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!

[Marc Marlon Villaflor]

Moving piece, I am just thrilled and amazed. I just wonder how other african american suffer this discrimination because if I look in many things from music, basketball,modelling,film ect. I find black people are superior. :) just my thought.

[Ni1408]

Oh I get it now

[Eddie Phillips]

LOL Yes I was a little slow in posting the second part. I wanted to show two sides of the subject. I also wanted to show how both sides can get mixed up in assumptions. Again thank you for reading.