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


  • Editors, The Black Agenda Review
    LECTURE: How U.S. Imperialism Ruled Cuba, Armando G. Entralgo, 1965
    24 Jun 2026
    “The U.S.A. decided to annex Cuba economically and Cuba made history by becoming the first country in the world to be a victim of neocolonialism.”
  • Ann Garrison, BAR Contributing Editor
    Could Wemby Become the Conscience of the NBA?
    24 Jun 2026
    NBA superstar Victor Wembanyama grapples with the times we’re living in, even as his career takes off.
  • Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
    War House hosted cage-fighting for 250th what’s next?
    24 Jun 2026
    "War House hosted cage-fighting for 250th what’s next?" is the latest form BAR's Poet-in-Residence.
  • Anthony Karefa Rogers-Wright
    New York City Voters Just Proved that AIPAC is an Electoral Albatross, Will the Democrat Party Establishment Get the Message?
    24 Jun 2026
    The Democrat establishment poured millions into protecting its incumbents in New York City, but voters chose progressive anti-genocide challengers. That party will fight against the reality that…
  • Joshua Reaves Charmelus
    "You Gotta Do the Road Work": Ben Passmore on the UFC, White Nationalism, and Radical Fight Culture
    24 Jun 2026
    Joshua Reaves-Charmelus spoke with Ben Passmore to discuss the “Freedom 250” UFC event, its meaning, and the broader problem of right-wing fighting culture.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us