by BAR Poet-in-Residence Raymond Nat Turner
Molefi Asante’s brand of “Afrocentricity” means McCarthyism and race and class betrayal.
My Wise Country Cousin on Judas comin’ to Cali…
by BAR Poet-in-Residence Raymond Nat Turner
What de O’Jays say ‘bout how “Dey smile in ya face”
While, Afro-sin-triss-ticly, “tryin’ ta take ya place?”
Smilin’ Faces: “Don let de hanshake and smile ful ya”
Dey say “take mah advice, ahm only tryin’ ta school ya—”
Son, you beware ob de one, “Baba” dis, an “Ase” dat
‘Cause, mos lakly he de one wit de razur in his hat!
Negroz Wes’ getin’ nuz stagecoach, or Pony Express,
Bringin’ dat ol’ Moeffy boy to Cali to talk his mess?
In de lounge named after Huey Newton an Bobby Seal—
Dey heard ‘bout de brotherly love, back-stabbin’ deal?
Dey bringin’ Afro-Sin-tris-sick Judas in cap an’ gown
Dat caint eben draw five Negroz in his own town?
Seem lak dat Monterror boy at Tempull doin’ sum gud,
Teachin’ troof ‘bout Blak folk fight, to dose in de ‘hood
Wen dat Judas Moeffy boy start de bad-moufin’ an’ hatin’—
Dirty work ob de Tempull massas wit all dey red-baitin’…
Dey say de Monterror boy a Sowshallus an Marksis—
We say, “Gud, if he heppin’ de Norf Philly folk resis!”
Raymond Nat Turner © 2014 All Rights Reserved
Read against the terrible incineration of Rafah today, this poem of resistance and refusal, by Palestinian poet Samih al-Qasim, is as powerful now as it was fifty years ago.
I spoke to William Sakawa, a producer and reporter with the Nairobi-based media outlet African Stream, about Kenyan President William Ruto’s agreement to invade Haiti for the US.
"Hearing! Hearing! Hearing!" is the latest from BAR's Poet-in-Residence.
This week’s featured authors are Jeanelle K. Hope and Bill V. Mullen. Their book is The Black Antifascist Tradition: Fighting Back From Anti-Lynching to Abolition.
Despite the undeserved loyalty of Black people to the Democratic Party, lawmakers continue to push policy that ignores concerns about climate change and environmental damage in their communities.
