Needing More To Step Up Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

When did racism not exist.
Even those blind,
Can detect the effects of it.
It is woven into the fabric,
Of a quilt made from ignorance.
Long exhibited.
And for centuries displayed.
By those who continue to perpetuate,
Their insecurities in bigoted ways.
Yet...
There are many needing more to step up,
To the facts.
And get their acts in order.
Before making demands,
That others in positions of leadership...
Should step down.
From proving themselves,
To be the clowns they are.
Mimicking to portray images to stereotype,
Those who should by now be familiar.
As to who imitates whom to do,
On a daily basis to offend.

Blacks who adorn blond wigs.
And contacts to have the bluest of eyes.
Whites who rap as if straight from the 'hood'.
To have lived in suburbia most of their life.
And today,
More wear their hair in dreads.
Just to make a fashion statement.
But could not survive,
Being disenfranchised or demoralized.
While some refuse to identify with either.
Since their identities,
Are associated with materialism and greed.
And when denied,
This is the only time they speak...
Of inequality while dressed in suits and ties.
Hoping this disguises who they are.

Hmmm...
Do blacks pledging loyalty and devotion,
To fraternities and sororities.
Know anything about being Greek?
Other than the Olympics.
Does anyone belonging to the KKK.
Disliking Jews, Blacks, Mexicans, Chinese...
Koreans, Muslims and themselves too!
Although...
Claim to be followers of Jesus.
Quoting scriptures from the Bible Belt.
Know that Jesus Christ was a Jew.
As well as Hitler's grandmother too? !
But nuts to crack,
Seldom know the facts.
Before they leave behind their broken shells.
To perform evil with a doing it well.

Racism exists.
Even those blind,
Can detect the ignorance of it.
Yet...
Many confined to limited minds,
Are in need to step up.
Than there are those needing to step down.
From positions of leadership.
Selected to perpetuate,
The doing of clowns.
Getting attention from those who give it.
Awaiting to be offended.
While they too pretend...
Their identities to defend.
But as of yet,
Proven they can show respect...
With it given or expect to get from each other.
When that happens,
Everything else will be solved.