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


  • MANIFESTO: A Call to Workers and Peasants of Curacao, 1932
    Editors, The Black Agenda Review
    MANIFESTO: A Call to Workers and Peasants of Curacao, 1932
    19 Apr 2023
    Reparations for slavery? What about imperialism? A 1932 statement on Dutch imperialism as the exploiter of the masses of Curaçao suggests why.
  • The Tennessee Three speak in We
    Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
    The Tennessee Three speak in We
    19 Apr 2023
                                                           …
  •  BAR Book Forum: Malcolm Harris’s Book, “Palo Alto”
    Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor
    BAR Book Forum: Malcolm Harris’s Book, “Palo Alto”
    19 Apr 2023
    This week’s featured author is Malcolm Harris. Harris is a freelance writer and the author of Kids These Days: The Making of Millennials and Shit is Fucked Up and Bullshit: History Since the End of…
  • Modern Day Reconstruction and Tennessee's Expulsion of Black Lawmakers
    Jon Jeter
    Modern Day Reconstruction and Tennessee's Expulsion of Black Lawmakers
    19 Apr 2023
    The temporary expulsion of two Black Tennessee legislators was a reminder of why even a tiny semblance of Black political independence is feared and hated. The expressions of support from …
  • Apologies Not Accepted - Or I Love It When The Universe Proves Me Right
    Jacqueline Luqman
    Apologies Not Accepted - Or I Love It When The Universe Proves Me Right
    19 Apr 2023
    Jacqueline Luqman was vilified for pointing out a simple fact. Black people will not make common cause with racists and bigots. Racists do not get a pass because they call themselves anti-war.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us