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 Book Forum: Reighan Gillam’s Book, “Visualizing Black Lives”
    Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor
    BAR Book Forum: Reighan Gillam’s Book, “Visualizing Black Lives”
    14 Sep 2022
    In this series, we ask acclaimed authors to answer five questions about their book. This week’s featured author is Reighan Gillam. Gillam is an assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology…
  • Laundering Black Rage, Part 2
    Too Black
    Laundering Black Rage, Part 2
    14 Sep 2022
    Rage is a natural human emotion that is denied to Black people. Black rage is dangerous and is washed away, laundered, as if it were an ill-gotten gain. Too Black explains in the second part of…
  • Big Ideas to Stir the Blood: Reimagining Reparations as America's Marshall Plan and Not Just a Payday
    Jon Jeter
    Big Ideas to Stir the Blood: Reimagining Reparations as America's Marshall Plan and Not Just a Payday
    14 Sep 2022
    International law requires that reparations be made for human rights violations. African Americans certainly fall into the category of those entitled to just compensation, restitution, and…
  • Economic Freedom Fighters Statement on the Death of Queen Elizabeth
    Sinawo Thambo, Leigh-Ann Mathys, Sixolise Gcilishe
    Economic Freedom Fighters Statement on the Death of Queen Elizabeth
    14 Sep 2022
    The brutal history of British imperialism should not be forgotten in the wake of the Queen's death. The South African organization, Economic Freedom Fighters, recounts the many crimes…
  • The Global Fragility Act: Washington’s New Tool for Controlling an Indomitable Haiti
    Travis Ross
    The Global Fragility Act: Washington’s New Tool for Controlling an Indomitable Haiti
    14 Sep 2022
    Haiti is the first target of the Global Fragility Act. Haiti's "fragility" is caused by decades of U.S. interference, and the restoration of its sovereignty is the way to resolve that nation's …
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us