Anil Deo Poet Rhyme

Who Invented the Coolie

I
retired from education, sharing with (not scaring)
OUR YOUTH
oblivious of persistent prejudice, labor migrant past piercing 
the present
until i left America for South Africa, returning to Natal nativity,
COMPLEX TRUTH
missionary in Eastern Cape province, an elder of Newtown blurted:
"coolie man"
Yes, siblings, labels like "Hotnot, Coolie, kaffir" are rife, despite
LEGISLATION

II
A missionary, absent from South Africa for 15 years straight, no
VISITS
My life, wife, and children lived on America's East Coast then:
PROVIDENTIAL
Now, with a new family in my native land, I am stunned I'm The
"COOLIE"
Yes, it hurts. My ancestors came as virtual slaves on British ships:
LABOR MIGRATION
They may have worked as porters, "coolies" in India and China then:
PAST SINS
Continue in Nelson Mandela's South Africa, against "Hotnot and Coolie,"
STILL
Who made these words commonplace in so many places:
TRINIDAD, Jamaica, Guyana, Africa?

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Jennifer Proxenos December 5, 2021 at 5:40 AM Was disgusted when derogatory terms used when referring to non-white races in South Africa, did white people not hear names they were called rednecks, boers, crunchies. I lived in Zambia for 5 years before we came to SA, was flabbergasted, such a cultural shock, best friends in ZAMBIA Beatrice Mushumbulwa, Shusheila and Shandrika Mystry and Jane Laycock. Our Rainbow Nation is diverse in SOUTH AFRICA and WILL become the cornerstone of an economically much envied country. Hugs, blessings, JENN.

Victor Buhagiar December 4, 2021 at 8:31 AM I assume Coolie is a derogatory slur. But don't you worry. Jesus was called many such a derogatory slur. You continue with your work. Blessings to you. I haven't heard from Lisa for a long time. We were such friends. I'll send her your regards. Anil Deo December 4, 2021 at 8:59 AM Thanks a million, Victor. You are such a gentle soul (I wrote it as therapy. And nations will enforce slurs against some groups, but not those against other - smaller groups. Always political calculations whose vote is weightier, LOL!) shalom, shalom Victor