The Proud Seed Of An American Slave Poem by Reginald Walker

For too long I stood shackled by the confinement of shame.
The shame of knowing I am the seed of a former slave.
The false mentality that in America, I will not truly live free.
The untrue belief that I would be a slave until I go to my grave.

For years, by society, it was beat and bred inside of me.
I was never meant to be apart of the great American delusion.
People and society judged me to be just the seed of a slave.
A slave bought to be just a pawn for the great American institution.

Forced to live in blighted areas and live the worst of lives.
I had to run for my life just to pass through your neighborhood.
And in the darkness of the shadows that covered the street
I forced to survive and live in ways that no one ever should.

Yet centuries later, here at last I still stand tall and strong,
Though pushed around, I have refused to be knocked down.
I am a black man striving hard to survive and fighting to stay alive.
The proud seed of an American slave and I will stand my ground.

America, here I am; take a good sincere look at me.
I am a strong, proud black man that is trying to stay alive.
I am determined to secede where I am out of place.
I am a outspoken black man that is striving hard to survive.

Toward me the world often has been cold and brutal.
The people of society constantly warring to keep me down.
Yet, here I still stand tall, proud and very strong.
I am a black man, the seed of a slave; I will stand my ground.