I wrote this poem back in January after listening to several black friends share their hearts with me about their experience as men of color in the USA. I was heart-broken after hearing their stories of being marginalized, overlooked, and talked down to. I learned about how wearying life has been for them as they have to constantly invest emotional energy into things I never have to think about, such as how to present themselves in a way that will be received by others, how to act in such a way that puts white people at ease, and how to try to break the glass ceiling of leadership and influence they can’t seem to break through, in spite of their character, intelligence, leadership abilities, experience, talents and education. I love these men, and couldn’t sleep one night as wrestled with my own emotions while thinking of the emotions they expressed to me: hurt, weariness, anger, frustration, deep sadness, and disappointment – especially with white Christian leaders who don’t get it or don’t speak up or do anything about it. This poem is from my heart, after being touched by their hearts. I hope it brings illumination.
By Mark A. Vincenti
Penned: 1/28/2020
You want the truth in manageable chunks
Say a little truth, but don’t say too much
This truth has been brewing down deep beneath the surface
The truth will challenge you but I’m not sure it’s worth it
Don’t rock the boat, let history’s course be run
In the time revolution takes, my race will be done
My life matters too, as does my generation
So what’s the point of waiting, why the hesitation?
Change comes hard, and the truth lights the spark
Even when I speak in love, you’re deaf to my remarks
One more generation of blacks sounding mad
Look at the progress that’s been made, shouldn’t you be glad?
Unity, diversity, equality is declared
But time and voice and power are not equally shared
So I call out white privilege and racism
and you reject such loaded words
While you express inclusiveness
I reject such bloated words
Until good works join with what you express
And you embody it with your tears and your sweat
Then all you see is all you’ll get
We’ll still be waiting on change when the sun has set
Yet another voice crying in the wilderness
Yet another prophet sent to address all this mess
Yet another call to something far more
A Kingdom life to live and strive and die for
Strive and die for a Kingdom that never ends
Livin’ it with our feet, our heads our hearts our hands
Livin’ it uncomfortable with all it’s demands
Pledging allegiance to the King of Kings for whom we stand
Speaking the truth about race, facing reprimands
Demanding saving face, shackle faith, tying hands
Brothers stay silent, reputation to uphold
Where’s the courage of conviction and the passion to be bold?
Yet another voice crying in the wilderness
Yet another prophet sent to address all this mess
Yet another call to something far more
A Kingdom life to live and strive and die forh
