Sean Mcdonald Poet Free verse

I Am An African

I am an African
Not black, not colored
Definitely not a *****.

Do not call me out of my name for I am not what you think I am. 

Am I that black man in the streets
That doesn't know
What to do 
And where to go

Am I that drug dealer
Roaming late at night
That's looking for that cop
So that I can start a fight

Am I that parent
That was looking for that thrill
But now has to pay child support 
And can't even pay my bills

Am I that brother 
That walks all around town 
That should have his head up
But always has it down

NO I am an African.

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Poet Destroyer A September 2, 2015 at 1:10 PM hi Sean, once again... I just came back to read your second reply on my comment... I too hope that you will read more of my poetry. I have a new one out. Hope about stopping by. I'm on my way to read the title you have listed on the reply below... LINDA

Poet Destroyer A September 2, 2015 at 1:05 PM Hello Sean, stopping by to thank you for the lovely reply on my comemnt... LINDA

Ovidiu Bocsa April 6, 2015 at 6:42 AM I respect you man and poet and your verses must be read so that men discover they belong to the same family,to the same nature,to the same hope of finding the acceptable in this troubled world. Sean Mcdonald September 2, 2015 at 1:04 PM Thank you so much. I am only 14 years old. I have been reading for a long time and have been exposed to works of authors and poets such as Langston Hughes, Gil Scott-Heron who I have just posted a tribute poem to, entitled "Gil Scott-Heron's Dead", Paul Laurence Dunbar, and many others. These men and women are my inspirations. But my biggest inspirations are the Creator and my mother and father. I thank you for the positive feedback.

Poet Destroyer A April 5, 2015 at 9:38 PM SEAN :) Congratulations!! <3 you are one of the poetry soups Top and Hottest Poet, -this month. I hope you enjoyed Your Easter Weekend PLUS, Your name on the featured page of the ~Best New Poet~ Enjoy the coming week. Love LINDA Sean Mcdonald September 2, 2015 at 1:07 PM Thank you so much. I hope that you will read more of my poetry. I have just uploaded a poem entitled, "Gil Scott-Heron's Dead", which is a tribute to Gil Scott-Heron, who is one of my favorite poets next to Langston Hughes and many other poets. Sean Mcdonald September 2, 2015 at 1:00 PM I'm sorry that I just got this message now. I went to check and i realized I wasn't there. OOPS! But I am glad that I was one of the Top and Hottest Poets! I LOVE POETRYSOUP!!!!!!!

Ayesha Karim April 5, 2015 at 7:57 PM I love this poem. That's what I am too if one questions "Are you American?" and "Am I not?" I love the declaration you are making here. I really do. It takes a lot of self examination to boil one down to one's identity.

Larry Berdoo April 5, 2015 at 11:36 AM Sean McDonald, Soberring! Never can relate, only a humble ear.

Kenisha Shines March 23, 2015 at 11:30 AM well constructed write.have a great day.

Poet Destroyer A March 20, 2015 at 12:44 PM Sean, A nice warm WELCOME to poetry soup. I hope you have fun with this wonderful community. You'll find many friendly poets who are ready to support and give positive feedback. I will enjoy following you and your poetry when you are ready :) We are Lucky To Have you. Enjoy 2015, with New Poet Friends @-> LINDA <-@

Skat A March 14, 2015 at 7:22 PM Sean, Stopping by with a nice, sweet Welcome to Poetry Soup. I will get much delight in reading and in time become familiar with your verse. As for now, I will greet you with the same smile others passed when I first joined the soup. Wishing you and your poetry the best. I hope you get to meet all the nice poets around here STARTING with me- SKAT :-) Please drop a hello and tell me a little about yourself if you wish. I would like to be your newest poetry soup "FRIEND" Hugs* SKAT

Jaycee Cervenka March 12, 2015 at 5:15 PM Oh the misnomers of the world. Nice write and very true. We use too many labels that don't really fit. Most African Americans have never even stepped foot onto your continent, so why do we still use that label. Nobody calls me a German American, nor do they try to associate me as such. Good write and Welcome! Sean Mcdonald March 17, 2015 at 8:58 AM I'm actually not from Africa. I consider myself to be African because that is where I descend from. I don't consider myself to be an American because my roots are not in America. My roots are in Africa. Malcolm X said it best,"We are not Americans. We are a people who formerly were Africans who were kidnaped and brought to America."

Cordon Bittner March 12, 2015 at 2:31 PM Very thoughtful. Definitely takes one outside the box. I like it. I've never been to Africa. But I'm inspired to be there some day. For one reason, to dispel stereotypes.