Tis the reason why I sing

Memory speaks of a ship of slaves

Tortured bodies cramped in the belly of the whale

Pained reflections of what had been

Soft murmurs of amazing grace.

Back hung low with strain

Fingers knurled, cut and bruised

Cotton spikes and bosses laugh

Poppa sings of goin’ up yonder to see my lawd.

Freedom blues strain against concrete jungles

Nappy headed kids playing in alleys of despair

Junkies going wild, pimps all around

Momma sings ole happy days.

Justice delayed, people played

Stagnant hopes fail to redeem the dream

Spooks sittin in de corner store

Folks crying there’s gonna be a better day.

Playas shouting rap and rhymes

Ganstas playing nickes and dimes

Saints prancing in their new Sunday shoes

Family chanting it’s a brand new day.

Tis the reason why I sing…

Busta and baby –looking to see

Just what this new message goin ’ be

Steps up and declares it straight

Today –the change has finally come.

The song that lies silent in the heart of a mother sings upon the lips of her child..

Kahlil Gibran

Rodney D. Coates

Professor and Interim Director of Black World Studies

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