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


  • BAR Book Forum: fahima ife’s “Maroon Choreography”
    Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor
    BAR Book Forum: fahima ife’s “Maroon Choreography”
    26 Jan 2022
    In this series, we ask acclaimed authors to answer five questions about their book.
  • Buenaventura, Colombia Strikes Against Racial Capitalism
    Herrinson Campara Campaz, Anthony Dest, Esther Ojulari
    Buenaventura, Colombia Strikes Against Racial Capitalism
    26 Jan 2022
    Before Colombia’s national uprising exploded in April 2021, struggles for justice in a majority Black port city set in motion a historic new wave of social protest.
  • Reagan’s “Shining City on a Hill” Was Really a Mirage
    Dr.Wilmer J. Leon, III
    Reagan’s “Shining City on a Hill” Was Really a Mirage
    26 Jan 2022
    It is best to be wary when American politicians create expressions like "shining city on a hill." One of Reagan's signature phrases has been reused time and again by republicans and democrats a
  • Automating Banishment: The Surveillance and Policing of Looted Land, a New Report from the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition
    Stop LAPD Spying Coalition
    Automating Banishment: The Surveillance and Policing of Looted Land, a New Report from the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition
    26 Jan 2022
    Surveillance is an integral part of policing in this country.
  • Seven Myths about the January 6th Capitol Building Incident
    Roger D. Harris
    Seven Myths about the January 6th Capitol Building Incident
    26 Jan 2022
    The events of January 6, 2021 at the Capitol have been discussed and written about endlessly, but without much useful analysis.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us