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

Bad Hombres
Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
25 Jul 2018
🖨️ Print Article
Bad Hombres
Central American has the highest murder rate on the planet, thanks to 2 centuries of US intervention.

Miguel was a precocious
six-year-old. And Maria,
his mother, swore the
Sun’s shine started in
his green eyes. ‘Ojos Verde,’
she lovingly called him.

Blessed with perfect pitch,
Miguel’s music aptitude
was off the charts! He could pick
Melodies out on the tiny, beat up
guitar, his Grandpa rescued from
Rich folks’ trash and put in Miguel’s
small hands the moment he walked.
And the sky was the limit—before
Bad Hombres with
Badges kidnapped him…

Floods of florescent light, 24/7
and arbitrary darkness behind
blacked out windows…remind
Miguel that his world is flipped
Upside down like a car skidding out of
Control somewhere in Oregon or New York.
He misses his Mommy; He rocks and chants
staccato licks, “Ma-ma, ma-ma, ma-ma…”

The sharp needle pierces his tender
Brown flesh. He screams, “Ma-ma, Ma-ma!”
Sunshine drains from emerald eyes into slo-
mo replays like red flags thrown through the
Rest of his life…

After 54 days Miguel’s reunited with his Mommy.
She searches scabies and lice for emerald sunshine,
Finding busted windows where a tortured soul and
Nightmares reside profitably: Childcare provided by
Bad Hombres—
drug dealers
and rapists…

© 2018. Raymond Nat Turner, The Town Crier. All Rights Reserved.

Raymond Nat Turner is an acclaimed poet and performing artist. Find much more of his work at http://upsurgejazz.com.

Central America

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


Related Stories

John Perry
UN “Experts” Fueling Washington’s Attacks on Nicaragua
01 April 2026
The UN panel’s reports on Nicaragua recycle claims from U.S.-backed opposition groups, serving as a propaganda arm for Washington’s regime chan
Gerald A. Perreira
Turning Its Back on Cuba: Government of Guyana Sells Its Soul
25 February 2026
Cuba has provided Guyana with doctors, scholarships, and healthcare for nearly five decades.

More Stories


  • Cody Bloomfield
    The State Is Wielding Grand Jury Subpoenas Against Cop City Activists
    23 Oct 2024
    Activists organizing against the militarized police training facility in Atlanta are facing new forms of repression.
  • Aída Chávez
    After Israel Killed Hamas Leader, D.C. Pushes to Hand Palestine to Saudi Arabia
    23 Oct 2024
    Bent on a “mega-deal” security pact with Saudi Arabia, Congress and the Biden administration see their chance.
  • Black Agenda Radio
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Black Agenda Radio October 18, 2024
    18 Oct 2024
    In this segment, we discuss housing proposals in New York City and nationally. Do they improve affordability? How do they impact Black people? But first, we discuss a new book written by a Black…
  • Union labor strike
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Class War in America: How the Elites Divide the Nation By Asking Are You a Worker or Are You White?
    18 Oct 2024
    Black Agenda Report contributor, Jon Jeter joins us from Washington to talk about his new book, "Class War in America: How the Elites Divide the Nation By Asking Are You a Worker or Are You White?"…
  • Leah Goodridge
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Black People and the Housing Affordability Crisis
    18 Oct 2024
    Leah Goodridge is a tenants’ rights attorney, a writer, and a member of New York City’s City Planning Commission. She joins us to discuss New York City Mayor Eric Adams' recently passed housing…
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us