What they see on the t.v. What they read in magazines. What they see on film. What they hear in music. What they hear from elected officials. I truly enjoy this subject for some reason. Reason being, I'm from Phoenix, Arizona and we're a bunch of racist over here because we want to protect our families from those that wish to take advantage of them. Here in Phoenix we have another battle going on with the decriminalizing of illegal immigration. Somehow enforcing immigration has become racist. Somehow pulling someone over for a traffic violation that turns out the individual is Latino, now law enforcement is racist. First place we need to start is strip those that use race as a weapon of their power and influence, then we can proceed strengthening our ties. God Bless Eddie!

[Rita L. Sev]

Yep, I thought these looked familiar. These were the first poems of yours I read, when you first came to WC. My original review still stands:

Eddie, I have just read both of your excellent poems, and I think you hit the perfect balance. Thinking and speaking in "absolutes" has gotten us nowhere. Racism, sexism, ageism, classism...all of it has served to divide rather than strengthen. I love that you used the same style and flow for both poems, adding an element of unity in spite of the seemingly opposing viewpoints. Your Author's Note hits it home - communication is key! Very well done!

These are exceptional poems, and I am so glad to know you through your wise words!

[Anand Sehgal]

A great sensitive write. Tolerance and respect are the needs of the hour.

[Robin]

A very compelling write and true on both sides. You are a very talented and honest writer. I look forward to reading more or your poems.

[h d e rushin]

I salute your courage sir.

All thoughout the so called intellectual divide with the 'third world' and then
later the 'cold war' with the Soviets and now the deamonization of the Arab
world, those countries always pointed to Americas great embarassment,
racism. And especially when America starts talking about another countries
human rights abuses.

I saw the movie this morning " 42The Jackie Robinson story", all the time trying
to remain emotionally symmetrical. But the synchronic linguistics of the movie,
(or for that fact, any movie about 20th century American history) the language
thats concerned with events existing in a limited time period and ignoring historical antecedents, shall forever be unsummetrical. You cannot tell the story of
racism in a persons life in a two hour movie nor an eight stanza poem. But
you did so in a nonsympathetic structure that only YOUR story can be told from.
And we are all the better because of it.

good work sir.
dana

[Rita L. Sev]

Eddie, I have just read both of your excellent poems, and I think you hit the perfect balance. Thinking and speaking in "absolutes" has gotten us nowhere. Racism, sexism, ageism, classism...all of it has served to divide rather than strengthen. I love that you used the same style and flow for both poems, adding an element of unity in spite of the seemingly opposing viewpoints. Your Author's Note hits it home - communication is key! Very well done!