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


  • Texas Governor Signs Law to Stop Teachers from Talking about Racism
    Jennifer Bendery
    Texas Governor Signs Law to Stop Teachers from Talking about Racism
    23 Jun 2021
    Texas mandates that its schools see no racism, hear no racism, and teach nothing about racism, racial oppression or racial capitalism. 
  • Over 100 Anti-Protest Bills Have Been Introduced Since George Floyd Rebellion
    Ella Fasslier
    Over 100 Anti-Protest Bills Have Been Introduced Since George Floyd Rebellion
    23 Jun 2021
    The new laws are part of a larger trend of conservative, right-wing efforts at the state level designed to counter the goals of social movements.
  • BAR Book Forum: Gerald Horne’s Jazz and Justice
    Dr. Gerald Horne
    BAR Book Forum: Gerald Horne’s Jazz and Justice
    23 Jun 2021
    He was stunned to ascertain that Europe was less racist toward those like himself in comparison to his homeland;
  • The Case of Alex Saab - US Abduction of Venezuelan Diplomat, a Global Challenge 
    Sara Flounders and Roger D. Harris 
    The Case of Alex Saab - US Abduction of Venezuelan Diplomat, a Global Challenge 
    23 Jun 2021
    The case involves the kidnapping of a diplomat by the world’s sole superpower locked in an unequal struggle to destroy the formerly prosperous, oil rich country of Venezuela.
  • To End Racial Capitalism, We Will Need to Take On the Institution of Policing
    Henry A. Giroux
    To End Racial Capitalism, We Will Need to Take On the Institution of Policing
    23 Jun 2021
    The same activists who are working to defund the police are also part of a collective movement to bring an end to neoliberal capitalism.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us