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Message For Whites

You're bracing for the hubristic lecture it's not here The crux: unvarnished understanding of how blacks see their outlook for life Only narrow options: they can give in, go through or go around - a predicate path Try to feel what it's like to be born black today soul-deadening suppression systemically smothers patience Crime, drugs, gangs, rebellious pride seem viable options for those who may not see thirty four thousand lynchings in Jim Crow South till now do lives matter Blacks feel the constant fight Blacks feel identity loss Blacks feel crime gives cover Blacks feel numbing is okay Blacks feel tribal is safe Blacks feel whites are asleep Anthropologists say humanity has Nubian origins from the beginning we are one Gandhi, Mandela, King were proponents of compassion, forgiveness, love some whites reciprocate with ignoring, masking, denial too few understand Blacks feel trapped

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John Watt

Date: 6/15/2020 10:15:00 AM

Greg, thank you for your contribution to the contest, and congrats for your placement. You've written of some very good points to be reminded of. ~ John

Greg Gaul
Date: 6/15/2020 5:37:00 PM

John, I appreciate your visit and also your work having seen your own recent placements. No doubt, this was a tricky topic, making your comments all the more encouraging. Thanks.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 6/15/2020 7:33:00 AM

I hope so Greg, do drop by for a visit.

Greg Gaul
Date: 6/15/2020 5:35:00 PM

Thanks Richard.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 6/14/2020 6:58:00 PM

Thanks for your response and intention. The contest was open to all people of colour who have had to deal with racism as a result of their skin colour/ culture. Being many people do not have Avatars I have no way of telling. It is not my intention to single you out. Forgive my assumption that you ignored the spirit of the contest.

Greg Gaul
Date: 6/14/2020 7:08:00 PM

Thanks for your understanding and openness. Awkward as this turned out, I have no ill feelings toward you at all. It may seem strange but I think the contest may have actually opened some minds. That's a good thing.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 6/14/2020 4:12:00 PM

Unfortunately I am not able to change the results of the contest because it is finalized. I’m disappointed that you entered against the rules of the contest and the contests intent. By doings so you prevented someone with direct experience from being able to tell their story. I am not denying the significance of the piece but rather that you chose to ignore the spirit of the contest.

Greg Gaul
Date: 6/14/2020 5:59:00 PM

Apologies. I did not understand that white people were excluded. Had I known that, I would not have entered. I took your instructions ( just reread them) as you were looking for the insights of persons of color. In this case blacks. I faithfully delivered that. You could have found out I was white with a soup mail. I had no intent to confuse or misrepresent. Actually, just the opposite. I was excited that you were looking for a true representation. Sorry this happened. There were other white entrants though. I've been tied up today, so forgive me if I have not been prompt to respond. Be well.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 6/14/2020 1:14:00 PM

Please explain what you mean by advocacy poem? Thanks Rick.

Greg Gaul
Date: 6/14/2020 3:17:00 PM

Advocacy poetry promotes a cause. This is systemic racism. Input for this came directly from personal interviews with several black convicts, one had done 20 years for armed robbery. His comments were most articulate. I am white and was part of a not for profit group working with black convicts trying to reenter society. This poem is highly charged. Sam Hamill and other poets did advocacy poetry recently. You may disagree, I respect that, but the content is not imagined or made up by me.

Krish Radhakrishna

Date: 6/14/2020 11:53:00 AM

Congrats on a brilliant write and your top win! To be discriminated against is the worst thing one can experience. Let’s hope the future generation gets better education and changes for the better.

Greg Gaul
Date: 6/14/2020 3:20:00 PM

you are so correct. Thanks for supporting the cause and I appreciate your kind comments.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 6/14/2020 10:28:00 AM

Hi Greg, I noticed that you commented that this is an advocacy poem. Am I to assume you are not a person of colour? Please let me know as I will need to modify the results. If this is true to your personal experience, I wish to honour your words. Either way The poetry is exceptional and moving.

Greg Gaul
Date: 6/14/2020 11:45:00 AM

This is an advocacy poem. Thanks for your award.

Susan Ashley

Date: 6/11/2019 8:34:00 PM

Your potent pen poignantly depicts a sad truth that so many must endure and far too many don't see or don't want to see. A compelling message for humanity, about lack thereof, spilled from your vivid and powerful ink, Greg. Congratulations on your excellent win. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Greg Gaul
Date: 6/11/2019 10:28:00 PM

Susan, this is an edgy topic that insights strong response often. Your support and kind remarks are most helpful and make me feel that it's worth it.

Line Gauthier

Date: 6/7/2019 11:03:00 PM

Congrats on your win, Greg, with this insightful poem.

Greg Gaul
Date: 6/8/2019 5:48:00 PM

Thank you Line. As an advocacy poem, this is a challenging verse. Your understanding and kind comments are most welcome.

Elaine George

Date: 4/26/2018 7:36:00 AM

Very powerful! what you have written here. Greg. Why do so many humans feel the need to tear others down to build themselves up? It is my belief that there is only one race of people on this earth - the human race.

Greg Gaul
Date: 4/26/2018 8:05:00 PM

Elaine, you get it. We need more people who think in the first place and think like you. Kindness and compassion will win out. Thank you for your comment and the read.