essex hemphill.

For My Own Protection

I want to start an organization

to save my life.

If whales, snails, dogs, cats

Chrysler and Nixon can be saved,

the lives of Black men are priceless

and can be saved.

We should be able to save each other.

I don't want to wait for the Heritage Foundation

to release a study saying

Black people are almost extinct.

I don't want to be the living dead

pacified with drugs, sex and rock-n-roll.

If a human chain can be formed

around nuclear missile sites,

then surely Black men can form

human chains around Anacostia, Harlem,

South Africa, Wall Street, Hollywood,

each other.

If we have to take tomorrow with blood

are we ready?

Do our s curls and dreadlocks and phillies

make us any more ready than a bush or a conkaline?

I'm not concerned

about the attire of a soldier.

All I want to know for my own protection

is are we capable

of whatever

whenever.

-Essex Hemphill

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クィア関係の授業で、黒人の解放運動と、Harlem Renaissance、

NYに黒人の知識人たちが集まって始まった文化の勉強してて。

Harlem Renaissanceの詩人の一人で、詩がとてもステキな

Essex Hemphill。

テスト勉強のためにノート振り返って見てみたら、

1957年生まれって書いてあったから、

ママパパと同い年だー！思って、検索してみたら。

1957年4月16日、ママと全く同じ誕生日！

でも95年に、AIDSが発病しちゃって、、、

NY行った時、詩集買えたらいいなー。