Take a look around
And tell me what you see.
Do you see a country
Where everyone is free?

Do you see the people
United in a land,
Where people of all color
Are walking hand in hand?

Do you see a church
Where years ago inside
Dynamite exploded
And four young girls died?

Do you see a counter
Where people were not served--
Where unjust laws determined
What certain folks deserved?

Do you see a street
Where protesters were sprayed
With high pressure hoses
While they marched and prayed?

Do you see a window--
If not, take closer note--
Where folks were turned away--
Were told, "You can't vote!"?

Do you see a house
Not everyone could buy
Unless they "qualified"?
Hmm. I wonder why?

Do you see a job
Where privilege preordained
Who'd be hired? Of course.
The practice was ingrained.

From out of the darkness emerged
A beacon, a shining light:
A man who offered us
A peaceful means to fight.

But while we've moved forward,
We keep stepping back,
For now voter rights
Again are under attack.

The long walk for freedom
Is not an easy walk.
Justice is also threatened
By insensitive talk.

For ugly, hateful rhetoric
Stirs the hard of heart
To act in unjust ways
Where reason plays no part.

Understanding, compassion,
And love should be our guide.
Let them push both hatred
And prejudice aside.

Stay on the path to justice
Even though it may seem
That roadblocks get in the way.
Don't give up the dream.

-by Bob B (1-15-18)