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

A Li'l Somethin' for Dick Gregory
Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
31 Aug 2017
🖨️ Print Article
A Li'l Somethin' for Dick Gregory
A Li'l Somethin' for Dick Gregory

A Li'l Somethin' for Dick Gregory

by BAR poet in residence Raymond Nat Turner

Our white-bearded cannon
fell silent—
The day became grayer…
I know, I know, I know, I know…
He was my Mom’s favorite funnyman—
She bought his books, his vinyl
Speaking to her like Malcolm
(who she shared Turkish Coffee
with on his trips west, fishing for men)

I remember his mantra
He chanted like a Buddhist Priest:
“You youngsters got a lotta work to do…”
“You youngsters got a lotta work to do…”
Doubling us over,
splitting our sides, shaking our cores…

I remember his mantra
He chanted like a Buddhist Priest:
“You youngsters got a lotta work to do…”
“You youngsters got a lotta work to do…”
Piercing steel veils with X-ray vision
puncturing absurdities with barbed tongue—
Soul-ar powered bullshit detector
administering smell tests

I remember his mantra
He chanted like a Buddhist Priest:
“You youngsters got a lotta work to do…”
“You youngsters got a lotta work to do…”
while coming as close as we’ve come to
Having a Super Hero
putting his body
On the line running,
Marching, fasting, speaking,
Teaching us to follow
the money where the
bodies are buried…

Raymond Nat Turner © 2017 All Right 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


  • Steve Salaita
    Arab Americans, Ignore the Haters: Rejecting Kamala Harris was the Right Thing to Do
    20 Nov 2024
    Arab Americans are facing vicious pushback for refusing to abandon Palestine, but people interested in a better world should follow our lead instead of mourning the neoliberal order.
  • Brasil de Fato
    People’s Tribunal Condemns Imperialism for Genocide, Hunger, Violation of Sovereignty, and Racism
    20 Nov 2024
    The activity to judge the crimes of imperialism was organized by social movements, trade unions, and civil society organizations on the eve of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
  • Black Alliance for Peace
    Afghanistan News Update #24
    20 Nov 2024
    In its usual pattern of pillaging and plundering, the U.S. seized billions of dollars of Afghanistan's assets after its withdrawal from the nation years ago. Now, the U.S. has created…
  • Black Agenda Radio
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Black Agenda Radio November 15, 2024
    15 Nov 2024
    This week, we discuss the UK, where a Black woman was chosen to lead the conservative party. First, we cover the U.S. presidential election and the angry reactions within the Black community.
  • TikTokers bragging about going to starbucks
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Black Voters Angry After Another Trump Victory
    15 Nov 2024
    Afeni provides analysis on the results of the presidential election and the reaction of many angry Black voters who have expressed reactionary and racist commentary in the wake of these results.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us