As we were taken across the ocean
Language kept our unity
Being dispersed to many places
It tainted our cultural integrity
The changing colors of our skin in time
Caused many of us to grin
Believing it was a way of acceptance
From those who cared not when slavery end
We watched our families being torn apart
But now we do the same
Without forethought or sense of alarm
Yet we take no blame
We adapt other modes to live by
Following the same uncaring source
Trying still to gain some peace
Hoping one day to rejoice
We've sacrificed the lives of our children
No vision of how we've let them down
Unbeknownst to most refusing to clearly see
Past mistakes are now starting to rebound

Adapted from book of poems Looking at Ourselves
© 2004 by T. Duffy Afro Staff Writer

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