i
If it were not so sad it would be funny
All of the racial changes we go through
The “hunky” running from the “jungle bunny”
And the bunny dying to pursue
Why do we not now try changing our course
Why stay involved in an eternal bicker
Why do we not just file for a divorce
So I won’t be around being your “nigger”
That whole thing about chattel slavery changed
And we got all involved with civil rights
However since we still remain estranged
Why not just call a halt to civil fights?
To see a sour relationship improve
All you need do is help my family move
ii
We do not spoil for yet another quarrel
And we sincerely promise, no hard feelings
If we can have a substantially moral
Termination of our American dealings
Help us get settled in a new location
Where we are not on each other’s last nerve
Where we can exchange visits on vacation
While each enjoys the freedom we deserve
There are enough of us who have the know-how
To fend for ourselves far away from here
It is time we allow ourselves to grow now
Allow disagreements to disappear
Imagine how delightful life might be
If from the other each of us was free
iii
The moment chattel slavery concluded
Was not a time when we could steal away
By then, colonialism had intruded
On Africa, so here we had to stay
Besides it has required generations
To try to bring our people up to speed
But now the rate of our acceleration
Is at the point where it should be agreed
That we just relocate to our own space
Since neither wants us living off of you
We need to find a region to embrace
Where we receive respect that we are due
A new life in a new land we should try
Where we can cross our hearts and hope to die
iv
Of course some of us feel quite patriotic
And that has served to ease some of our pains
For patriotism, a great narcotic
To counteract our injuries from old chains
A shot of American patriotism
Inspiring a warm feeling for the flag
Can deaden hurts delivered by racism
Covering the fact this country is a drag
If you can focus simply on “Old Glory”
It may not seem important as you do
That you are unaware of the whole story
Of what America has put us through
So deep is your American conviction
Your patriotism is a “drag addiction”
vii
How did Dr. King come by the notion
There ever was a righteous, noble creed
To which America owed its devotion
“I had a dream” Oh, yes he did indeed
For he learned of no “creed” in Alabama
Nor could scholastic wonders Morehouse wrought
Have ever inspired such nocturnal drama
What did he study to inspire the thought
“I had a dream America will rise up”?
It sounds as if he bought in on a hoax
To which by now it is high time we wise up
There was to be no rise for colored folks
The facts of history confirm that that
Sounds just like something found where cattle’s at
viii
The hoax is one that has been perpetrated
To make us believe we were “Free At Last”
Our “freedom” though was highly overrated
Soon over us a “civil net” was cast
That locked us under U. S. domination
A more insidious version of captivity
Confusing us with further “trickeration”
(Which is an all American activity)
It has been made to seem we have a shot
At someday being treated fair and square
When constitutionally we cannot
Slaves are ineligible for a share
The Masterson will not release his hold
And we had better do as we are told
ix
What made Paul Robeson think a melting pot
Was what America was meant to be?
Whatever made him want to cast his lot
With those from whom his people used to flee?
To us the founding fathers were white knaves
And Lincoln reluctantly set us “free”
What recommends people who held us slaves
What change of their nature can we foresee
What cunning could persuade a brilliant fellow
Of Paul Robeson’s immense capacity
That here he could be more than Moore Othello
The hero of a racist tragedy?
Eventually, Paul Robeson, too fell victim
To all the facist forces that out-slicked him
x
Remarkably Condoleezza and Colin
Have now become spokespersons for the same
Men by whose ancestors theirs were stolen
In what has turned into a bizarre game
With bondsmen operating the plantation
(Which, philosophically, seems incorrect)
The kidnap victims feel an obligation
To the kidnappers interests they protect
By means of some fantastic trickeration
Their destinies have them both cast in roles
Revolving with the big wheels of the nation
The same old “Master-son” at the controls
Descended from those who enslaved black folks
How rolls the master wheel, with slaves as spokes?