Better People Than That

We come from a blessed and strong people.

They spat on us and beat our people down to the floor.

Yet our grandmothers still fed them when their hunger came to our doors.
They whipped our ancestors and put chains on their legs, backs, and hands.
Yet our fathers still stood beside them to fight for freedom in a racist land.

Our history tells a story many people of this nation refuse to hear.
Even through their hatred and abuse, we stood for liberty without fear.
They hate that we remained calm in the midst of their guns, knives, and bats.
Why? They have forgotten that we are a better people than that.

In this current world, too many of our culture have embraced performative hate.
We tag in with the bigoted lost Americans that think hate makes them great.
Today our Black people argue, attack, and run away from our virtuous history.
Racists point fingers and claim we are the monsters they always claimed us to be.

They march with their tiki torches and scream slander, hoping our patience will crack.
They taunt and entice us to answer their barbarous cruelty with a violent attack.
Our ancestors fought this same hatred and endured the same slaps, straps, and traps.
Yet they moved us forward with love because they were better people than that.

I write this to remind us that crippling hatred will never let us walk upright and tall.
Embracing vengeance, cruelty, and hatred only ensures we will stumble and fall.
Hold on to the strength of our ancestors. It is their legacy that we must protect.
It is the courage to be moral and right when others show hate, violence, and neglect.

Brothers and sisters, the world will rage and try to separate us with its attacks.
Madmen will drown themselves in lust for power because of the knowledge they lack.
HOLD FAST to your God and your history, and remain on the moral path.
Always remember we come from a people who were better than that.

© Eddie K. Phillips