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Color Blind Deaf and Dumb.
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| Article Type: | Poem |
| Subject: | Poetry |
| Author: | Duncan-Fowler, Loretta |
| Pub Date: | 11/01/2010 |
| Publication: | Name: Journal of Pan African Studies Publisher: Journal of Pan African Studies Audience: Academic Format: Magazine/Journal Subject: Social sciences Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2010 Journal of Pan African Studies ISSN: 0888-6601 |
| Issue: | Date: Nov, 2010 Source Volume: 4 Source Issue: 1 |
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| Accession Number: | 306754365 |
| Full Text: |
Loretta (La-Rue') Duncan-Fowler was born in Boston, MA. La-Rue
is an author, poet, singer, songwriter, and performance poet. Her debut
book, My Deepest Affections are Yours--Love Poems, received wide
recognition. She is a member of the performing groups Born 2 Be Poets,
2nd Born, and Uptown Poets. Born 2 Be Poets and was nominated for the
2001 SOS Music Award in the spoken word category. Her special brand of
poetry is often requested at numerous spoken word, juke joints, club
houses, churches and state fairs across the country and internationally. Spoken word is her ministry gift and she uses it to counter the effects of suicide, hopelessness, lack and insufficiency found in the people today and to let people know that nothing that they have ever been through can ever separate them from God's love! Whether it's hosting a Katrina Benefit or organizing community events to inform people about H1N1 and related health issues. You can find her lecturing and lending her gift of poetry to civic, governmental, religious and charitable organizations. La-Rue has also graced the stage with Grammy Award winning recording artist The Whispers, The Clark Sisters, Shirley Caesar, The God Squad, Joanna Rosario, Vicki Winans, and Fred Hammond. Neo Soul/Rhythm and Blues recording artist Bilal and Goapele; Blues Hall of Fame percussionist, vocalist, and blues man Mr. Big John Evans. She also wrote and recorded the song Wretched Man with notable gospel and blues guitarist Odell Ross Jr. La-Rue has appeared as a guest on the international news television program Night Line with Ted Koppel, and several local talk shows including Look Whose Talking and Good Day Sacramento advocating for the rights of her disabled son to attend the Sacramento public school system. La-Rue' continues to perform and host her own spoken word show, An Evening of Poetry w/Ms. La-Rue', and the Mood Blue's Poetry Series. Most recently she appeared in the national television advertisement for the Kymora Lee Body Slimmer. La-Rue is also a member of The American Poets Society, she has a Bachelors degree in Computer and Information Sciences, and lives in Sacramento, California. The above is from her book In Search of A Father's Love (2010). Color Blind Deaf and Dumb
(Dedicated to the People of the Gulf Coast-USA Hurricane Katrina)
I am a fourth generation American
West Indian
American
Haitian and Cuban-Spanish and French blood running
warm in my veins
I was born in this country--America
I have no claim to Haiti nor does my soul long for Cuban sunsets
The only place I really know is here and now!
So
Why did my country turn its back on me the day it called my people
refugees and then splatter on the new that we were Looters and
Thieves!
I know I live in California but the natural disaster called Katrina
happened to me the day my country called my people refugees
It was no longer them or those people in trouble
Life's, Hopes and Dreams washed away by the sea or blown away
on the windy breezes of change
And again
White men have gone and changed the game
And all this time I've been living in Color Blind and Deaf and Dumb
California
With my mind geared towards Terrorism
More worried about an Arab man destroying my way of life
More concerned that my Brothers and Sisters over in Iraq were
losing
their lives on a daily
More concerned with bringing Freedom and Justice to some
other peoples land
When there is still no Freedom and Justice for my people
right here in America
I've been spoon fed the same rhetoric about
The War On Terrorism
And
The War On Drugs
And
No Child Left Behind
I've placed Red, White, and Blue flag bumper stickers on my car
Just to prove my Patriotism
Whether or Not I agree with the politics of the day
We are all one people--Americans
So I ask again why did my country turn its back on me the day
it called my people refugees.
Katrina just didn't destroy houses and land and lives
It unmasked the true feeling of a Government. It unmasked the
hypocrisy of a Nation and left her open to shame and ridicule.
How can we seek Democracy in another land, in another place,
in another time--when here we as a people can't pass the color
line--the line of poverty, of sickness and death, of hate and
greed.
We preach in God we trust. When God can't trust us.
He can't trust us with the basic commandments of life
Which is to
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
Which is to
Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them To Do Unto You
My country would rather Hear No Evil, See No Evil, and Speak No
Evil!
While a genocide goes on, on the daily right before our eyes
The Revolution is being televised
But as for me I'll just keep surviving in Color Blind and Deaf and
Dumb
California wondering why my country--My
Country tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty
For thee I sing
Land where my Father died
Land of the Pilgrims pride
From every mountain side
From every mountain side
Let freedom Ring
I'll keep wondering why my country turned its back on me the day it
called my people refugees! |
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