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!
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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. Please keep your comments encouraging; we recommend focusing on how the poem makes you think, feel, or reflect. 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.
AW, thank you. Thank you for talking straight with us out here, talking truth and understanding about your true lack of “freedom” so many years after you and all of your brothers and sisters were supposedly to have that. I’m focused now on you and all you have to and are dealing with these days, My thoughts and prayers are with you now ad will stay with you, I am wishing you all good luck in your days to come. Thank you again for sharing your feelings and thoughts with us.
Walter
Wow! Powerful! Even when we – African Americans – claim to be free, A LOT of us are not. Your situation shares your struggle, our shared struggle. Juneteenth for many only means a day to remember, and maybe even to celebrate, but we still have a long, long way to go. poet! You know this is true. Many more of us should realize this is true.
Keep writing to keep your mind free!
AW, I loved the raw truth of your poem!! While many find ways to celebrate Juneteenth, there can be this unspoken layer that you name in your piece: there are a lot of ways that we are still chained…limited…enslaved to a system not designed for our empowerment and truth. My favorite line was:
“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.”
Wow! That’s a bar, as the rappers say.
Again, I loved your piece and I stand with you as we face the realities of America.
Keep speaking your truth! Please keep writing!
Hey AW, I hope you know how talented you are! Not only does this poem reflect your experiences but the many of people around us. You’re right the system is flawed and is hiding behind a mask. Thank you for speaking up, we are speaking up with you too.
This poem really shows how freedom was promised but never fully given. It connects slavery from the past to the struggles Black people still face today. The lines about chains, plantations, and even social media and the NBA make it clear that oppression has just taken new forms. It feels honest and frustrated, like the writer is tired of being told they’re free when things haven’t really changed.
This poem is really strong and moving. It shows how freedom promised in the past still isn’t fully real today. The writer connects slavery to things like prisons, social media, and even sports, saying they can act like “modern plantations.” The repeating lines, like “I ain’t free, we ain’t free,” make the message even more powerful. It reminds us that Juneteenth isn’t just about celebrating freedom, but also about seeing how the struggle for true equality continues.
This is really powerful and honest. I like how it connects the past with today and shares such a strong message.
I really enjoyed reading your poem! I think it is so important to highlight the racial inequalities today, especially showcasing the duality of Juneteeth of having that celebration of freedom but systemically, and socially black americans still face extreme racism. Good Work!
This poem shows how freedom can feel like an illusion. It ties the past of slavery to the struggles people still face today. It makes Juneteenth feel bittersweet because it is both a celebration and a reminder that the fight for real freedom isn’t over.
Powerful words, thank you for voicing this truth so clearly.
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 carries a strong emotional weight and speaks with raw honesty. The opening lines immediately establish a feeling of isolation and rejection, drawing the reader into a world shaped by judgment and misunderstanding. The repetition of hardship through themes like racism, ego, and manipulation builds a sense of ongoing struggle, making the voice feel real and lived-in rather than abstract.
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.
This poem really shows how freedom can feel like an illusion when oppression just changes shape. The comparisons between past and present were powerful and thought-provoking,
This poem really captures how freedom can be an illusion when oppression just takes new forms. The comparisons between past and present were powerful and thought-provoking.
You speak in your own voice, from your own place, but please know you speak for so many people. I think someone else mentioned it, but the way you weave the past and the present is really personal and effective. Please know that your words have impact — that you speak for others that don’t have the words but understand the truths in your poem. I found this website by accident, but I will be checking in to see more poems from AW!
This poem is extremely powerful and motivating. It has so much meaning and factual knowledge involved. I loved reading every second of it. Keep writing!
This poem is powerful and raw. It draws a sharp line between past and present forms of oppression. The repetition of “I ain’t free” hits hard, and linking slavery to modern systems like social media and sports makes the message both timely and haunting.
This is a very powerful and emotional reflection on the illusion of freedom for black Americans, even long after the official end of slavery. This poem Brough great awareness to how structural racism still chains people mentally, socially, and economically.
This poem is a powerful and emotional reflection on the illusion of freedom for black Americans, even long after the official end of slavery. The repetition of “No need to tell me that I am free” and “On Juneteenth” deepens the sense of frustration and irony. Overall, the poem is a call for awareness and truth.
Your poem powerfully connects history to the present, showing how freedom can be an illusion when systems of oppression still exist in new forms. The rhythm and repetition drive home the painful truth that “we ain’t free” isn’t just about the past, it’s about right now. Your voice carries strength, truth, and resistance.
This Poem was quite an interesting read, especially given the ties between slavery and being in jail. It prints a clear idea of how the prison sentencing has ties to the race of the person who the poem is speaking as, while also leaving enough to the imagination of the reader for the mind to wander. Overall, definitely a good read to understand the thought process of people of color within the United States.
Your words used in this poem are beautiful and powerful. It really expresses the importance of Juneteenth.
This poem is beautiful. You’ve really captured the true emotions that many people are overwhelmed with during this point in history. It showcases a desire to move forward yet questions the true definition of freedom today. Thank you for sharing.
I really like how this shows the connection between historical slavery and modern systems like social media or sports. It’s a clear reminder that freedom isn’t just about laws, but about the structures that still hold people back.
I like how you connect 1863/1865 straight to right now — it makes the point that it’s not “history,” it’s the same system with new names.
I love how much this poem brings to attention that our country has not progressed in the way we have wanted. It truly paints the emotions that the oppressed go through. It is real and it is emotional.
Your poem is powerful, raw, and deeply honest. It forces the reader to confront the uncomfortable truth that freedom in name is not always freedom in reality. The contrast you draw between the promise of emancipation and the lived experience of the 21st-century Black American is striking.
This poem delivers a powerful critique of the illusion of Black freedom in America. Through repetition and raw, honest language, the poet exposes how slavery has simply transformed into new forms of control — from social media to modern institutions like the NBA. The tone is both mournful and defiant, turning Juneteenth from a day of celebration into a reminder of unfinished liberation. By echoing the words “I ain’t free / We ain’t free,” the poem reminds us that true freedom remains a promise still unfulfilled.
Hi AW! This poem is so powerful because it shows how freedom can feel incomplete when injustice still exists. You did a great job connecting the past to the present in a way that makes you stop and think. It’s a strong reminder that real freedom requires truth, respect, and change. Wonderful job, you have real talent!
Your poem is a powerful demonstration of the gap between the symbolic freedom we celebrate on Juneteenth, and the lived experience of racialized confinement. The imagery you create of chains, bars, and “21st century plantations” shows how systems of control evolve they don’t disappear. Your voice forces the reader to confront how unfreedom continues in the body, mind, and institutions in everyday life. You did a wonderful job highlighting how freedom is still unevenly distributed and how mental and structural liberation are still unfinished. This poem is honest, direct, genuine, and carries a true and deep emotional weight.
Hello, I agree with you that the concept of freedom and slavery is on a thin line of systemic oppression. While we no longer are enslaved the same systems still exists under new names to dehumanize us. Thus making freedom more of a metaphorical illusion than a true reality. One thing I would dare say is that it extends beyond black and brown bodies. We often associate slavery heavily to us but the reality is all Americans in one way shape or form are mentally enslaved. The whole institution of racism and oppression is built off illusionary power concepts that restrain people into idealistic bonds of thinking. We are all slaves to thought, dollars, time, religion, and thus trapped in a never ending paradox. more than physical chains, mental and psychological bondage remains the greatest challenge of the modern man. Here is a famous quote by Lyndon B. Johnson – “If you can convince the lowest white man he’s better than the best colored man, he won’t notice you’re picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he’ll empty his pockets for you”. This shows how people in this country use mental oppression to further corporate interest. The truth is whether now or then, they never wanted us to be free.
All that being said please remember free is a state of mind and the first step is realizing the bondage that holds you. From there its on you to unlock those mental chains. They can take your body but they cannot take your mind. Stay encourage, stay read up, keep writing and keep living. Everyday you are alive is an opportunity to free your mind. Remember what they hate most is a mind that cant be controlled not a body. Never give in and never put your pen down. I appreciate you and your work. Stay up!
All that being said please remember free is a state of mind and the first step is realizing the bondage that holds you. From there its on you to unlock those mental chains. They can take your body but they cannot take your mind. Stay encourage, stay read up, keep writing and keep living. Everyday you are alive is an opportunity to free your mind. Remember what they hate most is a mind that cant be controlled not a body. Never give in and never put your pen down. I appreciate you and your work. Stay up!
This piece is so honest and moving, and it made me think about freedom in a whole new way. I hope you keep sharing your work because your words truly make an impact.
Your poem is powerful and unapologetically honest. The way you weave history with the present creates a strong emotional impact that stays with the reader long after the last line. Your voice is clear, courageous, and necessary, and your imagery makes the truth impossible to ignore. Thank you for sharing such a meaningful piece—your writing sparks reflection, awareness, and important conversation. Keep writing; your words matter.
This poem powerfully blends historical memory with present-day injustice, showing how the legacy of slavery continues to shape modern life. Its voice is raw and direct, turning Juneteenth from a celebration into a reminder of unfinished freedom.
Wonderful.
This poem is powerful and direct. The repetition of reinforces the speaker’s frustration. By weaving history with the present they show how oppression evolves rather than disappears. The imagery is sharp and symbolic, turning Facebook, the NBA, and even Juneteenth into sites of reflection and critique. The poem’s strength lies in its honesty. This leaves the reader thinking, and more aware of whats going on in the world.
This poem delivers a powerful reminder that freedom declared is not the same as freedom lived, and its vivid imagery exposes how old systems of oppression still take new forms today. Your words challenge readers to reflect on Juneteenth not just as a celebration, but as a call to acknowledge the unfinished struggle for true liberation.
This poem hits hard because it draws a straight line from past to present, showing how systems of control have just shapeshifted instead of disappearing. The mix of historical references and modern “plantations” like social media and entertainment makes the point that freedom on paper doesn’t always translate to freedom in practice. It’s powerful, frustrated, and brutally honest about how unfinished the struggle really is.
This poem hits hard. It captures the painful contradiction between what freedom was promised to be and what it still isn’t for so many. The imagery of modern ‘plantations’ and lingering chains feels raw and honest, and the ending lands with a truth that’s impossible to ignore.
This is a very powerful poem, your words beautifully express so much emotion. Keep being strong, sending love.
Wow, this is a beautiful piece. I love the abstract and concrete references you include throughout.
This poem is raw and confrontational in a way that really sticks. The contrast between the promise of freedom and the reality you describe is powerful, especially how you connect history to present-day systems. The repetition of “I ain’t free / We ain’t free” drives the message home and makes the anger and frustration feel real, not abstract. It’s a heavy piece, but that weight feels intentional and necessary.
This is deeply moving, as someone who works to create reform within the prison industrial complex; I hope you know how many people on the outside hear you, how many of us think of you. I am so sorry that we live in a world that keeps us all so divided, and that this system that keeps us divided has hurt you so severely. You do not deserve to be made to feel so isolated and othered; nobody deserves that, no matter what mistakes we may have made, because we all do make mistakes, and I am sorry the world we live in punishes some for their mistakes much more than it punishes others. This is a beautifully written poem. You are very bright, and you have a gift for writing, as you can see by how many people have been moved by your writing in these comments. Thank you for sharing your gift with us by writing and publishing this poem. I won’t forget it.
This poem has a powerful message about how freedom can be promised, and you can be told you are free, but there is still racism and inequality present today. I think the imagery of bars and chains is extremely powerful. This is a very powerful and clear message!
I love the dual use of the word bar inn the first stanza and the impact of the bars. “21 Century cotton plantations” was a deeply gripping phrase that rips into the reader – loved it!
HI AW, Your poem is very deep and shows that you are struggling a lot emotionally. Wish you find peace and grounding.
This poem delivers a powerful and thought-provoking critique of freedom and inequality, using strong historical references to connect the past with the present. Its bold voice and vivid imagery create a compelling message that challenges readers to reflect deeply on justice, history, and the meaning of true freedom.
Dear AW,
This is beautifully written. The anger is controlled, the argument is clear, and the final image is unforgettable. This is the poem that feels most like it needs to exist in the world right now. It demands to be read aloud, in public, to an audience. It was written for exactly that! Keep writing!
Hi AW,
This poem really made me think deeply. I can feel the pain and frustration in your words. The way you connect the past to the present is very powerful. The line about still being in chains stood out to me, it shows that freedom is not fully real for everyone. Thank you for sharing something so strong and important.
This poem is extremely powerful and sheds lights on the faults in our system that often people don’t like to address because it’s “easier. so thank you; thank you for saying what others are afraid to. Slavery never truly ended it was just implemented into more “legal” ways. The unfair and poor treatment of African Americans has been a long ongoing issue. It breaks my heart that this is the society we live in. Continue to be brave and use your voice; it doesn’t go unnoticed!
This is a powerful, necessary, and deeply moving testament to the truth that freedom is not merely a word, but a state of being that is still being fought for. Your voice acts as a vital witness to the enduring, shifting forms of injustice, calling out the hypocrisy of “liberty” when so many are still bound by the echoes of 1865. Thank you for refusing to accept a comfortable lie and for honoring the long, unfinished road to true emancipation with your raw honesty. Your words command respect and stir the soul.
This poem really shines a light on how some love to claim that African Americans are totally free and safe in today’s modern world, when in reality the types of oppression being enacted is simply different. The way topics such as slavery and exploitation still exist in the world and how that relates to the importance of Juneteenth and continuing to work towards change was visualized very well in the poem.
AW, this poem deals with some incredibly important and powerful subject matter in a very emotionally impactful way. Your poetry has such a naturally flowing rhythm to it that I particularly admire, and I was deeply touched by your words. Your words have the potential to inspire change in the minds of many. Please keep writing!
This poem doesn’t let you look away. It draws a straight line from 1865 to right now and makes the argument that the chains just changed shape. The Juneteenth framing hits hard because it turns a celebration into a real question worth sitting with.
Hi AW! This poem speaks with so much strength and pain. The contrast between “freedom” and modern-day oppression is written so effectively. You did an amazing job using poetry to speak on injustice and lived experience. This is a really impactful piece.
“Juneteenth Day” shows the speaker’s frustration with being told they are free while still experiencing oppression and inequality. I liked how the poem connects the past to the present, showing that even though slavery officially ended, many systems still make Black people feel trapped and controlled today. The repeated line “I ain’t free / We ain’t free” stood out because it makes the poem feel personal and urgent instead of just historical. The references to prisons, sports, and social media also show how oppression can exist in modern spaces in ways people do not always recognize. Overall, the poem challenges readers to think about freedom more honestly and recognize that the fight against racism and oppression is still continuing today.