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

It Is Better To Give Than To Receive
Bill Quigley
10 Sep 2008
🖨️ Print Article

It
Is Better To Give Than To Receive

by Kemet Mawakana

To hear this original work performed by the Seven Foot Poet, click the flash player below

{mp3}poetry/1007ft_better_2_give{/mp3}

You
gave me your name

     And
I took it.

You
gave me your number

     And
I took it.

You
gave me your friendship

     And
I took it.

You
gave me your trust

     And
I took it.

You
gave me your love

     And
I took it.

You
gave me your self

     And
I took it.

You
gave me the world

     And
I took it.

I
finally am ready to give – and you can’t take it anymore.

By
Kemit Mawakana (aka The Seven-Foot Poet)

Peace
(when appropriate) War (when necessary)

Copyright
1996.

Kemit
Mawakana (aka “The Seven-Foot Poet”) is a highly acclaimed
spoken-word artist, and has published two books
A
. . . Z . . . Infinity

and
Crucifixion
of My Soul
.
The collective body of his works presented weekly in BAR are in
tribute to Listervelt Middleton, Dr. John Henrik Clarke, and “For
The People”. Currently, he is a facilitator at AYA Educational
Institute (
www.ayaed.com)
and can be reached at
sevenfootpoet@gmail.com.

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


More Stories


  • Ann Garrison, BAR Contributing Editor
    In Defense of Eric Nshimiye
    24 Apr 2024
    The Canton Repository published Ann Garrison’s op-ed in support of Eric Nshimiye on April 22. The US Attorney’s office has charged Eric with concealing genocide crimes on his asylum application.
  • Richard Medhurst
    Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor , Richard Medhurst
    U.S. Corporate Media Watch
    24 Apr 2024
    In this feature, we interview Syrian-born journalist Richard Medhurst about state propaganda, the mainstream media, and U.S. imperialism.
  • Protesters holding Seder
    Anthony Rogers-Wright
    A Black Jew’s Passover Message
    24 Apr 2024
    In this time when Israel and Zionism have become the representation of Judaism, Jewish people, especially Black Jews, should reflect on what it means to observe Passover during an ongoing…
  • Columbia University President Minouche Shafik
    Jacqueline Luqman
    Colleges and Universities Collaborate With The State To Silence Pro-Palestine Protests
    24 Apr 2024
    On campuses across the country, students and faculty are finding various ways to take action against the unfolding genocide in Gaza. In response, colleges and universities operate in collusion with…
  • Map of Niger in West Africa
    Abayomi Azikiwe
    Russian Advisors Arrive in Niger While the Masses Demand the Immediate Withdrawal of Pentagon Troops
    24 Apr 2024
    Thousands gathered in Niamey to call for the departure of United States drone stations and soldiers.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us