Black Agenda Report
Black Agenda Report
News, commentary and analysis from the black left.

  • Home
  • Africa
  • African America
  • Education
  • Environment
  • International
  • Media and Culture
  • Political Economy
  • Radio
  • US Politics
  • War and Empire

The Unemployment Question(s)
Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
04 Feb 2014
🖨️ Print Article

by Raymond Nat Turner

Livin’ on nothin’, while hunger works full time

No wonder, some brothers stumble into crime.

 

The Unemployment Question(s)

by Raymond Nat Turner

 

Licking bitter flaps on unemployment envelopes

somewhere under the rainbow

Lies

true hues

in bright Red,

Black

and dark Blues:

 

Drawin’ unemployment’s like drawin’ straws

Drawin’ unemployment’s like drawin’ straws

We come up short under rich folks’ laws.

 

Livin’ on nothin’, while hunger works full time

Livin’ on nothin’, while hunger works full time

No wonder, some brothers stumble into crime.

 

And the rich cry, “...crime, crime, crime” every day

And the rich cry, “...crime, crime, crime” every day

While cocaine’s trafficked by the C-I-A.

 

We been slavin’ fo’ the mastahs and what we git?

We been slavin’ fo’ the mastahs and what we git?

Stack-o-papers to fill out, askin’ dumb shit!

 

“State here the reason you’re out of work.”

“Answer the following then report to the clerk.”

“Will you accept work in your usual trade?”

“What’s your income with benefits paid?”

“Do you own a farm, or a ranch?”

“Do you have a savings? What branch?”

“Did you look for work all this past week?”

“Where did you go, with whom did you speak?”

“Are you a citizen of the U.S.?”

“If answering ‘No’, then why not ‘Yes’?”

“Have a seat and wait to be seen”

“Any questions about what we mean?”

“Anyone in line who voluntarily quit?”

“Step out — go over there and sit”

“Sorry, you can’t be seen until ten —”

 

“Provided, you fill this out for WIN...”

 

We been slavin’ fo’ the mastahs and what we git?

We been slavin’ fo’ the mastahs and what we git?

Appointment

with

revolution

When we fit…

 

Raymond Nat Turner can be contacted at upsurgejazz.com.

 

Raymond Nat Turner © 1986 All Rights Reserved

Do you need and appreciate Black Agenda Report articles? Please click on the DONATE icon, and help us out, if you can.


More Stories


  • BAR Radio Logo
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Black Agenda Radio April 26, 2024
    26 Apr 2024
    This week, we discuss the New York Governor’s refusal to include a housing voucher program in the latest budget and how the U.S. has been permitted to assist Israel in its war crimes. First, we…
  • CUAD
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Columbia Students Mobilize in Solidarity with Palestine
    26 Apr 2024
    Danny Shaw and Jalsa join us to discuss the ongoing protest at Columbia University, where students are protesting the institution’s involvement with Israel and mobilizing in solidarity with the…
  • VOCAL-NY logo
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    New York State Fails to Meet Housing Needs
    26 Apr 2024
    Adolfo Abreu joins us from New York City to discuss the Housing Access Voucher Program and why it is important to meet the housing needs of New Yorkers.
  • RBN Logo
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Gaza War Crimes Go Unpunished
    26 Apr 2024
    Margaret Kimberley joined Revolutionary Blackout Network to talk about the lack of international enforcement for the ICJ ruling calling on Israel to end its war crimes.
  • Margaret Kimberley, BAR Executive Editor and Senior Columnist
    Watching US Fascism in Action from China
    24 Apr 2024
    The contradictions and embarrassing antics of the fascist war-mongering United States appear with stark clarity when viewed from an outside perspective. Especially within nations like China, where…
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us