My Relation to the Sun: May 2011

A New Declaration
By Rebekah A. Frimpong

Dear Mr. Obama,

Thanks for the news on Osama

but when will you start addressing the ills of the communities here in the US?

We play games with other nations, steal resources, declare wars...

but when will we clean up our own house?

Our land...before it is too late

I am asking the right questions; are you?

Yes, I am a revolutionary

because I want change

seek change to resolve and find resolutions

I understand the meaning of words and their power...

let us draw lines in the sand and declare victory

when all kids in the US get a good free education

when college tution rates don't put scholars in debt

when jobs are plenty and food not scarce

I am tired; aren't you?

Constantly shocked with news of terrorism, earthquakes, and wars

I fear my babies not yet born are crying tears for the dead in my womb

those suffering biting their nails and ripping out their hair hoping for a sign of good fatih

Mr. President Obama...I don't blame you

just hold you to a different standard

though you may be commander and chief

to the world and to many Americans you are a black man and nothing more

so speak for black men

challenge our youth to understand the meaning of freedom and its costs

take the words from the constiution that was used to wrap nooses around the necks of black men for years

and paint a new picture

Make change something that is popular and not taboo

I question you in peace

nothing in my heart hates you instead my heart is wanting to beat

like a drum

music to the ears of the youth

vibrating pulsing up spines and causing movement

this is a declaration of a movement

we stand in ignorance ready to point fingers

pull triggers and call each other niggas

Mr. Obama may I plead with you?

State a new address a call to educate, empower, and love

this fire can only be exstinguished with the opposite of hate

My Relation to the Sun