Greg Gaul Poet Couplet

Righting American History

America's had lots of heroes through the years
Helping the world overcome many fears
Humankind hasn't always been kind
Look closely at history, see what you find

Our founders succeeded and failed many ways
People of color not treated fairly those early days
Three fifths a human is a void left incomplete
An error future generations destined to repeat

Indigenous people's abuse not a matter of pride
Devastation of natives a story history did hide
The Iroquois Confederacy gave us our republic's design
Its novel concept: states and nation's powers align
All of which helped founders form this great nation
We repaid this gift by invoking near annihilation

The Statue of Liberty invited all to come in
Remember our promise once again can begin
Supremacy, Eugenics, Ethnic biases towards the other
Can result in policies separating a child from a mother

In the last great war the Japanese here were incarcerated
Their concentration camps long since have been eliminated
Still the attitudes of ethnic discrimination persist
We always fall prey to what we resist

Much that hurts you is what you don't know
Amazing how deep "Bigoted Suffrage Suppression" did go
All minorities' suffering here has been vast
Here's how it plays out in the recent past:
1920: Women first get to vote
1924: Native Americans first get to vote
1943: Chinese citizens first get to vote
1946: Asian Indian citizens first get to vote
1950: Asian native born first get to vote
1952: Japanese citizens first get to vote
1965: African Americans first get to vote
Bigotry is deeper and bigger than you knew

Power and domination over others does not make right
Today, we must deal with all minorities' plight
It's our nation's unrealized promise that all will be free
Our union depends on the promise that we all can be
Created equal is what makes us all as one
When we get there as a nation, our work will be done

Every great society has dark secrets untoward
Looking back helps us see our way forward
This is why truth always makes a difference
Lost civilization's ethics is their lasting evidence
America's still young as history does show
Compassion and integrity will light where we go

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Christuraj Alex December 11, 2021 at 3:55 AM "Indigenous people's abuse not a matter of pride Devastation of natives a story history did hide" - A beautiful writing with a detailed chronology. The poem is very powerful. Congratulations! Greg Gaul December 11, 2021 at 6:50 AM This is always helpful when thoughtful people like you recognize just how important this message is for our country to hear. Thank you so much for your visit, most appreciated.

Rico Leffanta June 11, 2018 at 8:39 PM Currently it is, "Suffer little children to go somewhere else!", but nice review! Aloha! Rico Greg Gaul June 12, 2018 at 8:18 AM You obviously are aware of much of this. My hope is to influence others, those who do not know. Thanks for your read and comment.

Arturo Michael June 11, 2018 at 6:57 PM A great write my friend...A documentation of where we've reached since then...very good...All the best Greg Greg Gaul June 12, 2018 at 8:20 AM Thanks so much for your comments. Advocacy poetry may be able to influence and inform, at least I hope so. Much appreciated.