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

Ms. Cortez Goes to Washington
Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
04 Apr 2019
🖨️ Print Article
ms cortez goes to washington
The real Washington DC isn't so different from the real Bronx or Queens...

“Never be deceived that the rich will
allow you to vote away their wealth.”
—Lucy Parsons

Bloody flashbacks: southern senators
sitting on Capitalist Hill…’til
Rigor mortis set in…
evolution of African-American voting

Supernatural powers of suffrage—20
minute recipe, 1 day—every 2-4 yrs:
Mix oceans of blood,
rivers of tears, with black cat dander; stir
Donkey dung, goober dust, a rabbit’s foot;
Sprinkle holy water; warm 365/24-7;
1/2 bake Hellfire Missiles in Predator Drone;
Crisp images of august bodies—Bipartisan
Business men/women serve up to seven
Wars—Trillions—Pentagon with the wind!
Finely chop cult of personality,
garnish liberally with piping
hot propaganda, glaze with PSYOP syrup;
Grease the Hill to Feel the Bern…until…

Ms. Cortez goes to Washington—
She don’t hafta come in cape, tights, “S” on
her chest or tattooed: “Care Bear Commie,”
compliments of Fox-box foot soldiers and
scribblers. Just “shake it up, baby.” Just
Talk the talk—impossible shit. We do the
Difficult: Montgomery Bus Boycott, 8 Hr.Day,
Abolition of slavery—We are our own Liberators!

© 2019. Raymond Nat Turner, The Town Crier. All Rights Reserved.

© 2019. Raymond Nat Turner, The Town Crier. All Rights Reserved.,br/> Raymond Nat Turner is an accomplished poet and performing artist. You can find much more of his work at http://upsurgejazz.com.

poetry

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
    Blackshirts and Reds, the Profound and Persistent Class Analysis of Dr. Michael Parenti
    22 Apr 2026
    On Saturday, April 25th a memorial service will be held in Berkeley, California for Dr. Michael Parenti, radical historian, social scientist, author, and public speaker. There will be a…
  • Anthony Karefa Rogers-Wright
    On the Eve of an International Fossil Fuels Conference, Afro-Descendants Ask How Black Lives can Matter Without Acknowledging their Existence?
    22 Apr 2026
    Afro-descendant organizers are being erased from a fossil fuels conference before the event even begins.
  • Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor
    BAR Book Forum: Jarvis C. McInnis’s Book, “Afterlives of the Plantation”
    22 Apr 2026
    This week’s featured author is Jarvis C. McInnis. McInnis is the Cordelia and William Laverack Family Assistant Professor of English at Duke University. His book is Afterlives of the…
  • Sam E Anderson
    Beyond the Algorithm: Defending the Cuban Revolution’s Record Against Ahistorical Attacks
    22 Apr 2026
    A critical analysis of ongoing social media warfare against Cuba and the global African response to a revolution under criminal siege.
  • John Parker
    Socialist candidate John Parker: Abolish ICE and police, fund people’s needs
    22 Apr 2026
    Following is a recent campaign meeting talk by socialist congressional candidate John Parker. Parker is a founding member of the Struggle for Socialism Party and Struggle-La Lucha magazine. He is a…
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us