It’s Been A While

I remember when

the afro was a statement

not a style

but that was forty years ago

so it’s been a while

Then, young black women

and young black men

took a stand

made demands

risked life and limb

Freedom was the cry/and equality

and mass upon mass of blacks

marched mile upon mile

but that was forty years ago

so it’s been a while

Now we’re built for lovin’

And…we be thuggin’

And…the whole world loves us

‘cause…

we don’t get down!

And the things on which

 we once reflected

we’ve rejected

and become caricatures of ourselves

clowns!

But I remember the voices

of Malcolm, Martin, and Stokley

Huey, Eldrige, and Bobby, H Rapp Brown

but that was forty years ago

and they’re all silent now!

Derek Crockett

(c) 2007 Main Street Music All Rights Reserved