My eyes awakened to a world today
That they do not really understand
For this world will not accept me
As the young man that I really am
Society has had a tendency to dictate
A world of hard life for one like me
Because of my skins darker color
Because of what their eyes daily see
Will there ever be hope In my life
Of being more than what they say I am
Why do I have to work ten times as hard
As my brother in God, a Caucasian man
I am a constant victim of a daily outrage
Which has lasted for far too many years
And I wonder if I’ll ever be sheltered
From many of my life’s most proven fears
For there is not a place for me to go to
From this savage land where I was born
And I find myself continually an outcast
While in my country I daily taste its scorn
Though I am akin to the Africans, the Asians,
The Europeans and Native Americans the same
In my country, they won’t accept my true identity
Refusing to recognize my color has a real name
For my color isn’t black as I’m constantly told
And neither white as they try to conform me to be
My color is of natures beautiful red-brown pecan
For this is the true color each day my eyes see.
By Wendell A. Brown
Written October 1971 at the age of 20
Encountering racism in southern Missouri,
And the racism still exists today for
People of color. Our color was created by
God equally, and yet over 40 years later.
We still encounter hatred, because of our
Color.
Copyrighted and all rights reserved.
A version First appeared in American
Diversity Report.com. 2010.
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
1971 TO 2918—HUMANITY HASN’T CHANGED MUCH HAS IT? EXCEPT FOR A GOD-GIVEN CHANGE IN HEART…!
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Great post Wendell! I’m so honored to called you friend and brother!!! Love and hugs, N 🙂 ❤ xoxo
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I see not your color, but the colorful soul you share! We are all the same. Some day, I pray, we will really be as one xo
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We are all brothers and sister. Everyone, regardless of origin, color, health-condition, culture, religion, profession… we are all coming from the same creating source of love. We are all equally worthy, we all carry God’s light which makes us brothers and sisters. It is wonderful and amazing in how many different ways God created His children in order that we can make the visual difference a connecting aspect that completes us all. We are one! I love your poem. Thank you for sharing this awareness in that loving way only you can. I am happy and thankful that we are siblings and have met in this lifetime, Wendell!
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Reblogged this on Erika Kind and commented:
We are all one – we are all brothers and sister, created by the same source of love!
Please read this moving poem and important message by our wonderful Wendell. It is sad that it is still so timely but that way even more important to spread awareness about it!
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Thanks Erika, I have always seen things one way…its a blessing from God! We are all one together! God bless!
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That view is what the majority of us has to learn or actually remember – mostly through experience. Thank you very much for being a guiding light. We are one and have always been. God bless you too, Wendell!
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Colors of skin are to protect me from the sun. Hot climate made me dark and cold winter turned me white. In between from two extreme I took up different shades and look how many races on earth face.
Physical appearance is not mine to credit or discredit because it’s not my creation.
I am created by God to serve my purpose and not join rat race.
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Love your comment, dear sister! We were all created by a wonderful God to be equal members of humankind! God bless!
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Thank you
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