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

“No Matter What Sign You Are,”4th Supreme
Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
16 Jan 2019
🖨️ Print Article
the supremes
The Supremes

Mary was mysterious,
but the best dancer
Diana, the magnetic,
cooing romancer—
But, here’s a secret I know:
cats like me dug Miss Flo—
And the 4th Supreme’s ‘fro!

The 4th Supreme came
Singing tones ‘tween
Douglass and Carmen McRae—
Malcolm X and Lady Day

The 4th Supreme came
Singing “Stop In The Name Of Love!”
by way of Brandeis/Bombing-ham—
hitting Dynamite Hill high notes

The 4th Supreme came
Singing “Reflections”
in silver bracelets, on a
Newsweek cover captioned:
“Red, Black and Wanted!”

Hoover hated her harmonies with millions…
But I heard, “Set me free, why don’t you, babe?”
Rocking me to “ …Try Something New:”
Dialectics…

 

The 4th Supreme came
Singing, “I Hear A Symphony—”
“No Matter What Sign You Are,”
in ’08—but I
forgive her and comrades
and friends for singing flat
Madison Avenue smash hits: “Yes,
we can and bottle Jim Jones Juice;”
“regime Change you can believe in—”
delivering “Nothing But Heartaches” to
Honduras, Libya, Syria, Mother Africa…

© 2018. Raymond Nat Turner, The Town Crier. All Rights Reserved.
Raymond Nat Turner, our poet in residence, is an accomplished performing artist. You can find much more of his work at http://upsurgejazz.com.

poetry

Do you need and appreciate Black Agenda Report articles? Please click on the DONATE icon, and help us out, if you can.


More Stories


  • Ukraine 2023: Black Agenda Report Special Issue
    The Editors
    Ukraine 2023: Black Agenda Report Special Issue
    22 Feb 2023
    This issue of Black Agenda Report focuses on the U.S. role in the Ukraine crisis.
  • Black Politics and Ukraine
    Margaret Kimberley, BAR Executive Editor and Senior Columnist
    Black Politics and Ukraine
    22 Feb 2023
    The Ukraine project is a dangerous scam perpetrated on the people of this country. Yet no member of the Congressional Black Caucus has attempted to speak truthfully about this ongoing disaster.
  • SPEECH: Racism Was Central to the Invasion, Albert Barrow, 1990
    Editors, The Black Agenda Review
    SPEECH: Racism Was Central to the Invasion, Albert Barrow, 1990
    22 Feb 2023
    Remembering the 1989 US invasion of Panama as a racist attack on Black people.
  • Why Embracing Anti-Colonialism Made Malcolm a Marked Man
    ​​​​​​​ Ajamu Baraka, BAR editor and columnist
    Why Embracing Anti-Colonialism Made Malcolm a Marked Man
    22 Feb 2023
    Malcolm X was a legendary revolutionary who is still loved by millions of people. The anniversary of his assassination is an opportunity to reflect on his impact.
  • The Israel of Africa
    Ann Garrison, BAR Contributing Editor
    The Israel of Africa
    22 Feb 2023
    Rwanda and Israel reinforce each other's license to kill based on past victimization, and Rwanda supports Israel at the African Union.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us