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

A Li'l Somethin' for Dick Gregory
Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
31 Aug 2017
🖨️ Print Article
A Li'l Somethin' for Dick Gregory
A Li'l Somethin' for Dick Gregory

A Li'l Somethin' for Dick Gregory

by BAR poet in residence Raymond Nat Turner

Our white-bearded cannon
fell silent—
The day became grayer…
I know, I know, I know, I know…
He was my Mom’s favorite funnyman—
She bought his books, his vinyl
Speaking to her like Malcolm
(who she shared Turkish Coffee
with on his trips west, fishing for men)

I remember his mantra
He chanted like a Buddhist Priest:
“You youngsters got a lotta work to do…”
“You youngsters got a lotta work to do…”
Doubling us over,
splitting our sides, shaking our cores…

I remember his mantra
He chanted like a Buddhist Priest:
“You youngsters got a lotta work to do…”
“You youngsters got a lotta work to do…”
Piercing steel veils with X-ray vision
puncturing absurdities with barbed tongue—
Soul-ar powered bullshit detector
administering smell tests

I remember his mantra
He chanted like a Buddhist Priest:
“You youngsters got a lotta work to do…”
“You youngsters got a lotta work to do…”
while coming as close as we’ve come to
Having a Super Hero
putting his body
On the line running,
Marching, fasting, speaking,
Teaching us to follow
the money where the
bodies are buried…

Raymond Nat Turner © 2017 All Right 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


  • Man holding Haitian flag in front of fire
    MOLEGHAF
    MOLEGHAF Denounces the US-Imposed “Accord for Peaceful Orderly Transition” in Haiti
    17 Apr 2024
    The "transitional council" in Haiti is another part of the plan to maintain the dominance of imperialist forces over the island. This process is driving the nation further into a socioeconomic crisis.
  • OJ Simpson at his trial
    Gus Griffin
    O.J. Simpson and Understanding the Black Support He Never Deserved
    17 Apr 2024
    O.J. Simpson's acquittal in one of the most infamous murder trials of the 20th century was celebrated as a symbolic win for the Black community against an oppressive system. However, O.J. was…
  • Axis of resistance
    Essam Elkorghli
    The Axis of Resistance Exposing the Functionaries of Imperialism
    17 Apr 2024
    The Axis of Resistance is shining a light on the reactionary regimes in the region who remain active and willing agents of imperialism.
  • Nada Wanni
    Sudanese Dialogue and Political Processes at a Time of War: People, Participation, and Power
    17 Apr 2024
    Ending the war in Sudan will require real Sudanese dialogue to carve out a new political course. The people must be wary of a manufactured process, run by a political and economic elite…
  • Socialist Movement of Workers of the Dominican Republic
    In the Dominican Republic, Sexual Violence Against Haitian Women and Girls is a Consequence of the Government's Racist Policy
    17 Apr 2024
    The reactionary government of the Dominican Republic has continued to pursue its racist policies against Haiti, deporting Haitians while exploiting the nation for its economic gain. Widespread sexual…
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us