PEANUTS OF THE PAST:
PREVIOUS COMMENTS FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY!

This week's poem: "YOUNG BLACK MAN"
Author: (pen and/or real name): Trend "VeraCity" Truesdale
Copyright notice: 1997
Poets Niche Group #4

YOUNG BLACK MAN

Expresso skin and chocolate eyes:
These are the visions that arise,
But there's more to him than we could surmise
or ever understand.

Painful hardships and stereotypes
Are known too will before his mind is ripe.
Who knows how many tears he has wiped
and wasted into the sand.

To tear him down until he is weak
Break his heart and bruise his cheek
Dim his soul, make his future bleak--
its all in the ultimate plan.

As society's scapegoat for every crime,
He's overpaid his price, over-done his time.
Yet, his presence remains sublime,
and with pride he continues to stand.

Little has changed from how things were.
Those remembering the past may cause a stir,
But nothing in life will ever deter
The soft, sweet, irrepressible,
lovable, determined, intellectual,
forever, strong and always powerful
YOUNG BLACK MAN.

--Trend C. Truesdale

~~~~~~

Comments from the poet(s):"This poem was inspired by the incidents that took place in Union, South Carolina concerning the Susan Smith trial where a black male was originally blamed for the kidnapping of the two young boys later to be found in John D. Long Lake. It's also written with the great respect that I have for black men from the struggles that have followed them throughout the years and the undying pride and love they still exude regardless of those setbacks."

Here were some of the comments received from the Peanut Gallery:

Commentary by: bams

I've been rather fond of all of the poems commented on in each of the seven MotWRC's so far, but I must say, I've been anticipating critiquing "Young Black Man" for sometime now. Strangely enough, though, I don't have a lot of words to say about it. Not because I didn't love it--I did, absolutely; Trend is an excellent, lyrical poet, and this is my favorite piece from her. It's just that I feel that nothing I say about it could illustrate how powerful this poem was for me as much as this: I've sent her inspiring message (fully intact and credited, of course) to all the young Black men in my family--including my own two sons. At a time when the Young Black Man in America is becoming an endangered species, it's nice to see someone speak up for them as she has.

As I thought it might, the strength of "YBM" brought forth commentary from some Gallery regulars. Pass the Peanuts, please...:

------ Comment submitted by: Suli

This is a great poem that shows the human side of a revered and hated human being called the young Black Man. I as a young Black woman truly appreciate this poets' view of the hidden plight that even the most well-dressed, well-carried, well- intentioned brothers among us must put aside regularly to make it through a day. God bless the beautiful Black brothers, even the ones who will fall from grace

------ Comment submitted by: Shaun Cecil

So far there is nothing of Trend Truesdales writings that I have not enjoyed. I really like the way that she puts images, tastes and ideas together to paint a picture...the very first line "Expresso skin and chocolate eyes..." Who cannot savor the image. Strong, very dark, (expresso) and the image of chocolate, inviting, sweet and melting (chocolate). I wish that I had thought of those tastes images. Yeah...the whole beginning then going into the rest of the story. I got lost in the images only to be brought to earth by the injustice and the pain. Man, what I would give not to have to live in a world that creates a need for words like these. Good job...

------ Comment submitted by: Chris Hare

[Trend], your words were spoken much too eloquently for just the computer screen. They should be written in the clouds for all to see. Though soon the poets niche will soon be on the tip of everyones tongue. This piece states the station in life in which the black man was placed in hopes that he would remain a sub-citizen. As you have revealed in the ending, we have and can overcome any obstacle. Though we are of simple stock, we are still a complex, yet lucid people. Hopefully, we can rise above what is expected and become what was never meant to be.

Final comments from bams:

My sincere thanks go to Trend for this powerful piece, and to Shaun, Suli, and Chris for their insightful comments.