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EMANCIPATED AGAIN

How many times must I be freed?
In this lifetime
In the existence of a dark skinned human?

I Celebrated life rich with customs, beliefs and traditions
I Fought those who stole me away from my life and loved ones
I Ran when I was hunted like a rabid wolf

I Celebrated declaration of objectivity
I Fought for menial living allowances
I Ran from evils that lurked under white sheets

I Celebrated rights by law and constitution of this land
I Fought for equality - to be seen as human - with heart and soul
I Ran from the fear of what I represented - strength, endurance, 
pride, intelligence and royalty
Yet perceived as never good enough

I Celebrated knowledge and the ability to learn - 
To be educated without visual or legal barriers

I Fought invisible demons - segregation, separatism, 
supremacy and the devil himself

I Ran from the drugs and violence that adds salt to the wounds 
of society and breaks my slumber

I Celebrate Life as an African-American - Rich with customs, beliefs 
and traditions blended with the freedoms that America promises. 

In English tongue I claim my existence to be seen, heard and free
to live as we continue to fight the destroyers of souls.

I Fight for peace and unity - Growth is inevitable in GOD's plan. 
He has attended to the needs of this world.

I Run from the corruption, immoral, indecent displays of 
everyday life that are embraced and accepted as

FREEDOM

Katherine A. Smith (c) ksa@ont.com

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estangement

keep the black man down,
downtown, uptown,
off the streets.
In the house, in the 
closet, but keep him . . . 
            	estranged

to others, to self.
Make him certain of his
uncertainties and 
keep the blackman down, 
in his place . . . 
                estanged

from a heritage of our past
from his world of the present
from the hope of a future and 
his estrangement will continue
to continue . . . 

	to keep the black man DOWN!

Saleem Abdal-Khaaliq (c) nsa@vgernet.net

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QUEENS

sista's got power
don't you know can't keep a black woman down
we just continue to grow
took our honor
tried to shame us
with rape
took our offspring
our skin, you do hate
made us process our hair
said our lips were too big
noses to wide
hips that clothes tend to ride
lies, all of it lies
that we knew in our heart
tried to take our culture &spirit
with that we wouldn't part
we are the creators
the daughters of kings
we will all rejoice
when freedom finally rings

Karen Roberts (c) KAYC918@aol.com

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DISTANCE IS CALLING YOU

as i have given you life,
my sprouts of sperm,
collect in DUST.

in times,
my life was pleased
with many.

thru life i seek changes,
Distant Pain
to end all
sufferings.

to be my only son
to carry my name,

BLESSINGS.

when i was unsure of my 
own possibilities, the  life
in you has given me
Peace.

you have cleared my 
sufferings and taught
me the BLACK MAN
how to love 
Unconditionally

our surroundings 
are different.  

i remember u once, 
the day
u came from your
mother's womb.
too young to know
me as your
father.

due to our present 
EXISTENCE
things have changed.

don't feel as if i don't
reach for u or
whether or not 
my love is pure.
only know 
that
our conditions r
to be APART.

you r my SON. 
i carry you in my
HEART.
and if by chance this reaches u, 
continue to know that i will live my
LIFE....
trying to be a PRESENCE in yours.

Phaedra Davis (c) fay@vgernet.net

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SMILE MY SISTAS

SISTA SISTA
Often you shall be called bi**h or hoe

But know. . .that you are neither
Or anything in-between
You my dear are nothing less then a queen

A BEAUTIFUL BLACK QUEEN

You shall be called ugly and fat
But don't trouble yourself over any of that
For on the last day of eternity
You shall be known as the backbone of the community

You are the greatest of all
Sisters, mothers, daughters, and wives
It is because of you that the true
Brothers, fathers, sons, and husbands enjoy their lives

Ignorant males disguised as caring men
Shall break your heart again and again
But through all your suffering and pain
If you stay strong and allow him
One shall come . . . who like the sun
Will chase away the rain

The media portrays you as being 
Money hungry and unintelligent

But you

THE BEAUTIFUL BLACK QUEEN

Are truly heaven sent
Never plot against another woman
You are all family . . . you must unite
When your sister is going through trials and tribulations
Give her support, help her to fight

Stand for what you believe in 
Many times you will feel all alone
But remember. . . God is always with you
Pouring down love and strength from his throne

THE BLACK WOMAN IS A BEAUTIFUL QUEEN
Remember that statement
Sistas if you ever get down I want you to shout it
YOU ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL BLACK QUEENS
NEVER DOUBT IT

Demeterius "Flite" Smith (c) demetes@clemson.edu

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PARTY LINE MADNESS: 1-800 BLACK GENOCIDE

In my hood I'm probably the quietest one,
but on the Party Line Madness I'm so and so,
I'm this one, I'm a lonely ass Atilla the Hun.

"F**k you bi**h", "I'll smack you hoe", "You
can eat a dick and your mama too".  The crime
of Black Genocide is what my people are calling
The Roach to do.

From New York to Cally -- Oh no!  Not the east
coast, west coast game -- I can't help from
feeling the white man put this Party Line Madness
in my community to tighten that slave mentality
reign.

Using pre-paid numbers, stolen credit cards and
three-way conference with pride.  If I can't do
it this way I'll find another way to dial
1-800 Black Genocide.

Telepersonal, Telecafe and the 8 Ball are all 
the same.  Another lethal injection into black
people's low self-esteem vein.

"It's just entertainment" -- "Well I call
here 'cause I'm bored", but no REAL black woman
should ever tolerate being labeled a whore.

1-800 Black Genocide, I hurt for other Party Line
dwellers -- folks with the lineage of African Kings
and Queens -- talking like they were born and raised
in jail house cellars.

1-800 Black Genocide a low budget addiction I must
kick.  This Party Line Madness could never define me
'cause I'm on some true cipher sh*t.

Mocha Cobham-Hawkins (c) Mocha1913@hotmail.com