Juneteenth Day
By AW
No need to tell me
that I am free
As still I sit here
In these chains
behind bars
And still barred
From the liberty
They claimed to
Give to me and mine
For free back there
In 1865 or was it ‘63
Games played then still
Being played now
No need to tell me
that we’s free
As still that strange
Peculiar institution of
Enslavement, though
transformed, still
holds me
Chained to
that archaic
Beast called
Slavery.
I ain’t free
We ain’t free
Today on
These 21st
Century
Cotton
Plantations
On Facebook
In the NBA,
On Juneteenth Day,
And still:
The Black human being
Has no rights that
The white man is
Bound to respect,
On Juneteenth!
10 Comments
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This poem is a powerful critique of the illusion of freedom, showing how systems of oppression have only changed form rather than disappeared. I liked how you tied the legacy of slavery to modern-day institutions. Good job!
Wow, this poem is so beautiful and really makes you think about the struggle and the importance of Junteenth.
I like the “archaic Beast” language for describing slavery. Like slavery is a kind of predator that stalks its prey. Who are the prey?
This poem is raw and powerful. It calls out the hypocrisy of “freedom” when systemic oppression still binds people in different forms. The way it ties history to the present, chains to plantations, emancipation to social media, and capitalism. It shows how the institution of slavery didn’t end, it just evolved. Ending with the reminder that rights are still conditional for Black people on a day meant to celebrate liberation makes it hit even harder.
I like how this shows slavery as transformed, not gone. The repetition of “we ain’t free” really stresses that freedom is still unfinished, and the imagery makes the past feel present.
This is such a powerful piece — thank you for sharing it. I like how you connect the past to the present, showing that even though slavery “ended,” a lot of the same systems of control are still around, just in different forms. The line about “21st Century Cotton Plantations” on Facebook and in the NBA really stood out — it makes me think about how Black people’s labor, bodies, and culture are still being used for profit today.
The United States history is one of cruelty. I hope that as time moves forward, we as a society do as well. It feels as though there is a tug of war against progress. Equality is essential for peace, and I hope one day we find it. Thank you for sharing your pain, I hope someday there is no question on if we have freedom and equality in this country for all.
This is a very powerful poem. Your words both show the weight of history and how it still impacts us today. Your writing makes whoever is reading reflect on how there is still ongoing systemic injustice. Your poem doesn’t just commemorate Juneteenth; it challenges the reader to question the meaning of freedom today. That is what makes it so memorable and important.
This poem connects the legacy of slavery in America to modern day oppression. Even with the Civil rights movement and Juneteenth, freedom is still a illusion. Even after 100+ years white men still have more rights than African Americans. There has to be a change.
This is wrenching. I stopped and held my breath the whole way through. From one minority and poetry lover to another, I am sorry. I send you all my love.