The emancipation proclamation address was in 1863.
It very clearly stated that the black man is now free.
In the midst of a civil war, Lincoln took a stand,
that all man are indeed equal in this glorious land.
But take a short step back through time, and show me what’s been achieved.
Just last week a black man died by a racist white man’s knee.
Jim Crow was law of the land just over 50 years ago,
I wonder if Lincoln would have believed how we treated the black man so.
Not till 1968 did we end destructive segregation.
How proud should we really be of this freedom ringing nation.
I am not a black man, nor would I wish to be.
For I would fear walking in their shoes, knowing what might be done to me.
I am sure I will never understand the plight they suffer today.
We are not a racist country, but racists are still at bay.
But where do we go from here, as our country is burning down?
How do we stop the violence occurring in every town.
I have no answers to give, there is no victory to be won.
I can only pray that soon, America becomes one.
Yes, we’ve made progress, for all races, things are better,
But one should not have to fear walking down a street in a hoodie sweater.
We have to find a way to repair hundreds of years of pain.
It can’t be done with empty words, as black men still are slain. Let us reach out to our God to make us greater men,
Maybe it’s time for Jesus to save us all again.
Violence to protest violence, cannot be the resolve we take.
It must began with all of us, ending all the hate.
My mother wrote over 50 years ago of a “Civil War That Never Ended”
Who knew how prophetic she was, and this poem it’s addendum.
My heart walks with those that protest, but not those that destroy.
May God come to all our hearts and fill with love and joy.