In Honor of Flag Day.. A Poem by Marvin X...
When I'll Wave The Flag
I'll wave the flag
When the trillions in reparations are paid to the
African American Nation
For 400 years of being terrorized in America
When the bill of the Middle Passage is paid
When the bill from the cotton fields is paid
I'll wave the flag
When the damages due the descendents of mass murder
is paid
Mass kidnapping
Mass rape
I'll wave the flag
When the police stop terrorizing us for breathing
while black
Walking while black
Loving while black
I'll wave the flag
When the 2 million men and women in prison are
released
for petty crimes
And those guilty of stealing elections take their
place
in the cells
I'll wave the flag
When those guilty of stealing labor, stealing
energy,
stealing souls of the poor are jailed
I'll wave the flag
When those guilty of the miseducation of our
children are
jailed for crimes against humanity
I'll wave the flag
When those who terrorize the earth, pollute the
earth,
poison the food, the water, the air
Inject animals with hormones
Genetically alter vegetables and fruits
When these people are taken before the world court
for
terrorizing the world
I'll wave the flag
Until then
Kiss my motherfuckin' ass.
2001 Marvin X.
posted by Faheem @ 6/14/2005 09:50:00 AM
9 comments
9 Comments:
I understand why Marvin X’s putrid, festering, shit of a poem is meaningful to you. I also understand that you’re striving for effect not quality – but DAMN brother! Langston Hughes said it all before; but with much more beauty, grace, ardor, and aplomb. If you’re interested in reading wonderful poetry that addresses the black experience, I suggest purchasing “The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes,” (Vintage Press, 1994). He’s my personal favorite…
Here’s a sample of Hughes’ brilliance (these poems were written between 1921-1930:
“JUSTICE”
That justice is a blind goddess
Is a thing to which we black are wise.
Her bandage hides two festering sores
That once perhaps were eyes.
“LAMENT FOR DARK PEOPLES”
I was a red man one time,
But the white men came.
I was a black man, too,
But the white men came.
They drove me out of the forest.
They took me away from the jungles.
I lost my trees.
I lost my silver moons.
Now they’ve caged me
In the circus of civilization.
Now I herd with the many –
Caged in the circus of civilization.
Renu
Renu, I show do apoligize that Brother Marvin X poem was not beautiful, full of grace, ardor and aplomb, were you offended by it? I am sure you still got the message so who gives a damn what you think of the Poem. I have no beef with brother Langston Hughes, I love his poetry as well, but the occassion called for Marvin X not Langston Hughes.
Who gives a damn what “you” think of the poem Faheem? Probably not many… Besides, what does that have to do with anything?
I have no beef with brother X; I just think he needs to familiarize himself with the poetic geniuses of his culture. I agree with the poem, I just think it sucks ass! (It’s what I like to call a “trauma narrative of internalized victimization;” and it's poorly written to make matters worse). The poem’s only offense is it’s crass simplicity and stinking, overbearing, lameness. If you’re going to invoke black poetry, at least draw from the crowning jewels of African-American literary culture. That’s just my opinion.
Besides, Langston Hughes is appropriate for every occasion…
Renu
Renu, you have it twisted. I did not present Marvin X poem to be critiqued as to how it fit in the whole poetry realm. This is not a poetry judging contest, No Russel Simmons here. The Poem was presented because of the words and their relevance, I dont care how this poem is perceived in relation to other poetry. It appears to me that you take offense to the Poem form rather than its substance and to me that sound a bit personal.
It should “appear to you” that way because that’s exactly what I said… You’re going for “effect,” not quality. Like I said, I value the poem’s spirit of resistance; it just stinks on hot ice! Bad writing (speaking etc.) always offends me, because it’s endemic within the black community. And yes, I take that very personal. We have to learn to articulate ourselves better. That’s why I advocate studying and learning from our great black literary geniuses. But I guess that’s too much to ask.
How can words have substance if they’re articulated poorly? All of our great black leaders and literary types knew this.
Anyway, you obviously love the poem, and that’s cool. If it makes you feel empowered, then I suppose it has value.
Renu
It seems as if Renu and Mrs Jones (aka Nat Turner Jones) demonstrate the same degree of disdain of literary form. When one purchases a product that comes in a box, should one be more concerned with the beauty and quality of the box or that of the product within? An excellent quality produce can be contained in a dull and imperfect box, while an inferior product can be contained within a symmetrically flawless, unblemished, eye catching and impressive looking box. Does the say….don’t judge a book by its cover resonate with anyone else but me?
One should make a distinction and difference between the message content and the message form. What we present on this blog is not presented to be judged on literary form and grammatical perfection. Rather, rather, our target audience is the audience that will judge the veracity of the facts and logical reasoning, notwithstanding grammatical or literary imperfections. A small minority of Americans poses the type of literary skill sets that would lead to them being offended by this blogs presentation. We attempt to communicate to the general rule of grammar of the average America, not the exceptions. Personally, I am also bound by this limitation because my literary skills are indeed…typical.
You guys are acting like one of you wrote that rancid turd of a poem. Is Faheem Marvin X? I personally didn’t pick on anyone’s grammar, so I don’t see why that’s even being brought up here. Save the rationalizations for your educational insecurities and bad [quality produce/dull box] analogies for Nat Turner. I’m sure he’ll be interested.
Anyway, all I’m saying is that; if you’re going to cite African-American poetry, just cite the best our culture has to offer.
Renu
Educational insecurities….LOL. My education and income puts above the 75th percentile. I see that as a blessing and not insecurity…but knock yourself out dog.
I don’t think you comprehended what Faheem was saying, do you? Was it to “low brow” for you? You kill my with your pseudo intellectual mannerism as if literary acumen is the sole manifestation of intelligence or “what’s best”. You sound like some boorish English major fixated on form to the degree that you refuse to attempt to understand anything that is not written with grammatical perfections.
Deciding what is best is dependent upon ones GOAL or what MESSAGE, in this instance, which the presenter is attempting to convey. As the receiver of the message, one is not QUALIFIED to say what is “best”, without being able to bare witness to the goal of the sender.
I’m happy that you’re in the 75th percentile Noah. I want my black brothers to be successful. “Play on player, and thanks for sharing!”
Anyway, like I said, save all that prattling for Nat Turner, he’s the grammar police. You’re confused as to whom you are speaking with fella. I said “nothing” about grammar. I just hated that dismal and inadequate attempt at poetry.
Instead of lashing out at me, just read some Langston Hughes (or any of our great African-American writers). If being well read and knowledgeable of our wonderful historical legacy of African-Diasporic literature is a problem here… well DAMN!
If knowing and appreciating the great works of black culture makes me “highbrow”… well double DAMN!
I was naïve to think that would be appreciated here.
Let’s move on shall we?
Renu
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