Freedom

Poet: Ken Jordan Poem: Freedom Edited by: Sparkle Jordan written: March/2013 I grew up  in the  south, where spanish moss  hanged heavy  from  oak tree's - Where hound dogs  roamed  dirt roads tracking down a race of  people,.... Black people, America said were free - We were  not free - America, was  "Segregated America," Whites on one side and Blacks on the other - Signs posted told us where  we could  sit  and eat - And "For Colored Only" signs pointed, to  restrooms that we could use - Water  fountains were  prohibited, except the ones outside in the park - I grew up in these  times, where folks with black skin, were called "colored," and a few other words that lowered our self esteem - A time when we were lynched, and  hanged from  southern  trees - A time when brutal and ruthless  killings of many black family's became  routine, and the perpetrator's were never brought to trial - America said we were free - We were not free - I grew up in these  times - When  a black man couldn't look  at a white  woman - They  called it wreck-less eye balling, which carried a sentence of death - I've seen the vicious dogs attack us in the street on  command from police - We had to fight  for our  civil rights, through protest; boycotts, And  when we gathered to march the police beat us down in the streets - I grew up in these times - When they assassinated Civil Rights Activist Medgar Evers, in 63 - A few months later they bombed the 16th Street Baptist Church, in Birmingham, killing four little black girls as they sang and prayed in a place of peace - I grew up in these times - I watched on T.V. Dr. King deliver his historic  "I Have A Dream" speech - He had hoped that someday all men regardless of ethnicity  could live  together in  harmony - Sadly, he was assassinated in 68. I've seen the million man march on Washington D.C. to promote unity - I grew up in these times - America said we were free - We were not free -