“What they want to hear should be plain to see if you look at the situation in which they be.” This poem was written by Harlemite Joseph “Jazz” Hayden when he was a “prisoner” in the 90′s.
They are trapped on these modern day plantations And like slaves, their heads are filled with dreams of liberation, So when you drop by to see them Please talk about how you are working to free them.
Now you see, they are not interested in words alone, ‘Cause their primary interest is in going home. So, they really don’t care to hear you speechify and pound on your chest, Unless you can show them how to put their chains to rest.
Just ‘cause you walk into prison from the promised land, Smelling of freedom and looking grand, Don’t expect them to be impressed with what they hear or see Unless you have a strategy to set them free.
By the way, have you taken the time to analyze their situation? Do you know that they are in chains all across this nation? Do you know that building prisons has become a national pastime? And demands for human rights and freedom have been declared a high crime?
Politicians and the media want to have freedom outlawed, All they talk about is getting tough on crime and passing mo’ laws. Together they work hand in hand– To spread fear and mistrust of prisoners all across this land.
Thanks to them, our unborn children have reservations. For every concentration camp in this whole damn nation? The last thing they needs is some feel good rap. That will only leave them standing in this same damn trap.
Bottom line…
If you are not talking about how to end this nightmare You sure ain’t talking about what prisoners want to hear.
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Really liked this poem. Good work.