by Dr Chichester Toney
Arnos Vale, St. Vincent, 2009

You are not a “nigger” as you are forced to believe
a nigger’s history, can only be traced back to slavery
you are more than the descendants of the remnants
Of those who survived the middle passage
yes, most of us came from the same ship
Taking the same trip
And felt the same whip
Grandchildren of the doors of “no return”
you are above racial “profiling”
Take the shackles off of your mind
My sisters, you are no “nappy-headed” woes
My brothers, you are no “banana eating” jungle monkey
Your colour does not make you less than human
It just makes you different
Take your place in a world that is afraid of you
Not for what you are, but for what you can become
A world afraid to mentor you in wealth creation and innovation
Yes, they are afraid to teach you “not to sell yourself cheaply”
Not to fear failure and to stand on your own two feet
Love yourself! Hunger for knowledge and success!
The man who wins is the man who sees the end and not the journey
Strive for love, courage, respect and faith
Endeavour to be happy, have compassion, and search for your purpose
Once you cam dream it, believe me you can do it
Don’t forget your history while keeping steadfast to your destiny
My sister, understand and cherish motherhood
My brother, fatherhood is serious business
And in your hands lie the architects of the next generation
Plan for tomorrow by spending less than you earn
Save what you don’t spend and invest a part of what you saved
Blacks in America and beyond!
How could you not cry for Darfur and Ethiopia?
How could you not sigh for Haiti?
How could you not weep for the people of Zimbabwe?
How could you not beg for the unjust embargo to be lifted off Cuban people?
How can you have talks at WTO and forget the Caribbean?
How could you slumber and don’t think about the impoverished people all over?
Black people, White people, Yellow people and the in-betweens
A shackled man anywhere is a threat to freedom everywhere
My blood brothers, stop being blind visionaries
Not because the vehicle has changed velocity means you are better off
for you’re not, you are still in the back seat
And even though it appears that you’re in the driver’s seat in the USA
It doesn’t mean you are in control
You’re a man, black like the ace of spades and come in different shades
Your wooly hair is black and comely
Your full size nose and lips define you
THE JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES BEGINS WITH A SINGLE STEP
BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL TOO, WE ARE ONE PEOPLE, ONE RACE, ONE DESTINY