PDF Ain’t No Calgon in the Hood
somebody got popped
i hope not
hate it when a brother or sister
gets shot
on the block
slow moving
doomsday cops
bring fire to hell
bang on my door
ring my bell
see if i’m gon’ tell
smart silence
is the best way to rebel
–sugar johnson
Between catching the uptown train to conduct “we luv the kids” writing workshops to dancing rumba on the lower eastside, Sugar Johnson flaunts his creative freedom in various mediums. The actor, vocalist, and educator have not only shared the stage with prolific artists such as The Last Poets, M-1 of Dead Prez, Jessica Care Moore, and Spike Lee, but he also labors to cultivate the forgotten souls of Rikers Island. Johnson made his film debut in Dave Chappelle’s Block Party. The ASCAP member holds a B.A. in Mathematics from DePauw University and will release the poetry collection Food Clothes and Shelter on his imprint Home Grown Publishing, LLC in 2008.
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“Smart Silence,” really? It’s a cowardly rebel.
How’s this for an alternate reality & re-write?
somebody got popped
mo blood spilt on my block
hate it when a brother or sister
gets shot
cause yo ain’t got skills
to settle beef with chops
slow moving
skittish cops
tryin to get fire outta hell
bang on my door
ring my bell
see if I got courage to tell
or if I joined ranks
of the silent – don’t tell
movement that jails
my block.
Somebody got popped
seem like blood is running
‘round the clock
hate it when a brother or sister
gets shot
and ain’t no cops
cause fire in hell’s hot
specially everybody done got
drafted in the silent – don’t tell
movement taking over my block
and yo is now cop,
judge, jury and executioner
Post script: I wish somebody WOULD have the courage to tell the cops who shot my son execution style along with three others – in his own home. All their “friends” know, but they’ve joined the “Silent-Don’t Tell” movement that’s victimizing us all. The only thing silence is rebelling against is a decent society where folks can live without fear of getting jacked cause “Yo” feels like its okay to take yours instead of earning his/hers.