Obama Rap Poem by Oni Lasana

Let me tell you a story poem about a man
Who grew up in many world, Black, White and Tan
His mother was Irish American from Kansas, Ann Dunham
His dad was from the tribe of Luo, Barack Obama Sr. was an African

At the University of Hawaii, his parents fell in love between classes
When racial prejudice existed, among the ignorant masses
In the old hatred days, love between different races wasn't cool
But they got married anyway and both stayed in school

Barack's father was born in Kenya, a country far across the sea
His culture was very different from American history
In Kenya they needed educated people to help build up the land
So Obama Sr. went back to Kenya to help his fellow man

Sometimes people marry too young
It's not easy to stay on the marriage course
Living together became difficult for his parents
So sadly, they divorced

'Barack' means blessed and so they were, the father and the son
With a African father and a American mother, he had much to overcome
So his mother moved to Jakarta, Indonesia, and married once again
Barack lived with Asian people, appreciating the culture and beautiful land

But school was limited in Jakarta and education is the key to success
So his mother sent Barack to school in Hawaii, to get the very best
He lived with his Gramps and Toot, who brought him up just right
Teaching him not to judge people by how they looked, to be peaceful and not to fight

After high school he pursued a degree
From Columbia University in New York City
Barack helped people get decent jobs, housing and education
He later worked in the south side of Chicago, building community relations

Just like Martin Luther King Jr.
And many freedom fighters who lived before
If you want to change lives, you have to change laws
Pass new laws to help everyone, rich or poor

Barack enrolled in Harvard Law School, he stood out among the few
The first African American president of the newspaper and edited the Harvard Law Review
He wrote a book about his dad, played basket ball, and wrote poetry in his spare time
Yet, he always stayed focused on the Civil Rights of all mankind

He moved to Chicago after passing the bar exam,
Professor Obama taught the Constitution, his classes were in demand.
Times were changing and in changing times, he married a lawyer name Michelle
They had two daughters, Malia and Sasha, becoming a family man as well.


In 1996 he was the 5th African American to hold a US Senate seat
For over 8 years Senator Obama served the state of Illinois
Young, old, city and country, he listened to everyone's voice
He was chosen as the keynote speaker at the 2004 Democratic convention
His message of unity and harmony had the world's undivided attention


Many people saw a little of themselves in Barack Obama
African, Irish, Asian, Hispanic, Native, Italian, German
Barack gave them all a voice...rising out of America's melting pot
Obama said 'Yes We Can' Yes! He was the people's choice


Was it possible that a Black person could be the President of the United States
Shirley Chisholm and Jessy Jackson ran before, but it was not their fate
Now as I share this poem, some of Martin Luther King's dream came true
Barack ran for President in 2008 and won fair and square, because of people like you


So I hope you will realize your dreams are never out of reach
Cause this is what President Obama said, in his acceptance speech
'The hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who believed
that America has a place for him too'
Barack Obama, the 44th President of the USA, serving me & you.

(C) 2009 Gardenia's & Gumbeaux by Oni Lasana