‘When I was young’ or ‘shocked – coloured people not allowed’

‘When I was young’ or ‘shocked – coloured people not allowed’ timothy r gates, 08/15/2010

When I was young
I was shocked to see
“coloured people not allowed”
Was told:
“They belong in their own place
It’s immoral to intermarry with them
Why don’t they go back to where they came from…”

When I was a little older
I was surprised to find
“wo-men should stay home where they belong”
Was told:
“Women shouldn’t be over men
Women shouldn’t do men’s jobs
Why aren’t they content to be wo-men…”

When I was yet a little older
I wished I was able to be shocked to hear
“Gay people are sick, they’ll abuse your children”
Was told:
“Gay men are pedophiles
Gay women only need a good screw
If you allow them to marry, next people will marry dogs…”

When I am near death
I hope to be pleased to see
People not use Jew, ‘N’-word, or Gay as pejoratives
Will hear:
“I love you
I note what makes you different, and love you
I love to hear your-stories in the place of his-story…”