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Ain’t No Calgon in the Hood

6 February 2009 One Comment

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

img_5014_5795359Between 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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One Comment »

  • Donna-maria Harris said:

    “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.

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