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


  • Russell “Maroon” Shoatz is Free, But Other Political Prisoners Languish
    Margaret Kimberley, BAR Executive Editor and Senior Columnist
    Russell “Maroon” Shoatz is Free, But Other Political Prisoners Languish
    27 Oct 2021
    The demand for freedom of political prisoners must be consistently made for their sakes and for all at risk of joining them in the future.
  • Biden is No FDR  and Build Back Better Legislation Proves It
    ​​​​​​​ Ajamu Baraka, BAR editor and columnist
    Biden is No FDR and Build Back Better Legislation Proves It
    27 Oct 2021
    The idea that Joe Biden is the "most progressive president since FDR" is a propaganda device meant to quiet the Democratic Party left and force them to stand down.
  • ESSAY: The African Woman Today, Ama Ata Aidoo, 1992.
    Editors, The Black Agenda Review
    ESSAY: The African Woman Today, Ama Ata Aidoo, 1992.
    27 Oct 2021
    Ama Ata Aidoo has provided some of the most clear-eyed and materialist analyses of the social and political life of women on the African continent.
  • Taiwan Demonstrates that the American Empire is a Paper Tiger
    Danny Haiphong, BAR Contributing Editor
    Taiwan Demonstrates that the American Empire is a Paper Tiger
    27 Oct 2021
    Taiwan has long been the rationale for meddling in China's affairs but the latest interference poses great danger for "paper tiger" nation.
  • Senators Bonnie and Clyde - 1% soldiers of fortune
    Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
    Senators Bonnie and Clyde - 1% soldiers of fortune
    27 Oct 2021
                                                           …
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us