A Taste of Poetry...

ASSUME THE POSITION

Assume the position

From the moment you emerged

Cryin’ as though you already knew

That you might be exchanging

One temporary confinement

For another.

Being black, being male

Totally out of your control

But you came anyway…

 Assume the position

That being black and poor

And stayin’ in the “hood”

While your mamma’s prayin’

And she should.

Though she done all she would,

Not knowing that she could

Question

Why you were left back and put in that “special class”…

when you could read the cereal boxes at age two.

But you…

 

Assume the position

Peering out of half-lidded eyes

As you stand on the corner

cutting class with the guys

For the fifth time

One week into the semester.

Pants hung low

For reasons you don’t know;

Ask James…he’s out on probation this time.

 

Assume the position

You with indignant stares

Why, how would they dare

Pull you out of the lineup

Flying friendly first class

To stand spread eagle.

And we smile.

‘cause it’s you this time

being defiled while profiled

But…

you assumed your position.

 

Assume the position

That conspiracy’s real,

Reparation won’t heal

And they aren’t gonna

give it to you anyway.

‘Least not without a fight.

No forty acres,

But sixty percent of those

back on the plantation

Look like you.

 

Assume the position

That you are the smarter --

With knowledge it’s harder

To put you in that cage

they keep building for you,

While they sell you to the highest bidder

As cheap labor.

 

Assume the position

That before things get right

You must change your fight

To a level playground.

With zero tolerance for those

 who make excuses

For the deliberate lack of knowledge.

Ignore – ance is not bliss.

 

Assume the position

That the choice is yours

To get down on all fours  

Or stand on two feet

Be a man – not my “nigga ”

‘Cause you become his

Every moment you allow him to

Define you.