Race Talk
There was a time I used to write a lot of poetry – its food for the soul and releases the rage. Here’s one I came up with last evening whilst resting my back.
Race Talk
Black face
White face
Brown face
Whose got the best face?
Race
Race talk
Black talk
White talk
In my face
Nigger
Looter
Banger
Shooter
Race talk
In my face
Fuck your race
Outa my face
Race talk
Till I am blue in the face
Categories: Poetry
Nice composure.
Hi there. I’m a fan of your blog — and a friend of Ethan Zuckerman’s. (I’m also an American reporter based in Joburg) I’m trying to track down a post you did last year on women’s soccer in nigeria. But I can’t find it. Do you still have it somewhere?
Many thanks,
Abe McLaughlin
Hi there. I’m a fan of your blog — and a friend of Ethan Zuckerman’s. (I’m also an American reporter based in Joburg) I’m trying to track down a post you did last year on women’s soccer in nigeria. But I can’t find it. Do you still have it somewhere?
Many thanks,
Abe McLaughlin
Owukuri, you surprise me with this.
I haven’t commented for awhile here (I’ve been indulging in myself for a bit). But I couldn’t let this one slide.
I’m digging your words…
Thanks Soul, much appreciated – but why the surprise?
It’s a nice poem. Can you explain the message in full so we all can get it?
I am convinced that, until human beings interbreed to the extent that we all look alike, there will always be discrimination based on skin color. Discrimination, segregation, differentiation are only human. It is normal to want to look for features that separate “us” from “them”, however ephemeral. No community can be formed without the exclusion of certain people.
The best we can hope for is that as black people in Africa and elsewhere start to become more and more successful, the word “black” will gradually start to stand for other things than “loser”, “low-life”, “lesser mortal”. As long as there are marked differences in the way we look or talk or what we believe, there will be stereotypes, and there will be discrimination.
Ever wondered why the vast majority of American leaders (Presidents, CEOs) are tall? It’s the effect of a certain hidden bias, and definitely not a systematic plan to discrimination against short people.
Whites are only being (positively or negatively) human when they do what they do that makes us mad sometimes. I understand that.
Seun – The message is whatever you want it to be!
Surprise is the wrong word.
I’m just really digging this piece, it;s straight to the point, blunt and strong.
In the end, everything is everything right?
I haven’t read any of your words play before and can I say it one more time, I really like this piece.
More power to you.
very thoughtful poem. perception is a mutha
I like this poem, Owukori. Few words but powerful meaning especially in the face of what is currently going in the States to my mind.
Golly Owukori, if we breed so we all look alike, what fun would there be in “people watching”?
My thoughts on this topic of different races, some people are made of love and some are made of hate. Even if we all looked alike, those who hate will find something to hate in others mostly because they hate themselves.
You can’t win. But you can care.
I love this site,
(signed Don, a humble Idaho redneck)
Cool, really cool…who woulda thunk it? Girlfriend has rhymes…
Food for thought.
A masterpiece indeed.