Black Agenda Report
Black Agenda Report
News, commentary and analysis from the black left.

  • Home
  • Africa
  • African America
  • Education
  • Environment
  • International
  • Media and Culture
  • Political Economy
  • Radio
  • US Politics
  • War and Empire

My Wise Country Cousin on The State Machine’s Machinegun-Totin’ Cops… 
Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
20 Aug 2014
🖨️ Print Article

by BAR poet-in-residence Raymond Nat Turner

Dey got Glocks, pumps, tasirs, peppurspray, vess—
White magik fo’ conjurin’ cases ob “resisin’ aress!”

My Wise Country Cousin on The State Machine’s Machinegun-Totin’ Cops… 

by BAR poet-in-residence Raymond Nat Turner

Look lak de Daltuns, Youngas an ol’ James gangs
Is resirrecit, an’ up ridin’ again, doin’ dey thangs—
Bowdin’ de D train wit machinegun-totin’ police
Dey needin’ dat firepower fo’ “keepin’ de peace?”
‘Less Al Kater on de A, Boocoo Harome on de B
Dem damn machineguns make no sense, to me…
‘Less Eyesool on de C, an’ Eyesis down on de D
Dem damn machineguns make no sense, to me…
Dey got Glocks, pumps, tasirs, peppurspray, vess—
White magik fo’ conjurin’ cases ob “resisin’ aress!”

Dey shoutin’ night an’ day‘bout Eyesool and Eyesis
Coverin’ up de fac dey sistum’s tremblin’ wit crisis:
Workin’ folk tired ob takeaways an’ myzerly charity
Caint take much mo’ ob dese heists called awesterity—
Son, I tolt you once, tolt you twice, dis makes thrice
Dis a police state Negroz an’ liberuls call ‘paradice!’

Dey got C-Is, Demografick Units an Mosk Crawlers,
Ebben mens among trash hallers, an’ cable installers…
Now, it lookin’ lak to me dat Bloody Billy Bratton
Is bringin’ dat ol’ SS mess up here in Manhattun…
Sho lookin’ lak what de youngtaz be callin’ po-po
Is jes de Furor’s ol’ gang ob thugs de Gustop-po—
Well, so much fo’ hare-splittin,’ ackademik debate,
It pas’ time fo’ callin’ dis muthafucka a police state!

Raymond Nat Turner can be contacted at Raymond (at) upsurgejazz.com
Raymond Nat Turner © 2105 All Rights Reserved

Do you need and appreciate Black Agenda Report articles? Please click on the DONATE icon, and help us out, if you can.


More Stories


  • Ukraine: Black Agenda Report Special Issue
    The Editors
    Ukraine: Black Agenda Report Special Issue
    02 Mar 2022
    This issue of Black Agenda Report gives special attention to events in Ukraine.
  • Ukraine Exposes White Supremacist Foreign Policy
    Margaret Kimberley, BAR Executive Editor and Senior Columnist
    Ukraine Exposes White Supremacist Foreign Policy
    02 Mar 2022
    White supremacy is at the heart of US war propaganda. The exhortation to "stand with Ukraine" is no exception to this rule.
  • DOCUMENT: Of the Culture of White Folk, W. E. B. Du Bois, 1917
    Editors, The Black Agenda Review
    DOCUMENT: Of the Culture of White Folk, W. E. B. Du Bois, 1917
    02 Mar 2022
    As the European-initiated World War I raged, W. E. B. DuBois reminded us about the destructive nature of the “culture of white folk.” It is a reminder sorely needed today.
  • From Crisis to Catastrophe? What is to be Done in Eastern Europe.
    Dr. Gerald Horne
    From Crisis to Catastrophe? What is to be Done in Eastern Europe.
    02 Mar 2022
    The end of the cold war was the beginning of the America unipolar moment.
  • A Different “Fight for 15:” Haiti Garment Industry Workers Strike
    Mamyrah Prosper
    A Different “Fight for 15:” Haiti Garment Industry Workers Strike
    02 Mar 2022
    The garment workers' strike in Haiti can't be separated from that nation's history. Continued US interference on behalf of oligarchic rule keeps workers in poverty.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us