Absence Of Truth Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

What those who claim,
Not to be racist but are...
Fear most.
Is a losing of an influence.
They perceive they should have.
Instead of feeling secure,
Within themselves.
Which on a daily basis they prove,
It is the color of one's skin...
That upsets them.

What those who claim,
Not to be racist but are...
Fear most.
Is their inability to justify,
Why those who are of color...
Can no longer be identified,
As fools or stupid.
Like they have shown them portrayed.
Whenever they chose to demean,
And advertise...
In caricature images depicted.
Provoking stereotypes and told lies.

What those who claim,
Not to be racist but are...
Fear to make it clear.
Is the realization of facts,
From a history that has them deluded...
By its absence of truth.
A truth they wish they could ignore.
That has them more dependent upon,
Those of color on every shore.
And even more within their borders.
They would rather not admit,
Had more to do with 'their' greatness!
While they sat to sit,
Wanting to be worshipped...
As the creators of its existence.

And this...
Those who claim not to be racist,
But are.
Fear most to lose.
Giving them reason to produce conflict.
And the influence of creating more of it.
Just for the attention.
For themselves to get.
To leave them feeling important and superior,
Over others to keep reminded...
Of their contributions to humanity.