From: "Rodney Coates" To: "revs@csf.colorado.edu" Date: Wed, 19 Jun 96 15:42:19 +0 Reply-To: "Rodney Coates" Subject: Declaration of Independence in Black Declaration of Independence in Black rodney c./96 We hold these truths to be self-evident, since 1619 there has been a deliberate attempt to destroy, deny, subjugate and annihilate the African in America. When in the course of human events, one people has consistently been utilized as a scapegoat, humiliated as a nonperson, despised as a nonentity it becomes incumbent for that people to understand its vital interests lie in self-preservation, self assurance, self-defense, and self-actualization. Spirit murder, stalking our hood, would destroy our very souls. Clandestine conspirators, connected by hate, charge the ranks. Incendiary plots, devised in ignorance, planted by politics of despair. Psychic terrorists, fanning the flames, claim innocence in the poles. Pseudo-leaders, watching the tube, clamoring to lead the charge waiting, that media moment, 6 o'clock sound bites of their concern. Justice, no just us on one accord, demands that we stand. Freedom, that illusive bird, sings even caged of jubilee. Rage, quiet storms on the horizon, distorted melodies. Americas bitter harvest, hate drugged lunacy, plays the band. Southern hearts, bleeding in the fires, purified by the struggle. Waking from that long sleep, dreamers mount on steeds of steal. Mama's tears, Papa's fears, Sista-Brother all is here, then is now. Marching tall, hope comes at dawn, through this midnight hell. There they rise, amidst the rubble, souls leap steeped in love. Rain, the holy streams of life, washes away past stains. Glare, eyes of the storm, into this future. We declare, from hate, despair, chains, our independence. umoja Only when lions have historians will hunters cease being heroes. African Proverb Without struggle there is no progress. Frederick Douglass The most potent weapon of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed. Steven Biko yours in the struggle Rodney D. Coates Director of Black World Studies Associate Professor of Sociology Miami University Oxford, Ohio 45056 513 529-1235 email: coatesrd@casmail.muohio.edu