Henry Louis Gates arrived
To find his home locked down.
Cambridge police came Right away
With shackles handcuff bound.
He showed his ID with address
And picture on his card,
But his wrists were pressed behind him,
Ducking his head in squad car.
Racists thugs in uniforms,
Shining badges of the state
Still regard profiling
As their racist mandate.
Professor Gates of Harvard
On the History track,
Forgot he was respected
When he wound up black.
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This is so powerful. I love that "On the History track" - and now your poem about his ordeal has become a part of that history.
ReplyDeleteOuch...scathing! Very well done. What happened to him was so embarrassing...I even felt embarrassed by it, and I had nothing to do with that event whatsoever. I guess it's just a commentary on how little our society has evolved. Sorry...don't mean to get on the soapbox.
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