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

State of the Union—or state of Capitalist decay?
Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
12 Mar 2025
🖨️ Print Article
Donald Trump State of the Union
Photo: ABC News

“Every man for himself
and the devil take the hindmost.”

Something’s soothing, lobotomizing, about the snotty
Voice flooding from Fox-boxes. Something’s
Lobotomizing about an ignorant comedian coming to
Kill—but bombing—yet, still killing …

Something’s soothing about Jumping Jack Fascists—
Springing up at every absurd utterance and
Thunder of rattling rubbish. Their hand bones
Fracturing from clapping so damn loud—so long …

Something’s soothing about Jumping Jack Fascists
Springing up like they got the Holy Ghost! Fits of
Ecstasy applauding poor people used as props—
Mascots—human shields for class war’s unpopular policies

Something’s soothing about Jumping Jack Fascists
Springing up, sane-washing a lipsticked pig. And face-
Lifting lies about capitalism’s impossible promises to
The People …

Forked tongue tour de force— False from beginning to
End. 1hour, 40 minute Mussolini masterpiece. Il DOGE
Smashed Dr. Goebbels’ Guinness Book of Records for
Orwellian wizardry: misinformation/disinformation/1/2 truths/big lies.

Barren make believe desert. Echo chamber of hollow mockery—
Hypocrisy, humbuggery/thuggery, treachery, treason, truth-less-
Ness and alternative facts where up is down. Bad’s good. Worse
Is better. Woke's worrisome/and straw’s spun orange into fools gold …

Leaning in, listening to bosh-laden blizzards of fabrications—
Falsifications— bleached bone white lies—but not eating the
Dogma does cause trauma. Trauma of two car crashes;
Three boxing matches; And four NFL and hockey games …

Blitzkrieg! Warp speed war on the working-class—
Moving fast! Breaking things! Things shoe leather, steel spines,
Blood and grit won working people long, long ago.
Things we long to make more muscular, more robust. And for all …

© 2025. Raymond Nat Turner, The Town Crier. All Rights Reserved.

Raymond Nat Turner is a NYC poet; BAR's Poet-in-Residence; and founder/co-leader of the jazz-poetry ensemble UpSurge!NYC. You can Vote for his work at GoFundMe and PayPal.

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


More Stories


  • COP 28 Logo
    Abayomi Azikiwe
    COP28 Summit Concludes with Contradictory Agreement
    20 Dec 2023
    Although the final document calls for “transitioning” from fossil fuels, many developing states and territories wanted stronger language and economic commitments.
  • Two demonstrators standing side by side with one holding Palestine flag and other holding DR Congo flag
    Black Alliance For Peace
    AFRICOM Watch Bulletin #49
    20 Dec 2023
    The Black Alliance for Peace AFRICOM Watch Bulletin has the latest news from the African continent. AFRICOM Watch Bulletin #49 emphasizes the urgency for Africans and working-class people worldwide…
  • Black Agenda Radio December 15, 2023
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Black Agenda Radio December 15, 2023
    15 Dec 2023
    The Gaza relief effort, construction of the Ouanaminthe Canal in Haiti, and an improved process for crime survivor compensation in New York State.
  • Congressional Candidate John Parker and the Gaza Relief Effort
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Congressional Candidate John Parker and the Gaza Relief Effort
    15 Dec 2023
    John Parker is Coordinator of the Harriet Tubman Center for Social Justice in Los Angeles and a candidate for a congressional seat in California’s 37th District.
  • Construction of the Ouanaminthe Canal in Haiti, Part 1
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Construction of the Ouanaminthe Canal in Haiti, Part 1
    15 Dec 2023
    Construction of the Ouanaminthe Canal is a declaration of self-determination for the Haitian people.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us