WHILE WE LOOK AWAY FROM DIXIE LAND

I don't think a flag makes you racist. I do however believe we should listen to each other more and stop this thing called racial hate and bias. Don't pass it to your kids!

It seems that down in the land of cotton  
Past lynchings and rapes have been forgotten  
Flags wave proud as symbols of hate
Over Civil War graves of forgotten fates  
Jails fill up with young black dreams  
Racist bureaucrats still ignore their screams  

While we look away, look away; from Dixie Land  

Boldness grows at each passing season  
Hateful traditions continue for no reason  
Blacks run down because of inherited color  
An ancient blood feud stirs anger white brothers  
Gun stockpiles are filled by bigoted men  
As they wait for a racial war to begin  

While we look away, look away; from Dixie Land  

Conservative cries of democratic treason  
Fox News stokes the fire of ignorant reason  
There are separate proms and stupid illicit alibis  
The black boogieman stalks the dances they cry  
In truth miscegenation is their overall fear  
They corrupt their daughters to keep them near  
Blacks belong separate like the animals in the field 
50 years after Birmingham and still they won't yield  

While we look away, look away; from Dixie Land  

A white girl boldly dresses in a confederate flag
She gets angry because the blacks get so mad  
George Wallace's words are shown in her fervor  
"Segregation now, tomorrow; and forever!"  
History is forgotten and hope lies in repose  
As the black death toll rises and everyone knows  
Murdered black children are shot for causing strife 
Still in Dixie there is no cost for the loss of black life  

While we all look away, look away; from Dixie Land  

Confederate ghosts scream warnings of the Dixie long gone  
Reminding us all about what comes from these wrongs:  
Dixie!  Sweet Dixie!  We have been here before!  
We gave up our lives but still you ignore!  
Racism is a viper that eats at the soul  
It swallows; it turns, as it devours you whole  
Remember the lives shed in this land of cotton  
The blood stained grounds that you have forgotten  
Take down that flag and remember the South  
Remember what sacrifice and glory is about  
Trouble is rising and the Lord's judgment will stand...

While you look away, look away; from Dixie Land

© 2013 Eddie Phillips

Author's Note

Maaaan! This poem is going to make some people really mad. I debated releasing it because of that fact. I am never scared of what I write but I just hate pointless arguments. It also covers a lot and misses a lot so I was also not sure if I should add more. I decided it was time to release it. Let the crap storm blow!!!! LOL

Reviews

[MoriartyMesa]

Now parts of this I can understand, my great grand fathers people came to this land when Custer lost his scalp, but we were hunted down, drawn and quartered, and grew. On my mother's side, a hate of the Empire of England on two channels, but they grew. I understand where your words come from.

[Claire in VA]

Strong words of truth. I am glad you included this poem here.

[A. H. Pinley]

Define pointless argument... Or do you mean. pointless conversation?

[Eddie Phillips]

My definition of a pointless argument on this subject is the lines drawn in the sand on both sides. I am for inclusion of all people, however there are groups on both sides that ignore historical facts on this issue. Waving the flag and pretending to be oblivious to the history it has with the African American is disingenuous. We all know and respect that it would be offensive to wave the Nazi flag around a community of European Jews. Slavery like many other racial crimes in history was a destruction of millions of black lives. The confederate flag was raised (among other reasons) to fight for the continued practice of slavery. That point is ignored. Yet, I can see it posted in museums in the south because many died not for slavery but for states rights. We need to remember that sacrifice. I do not say get rid of the flag and forget about that history. I think we as a nation should be cognizant of the history behind it and respect the ancestors of those oppressed under it. The blacks that completely desire it to be hidden are wrong too. That does not teach the reality of American history. On a further note many of or children on both sides are pawns in this stupid game. They wear it without knowledge of the history behind it. It is just something to argue over and further separate themselves. Racism can occur on both sides. All it requires is something to separate over. Many will not see it that way and that is why I stated the argument is silly and pointless. It has to many passionate believers on both sides. Sadly thay are arguing over a flag as a excuse to never fully come together. Separate proms, schools, and communities are just a step back to a separate but equal time. It means we are not progressing but regressing. It is sad!