I Can’t Condemn 4.25.2008 Poem by Margaret Alice

I know what is due to whom and why and when,
yet I can’t condemn affirmative action in a
blanket fashion. After years of exploitation
it is action to address imbalances of the past;

though some people and organizations wilfully
abuse opportunities it is the case with all
political activism in every country everywhere,
once redress has been obtained and the system
is all skew again, the balance will shift

common sense and understanding will surface
but until then we have to bite on our teeth
and organize against all forms of crime,
private and institutional

when all has been dismantled, we shall rise
again – we’ve gone through the exercise
before, maybe we are able to deal with the
situation more because we’ve had to oppose
colonialism and win freedom before…