Sunday, March 2, 2008

LAND OF OPPORTUNITY




Fair Wages!
Better Treatment!
Do We Get It?
No!


I am sick and tired of being sick and tired!
Working slave hours
in a slave job.
Striving to survive!

Do Not Put that Clothing on your Back!
Put America back on Track!
We're Not Lazy We'll Walk All Night!
We'll Walk Some More to Keep the Fight !

Cotton cutting, polyester pressing.
Chicken feather plucking,
catfish stripping.
Toilet paper rolling and migrant farming.

Hell No We Won't Go!
Heaven Knows Our Might Will Show!
Pride in the North, Pride in the South!
Minimum Wage Can't Feed My Mouth!


New York law, Delta Delight and Scottie to wipe my behind.
5¢, 10¢, 15¢, 25¢ raises
only good for one extra bus ride to work or
day old bread at least.

Our Hungry Kids are Calling!
That Why We are Stalling!
Don't Bust the Line!
Our Wages Here are the Crime!

Picket Captain
Ten Hut!!!!!
Shop Steward
Present!!!!!

Welfare Rat,
Rat You Out!
WIC and Food Stamps,
Ain't No Clout!

Out of the cotton fields
and into the fire.
Locked, stocked, and barreled,
Chain ganged and stuck in labor.

When Do We Want It?
We Want It Now!
How Do We Want It?
Right!

Land of Opportunity by Shazza Nakim
Copyright © by Peace of Mind Publishings and with permission by Shazza Nakim

2 comments:

Today's ranting said...

I feel you on this. This poem evokes sad feelings. When is slavery gonna stop? Lovely poem.

dejanae said...

the truth man
New York law, Delta Delight and Scottie to wipe my behind.
5¢, 10¢, 15¢, 25¢ raises
only good for one extra bus ride to work or
day old bread at least.