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

They
Bill Quigley
20 Aug 2008
🖨️ Print Article

7_foot_poet_upright_250wideby Kemet Mawakana, a.k.a. the Seven Foot Poet

How many times have we heard that "they" control your hood, your head and sometimes your heart, to hear some tell it.  You know "how they do us", right?"  The Seven Foot Poet wants you to ask the next question. 

Just who are "They"?  

“THEY”

The audio for this poem is temporarily unavailable.

 

“Aberrant behavior is shaped by its consequences”

 

The mysterious “they” are everywhere

“they” did that to me

“they” did this to them

“they” did that too

“they” hurt my family and friends

 

“they” are going to get theirs

“they” better get back

“they” allowed it to happen

“they” strategically set up that

 

“they” thrive and continue to hide

When you refer to them as “they”

“they” lose effectiveness and get more resistance

When “they” is stripped away

 

Name the names

Tell me the addresses

Show me their pictures

I want their parents’ and their children’s identities too

I want “they” to consider immediate retribution upon them and their loved ones

Before “they” do what “they” do

Then “they” will reconsider

Sick the paparazzi on the board members

Publish the policy makers

Advertise the advisors

Broadcast the manipulators

Don’t show me reality shows that could hardly be any faker

Because it is consequences that shape behavior.

 

By Kemit Mawakana (aka The Seven-Foot Poet)

 

Peace (when appropriate) War (when necessary)

 
 

Copyright 2008.

 

Kemet 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


  • Kribsoo Diallo , Essam Elkorghli
    The Imperialist Attack on the Alliance of Sahel States 2.0
    06 May 2026
    From foreign-backed ambushes to French-orchestrated destabilization, this analysis exposes how imperialism weaponizes minority struggles to fracture the Sahel — and why only Pan‑African unity can…
  • John Perry
    Exaggerated Claims by White Nationalists About Latino Migration to US
    06 May 2026
    The same exaggerated numbers that buoy Trump's border panic also help US-funded NGOs attack socialist governments.
  • Iran
    Margaret Kimberley, BAR Executive Editor and Senior Columnist
    Dr. Gerald Horne Analyzes the U.S. War of Aggression Against Iran
    01 May 2026
    Dr. Gerald Horne is a prolific author and historian who holds the John J. and Rebecca Moores Chair of History and African American Studies at the University of Houston. He joins Margaret Kimberley to…
  • BAR Radio Logo
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Black Agenda Radio May 1, 2026
    01 May 2026
    Listen and watch Black Agenda Radio as we begin hosting our program on the Black Agenda Report Youtube channel. In this week’s segment we hear from Dr. Butch Ware, the Green Party’s nominee in the…
  • Butch Ware
    Margaret Kimberley, BAR Executive Editor and Senior Columnist , Butch Ware
    Dr. Butch Ware's Green Party Campaign in the California's Governor's Race
    01 May 2026
    Black Agenda Report Executive Editor Margaret Kimberley speaks with Dr. Butch Ware, the Green Party's nominee in the California governor's race. Dr. Ware discusses why the Democratic Party is…
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us