American Race Poem by LeeAnn Azzopardi

America, you weren't sewn by Betsy Ross
But Tubman, and DuBois
Then Malcolm, King and Parks
As Blues. Jazz and Hip-hop were sung about yr soul
Angelou, Jordan, Lorde, and Hughes
Wrote sonnets of protest
It was the African American, America
That weaved you together
When the white devils from the media
Told James Brown
He couldn't both be black and proud
He went to the roof tops
And said it louder
As he danced in his crown and robe
Singing Unity
And when Gwendolyn Brooks recited her poems
I wanted to be 'Real Cool', but I am afraid
Since I am a 'White Devil'
I have no right to even write about it
And the guilt that I am chained to
Break free is tied to my skin
I shall be released when all people are
Until then, I break with my pen
Knowing I will be the first to load a gun
For the first black person willing to let me
Then, I will not have any shame