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


  • Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki in China
    Ann Garrison, BAR Contributing Editor
    Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki in China
    24 May 2023
    Eritrea can chart an exciting new development path through mutually respectful collaboration with China.
  • Governor Woke Smoke's $campaign: singing Dr. Goebbels Greatest Hits
    Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
    Governor Woke Smoke's $campaign: singing Dr. Goebbels Greatest Hits
    24 May 2023
                                                         
  • BAR Book Forum: Marzia Milazzo’s Book, “Colorblind Tools”
    Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor
    BAR Book Forum: Marzia Milazzo’s Book, “Colorblind Tools”
    24 May 2023
    This week’s featured author is Marzia Milazzo. Milazzo is an associate professor of English at the University of Johannesburg. Her book is Colorblind Tools: Global Technologies of Racial Power.
  • Approval of US Troops to Train Peruvian Armed Forces Proves US Behind Coup
    Clau O'Brien Moscoso
    Approval of US Troops to Train Peruvian Armed Forces Proves US Behind Coup
    24 May 2023
    US SOUTHCOM is strengthening ties with Peru's coup government by training that country's military and police force.
  • US Post-9/11 Wars Caused 4.5 million Deaths, Displaced 38-60 Million People, Study Shows
    Ben Norton
    US Post-9/11 Wars Caused 4.5 million Deaths, Displaced 38-60 Million People, Study Shows
    24 May 2023
    Wars the US waged in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and Pakistan following September 11, 2001 caused at least 4.5 million deaths and displaced 38 to 60 million people, with 7.6 million children…
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us