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


  • Tunde Osazua
    Violence and Extraction in Mozambique: How Neo-Colonial Forces and Corporate Interests Undermine Security
    13 Nov 2024
    Western corporate interests have targeted Mozambique to exploit its natural resources, using tactics of destabilization and neoliberal austerity measures to weaken the nation. While these imperialist…
  • Anthony Karefa Rogers-Wright
    Unprincipled, Unstrategic, and Unsustainable: e(U)logy for the U.S. Climate “Movement”
    13 Nov 2024
    The ineffectiveness of the climate movement during the 2024 election signals its inevitable collapse. But from the rubble, a new movement dedicated to the working class can be built.
  • Fedaa al-Qedra
    Palestinian surgeon survives Sde Teiman and Ofer Prison
    13 Nov 2024
    The heartwrenching story of Dr. Khaled Al Serr is a haunting example of the barbarity of the Israeli entity and the strength of the Palestinian people.
  • Stanley Kwabla Arku
    Niger to Host Conference in Solidarity with the Sahel Amid its Anti-Imperialist Upsurge
    13 Nov 2024
    Activists from across Africa and the world will gather in Niger from November 19 to 21 for the “Conference in Solidarity with the Peoples of the Sahel”.
  • Noah Hurowitz
    Congress Is About to Gift Trump Sweeping Powers to Crush His Political Enemies
    13 Nov 2024
    The House is set to vote Tuesday on a bill that would let the administration destroy nonprofits it claims support terrorism.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us