Endurance Unappreciated, Until Now

Endurance Unappreciated, Until Now Forcefully taken from beloved Africa, and brought to fertile Caribbean soil; Sold as much less than merchandise; to unwillingly and unendingly toil. Separated from friends, family and tribe mates and everything known; To be someone’s property and possession: a thing which is fully owned. Others benefitted from our enduring strength and our unfailing effort;; But, they never ever credited, nor appreciated us, for what its’ worth. On the plantations it was House or Field; even then, we had no choice; Only given instructions, shouted at, or whipped; we never had a voice. Stripped of our name, our dignity, our ethnicity and every earthly possession; Losing everything, and gaining nothing, but our daily, miserly provision. Others benefitted from our enduring strength and our unfailing effort;; But, they never ever credited, nor appreciated us, for what its’ worth. Daily and relentlessly, we strove; unceasingly we were required to work; Always cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing, planting or turning a fork.. Shedding blood, sweat and many tears; but never once gaining a cheer; Homesick, physically abused, and, separated from loved ones, so dear. Others benefitted from our enduring strength and our unfailing effort;; But, they have never ever credited, nor appreciated us, for what its’ worth. Through the years; ‘Slavery ended,’ chains broke but, systemic bonds remain; Our Name, our Dignity and our Ethnicity, we’re still striving to fully regain. In this 21st century, “justice, equality and impartiality” for us is still a fallacy. Because, in some people’s minds; “Melanin is still subject to white supremacy.” Others benefitted from our enduring strength and our unfailing effort;; But, they have still never credited, nor appreciated us, for what its’ worth. End By: Dion Penville