Beyond Selma
My family marched peacefully in Selma that day,
Hoping Martin’s spirit would lift us far away
From prejudice and violence that perpetrators
Had cast on us for centuries in the USA.
“Land of the free,” a misnomer of limitation,
For a country where whites had the sole celebration.
Heads held high, we didn’t fight back, even when attacked,
Knowing enmity was not God’s plan in creation.
We sacrificed our King to the Civil Rights Movement,
Hoping his achievements would reflect a life well spent.
But hooded devils continue to rear callous heads
Denying equality, our lawful, lone intent.
Florida visitor Talmadge Branch was turned away;
In a back room of a bar owners told him to stay.
Prosecution by Florida’s attorney general
Put Civil Rights violations again on display.
My brothers, my sisters, we’ve yet to achieve our goal --
Too many of us in prison, slight chance of parole.
Indignities abroad cause the US to lash out
While, peacefully, our families we struggle to console.
To learn more about Talmadge Branch, visit:
http://cnsnews.com/news/article/florida-bar-owners-could-lose-license-over-racism-complaint
*Written February 28, 2015
Copyright © Carolyn Devonshire | Year Posted 2015
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