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

They
Bill Quigley
20 Aug 2008
🖨️ Print Article

7_foot_poet_upright_250wideby Kemet Mawakana, a.k.a. the Seven Foot Poet

How many times have we heard that "they" control your hood, your head and sometimes your heart, to hear some tell it.  You know "how they do us", right?"  The Seven Foot Poet wants you to ask the next question. 

Just who are "They"?  

“THEY”

The audio for this poem is temporarily unavailable.

 

“Aberrant behavior is shaped by its consequences”

 

The mysterious “they” are everywhere

“they” did that to me

“they” did this to them

“they” did that too

“they” hurt my family and friends

 

“they” are going to get theirs

“they” better get back

“they” allowed it to happen

“they” strategically set up that

 

“they” thrive and continue to hide

When you refer to them as “they”

“they” lose effectiveness and get more resistance

When “they” is stripped away

 

Name the names

Tell me the addresses

Show me their pictures

I want their parents’ and their children’s identities too

I want “they” to consider immediate retribution upon them and their loved ones

Before “they” do what “they” do

Then “they” will reconsider

Sick the paparazzi on the board members

Publish the policy makers

Advertise the advisors

Broadcast the manipulators

Don’t show me reality shows that could hardly be any faker

Because it is consequences that shape behavior.

 

By Kemit Mawakana (aka The Seven-Foot Poet)

 

Peace (when appropriate) War (when necessary)

 
 

Copyright 2008.

 

Kemet Mawakana (aka “The Seven-Foot Poet”) is a highly acclaimed spoken-word artist, and has published two books A . . . Z . . . Infinity and Crucifixion of My Soul. The collective body of his works presented weekly in BAR are in tribute to Listervelt Middleton, Dr. John Henrik Clarke, and “For The People”. Currently, he is a facilitator at AYA Educational Institute (www.ayaed.com) and can be reached at sevenfootpoet@gmail.com.

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: Jean-Thomas Tremblay’s Book, “Breathing Aesthetics”
    Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor
    BAR Book Forum: Jean-Thomas Tremblay’s Book, “Breathing Aesthetics”
    07 Dec 2022
    This week’s featured author is Jean-Thomas Tremblay. Tremblay is Assistant Professor of Environmental Humanities in the Department of Humanities at York University. Their book is Breathing Aesthetics.
  • Speech at the World Peace Council's Hanoi Peace Conference
    Bahman Azad
    Speech at the World Peace Council's Hanoi Peace Conference
    07 Dec 2022
    The multipolar world is a reality, but the U.S. is determined to assert itself as a unipolar hegemon and endanger the whole world in the process.
  • US Tax Dollars at Work: Neocolonial Dictatorship, Paramilitary and Police Terror in Haiti Today
    Seth Donnelly
    US Tax Dollars at Work: Neocolonial Dictatorship, Paramilitary and Police Terror in Haiti Today
    07 Dec 2022
    The call for "law and order" and strengthening police in Haiti is as dangerous as talk of any occupation. The police force is connected with Haitian oligarchs and their political puppets and is…
  • Open Veins of Africa Bleeding Heavily
    Ndongo Samba Sylla , Jomo Kwame Sundaram
    Open Veins of Africa Bleeding Heavily
    07 Dec 2022
    African nations are rich in resources yet remain impoverished due to onerous IMF and World Bank loan policies and capital flight.
  • Unjust Measures Imposed on Labor and African Americans After Midterm Elections
    Abayomi Azikiwe
    Unjust Measures Imposed on Labor and African Americans After Midterm Elections
    07 Dec 2022
    The Biden administration and congress forced railroad workers to accept a contract without paid sick leave and Jackson, Mississippi residents face an administration consent decree on water…
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us