Black, Gifted, and Proud

By DB

Since I’m Black and considered 1/3 of a man
They feel I can only relate to crime
My physical imprisonment is a tactic
To conceal thoughts produce by my creative,
Innovative strength of mind
I’m united as one man
& hope my Brothers and sisters will unite as one Klan
Stripped of our nationality and culture
Only to become ancestors to no land
My pigmentation is a pig temptation
To annihilate our race and uplift America
To a white man nation
The truth is basic
Only seek by those willing to see
If you choose to face it you’ll learn
What seem to still be confusing to me
One nation under God
Was facilitated by a façade
To weaken our defenses from simply
Oppressing the odds
Now who’s in charge
The last decision
Is OURS
As a whole we must proclaim
We’re Black, Gifted and Proud.

2 Comments

  1. Catherine Davis on November 15, 2017 at 8:10 PM

    Wow! This is a musical poem with a powerful punch. It really expresses the frustration of experiencing prejudice in a very moving way. It’s very important to keep writing poetry – especially now, when our country needs to hear from people like you. thank you for sharing this! You have creativity and a voice that needs to be heard. I will share your poem with some people that need to understand life from someone else’s perspective. I hope that writing brings you peace of mind. I look forward to reading more of your work.

  2. Sarah S on November 28, 2017 at 6:02 PM

    I LOVE this poem. What a strong, powerful message for the “Black, Gifted and Proud” to stand up and fight against systematic, institutionalized racism and oppression. I have never seen the word “Klan” used except in relation to the KKK, so I think it’s subversive and brilliant to use it the way you did to describe a united Black community. My other favorite lines are 1) “My pigmentation is a pig temptation”– this plays with language and lays bare police brutality all at once. And 2) “One nation under God/Was facilitated by a facade”– excellent and so true. America was founded on genocide and slavery, and until we come to terms with that, we can never be a truly great nation. “Now who’s in charge/The last decision/Is OURS” sounds like a rallying cry. Is it to become involved in politics? To make your voice heard? to start or join a movement? Or all of the above?

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The poets featured here are currently incarcerated, and many of them are in federal prisons far from home. Your feedback is a valuable source of motivation and connection to the outside community. Post your comments, feedback, and encouragement in the space below the poem. Messages will be passed on directly to the author. Comments may not appear immediately on the site, as our team processes them to mail to the poets.