"Jamaican Juneteenth" por hassan Pérez
It took more than two years for them to get the news;
Two more years of inhuman abuse.
Because they were in Texas, they were the last to know -
Ironic because slavery was illegal when Texas part of Mexico.
That same year, on an island in the Caribbean Sea,
Another chapter was written in the book of liberty.
Freedmen in Jamaica were subjected to injustice after injustice
All because they believed Victoria when she said "trust us."
Because the crown would not let them have their say,
Paul Bogle bravely marched on Morant Bay.
As boys in blue moved in to replace gray in the South,
Bogle's body swung from a noose in the burnt-out courthouse.
A century later, Bogle was hailed as the first great Jamaican
While Blacks in Texas still hear the phrase, "the South shall rise again!"
Paul Bogle fought for his neighbors because they were human.
Robert E. Lee fought to save the South from economic ruin.
No matter how hard they try to convince us,
Things don't really change deep in the heart of Texas:
Shiny bumper stickers emblazoned with the stars and bars
Neatly affixed to the rear bumpers of brand new sports cars.
For some folks, the 19th may be just another day
But I'm spending Juneteenth in Morant Bay.
© copyright hassan Pérez 2004 - ® all rights reserved
