Devastaion

A friend of mine at work passed this poem on to me today. Please read this:

This is deep, so take your time. Who Am I?
Why Did You Make Me Black Lord ....Lord .... Why did you make me black?
Why did you make someone the world would hold back?Black is the color of dirty clothes,of grimy hands and feet...
Black is the color of darkness,of tired beaten streets...
Why did you give me thick lips,a broad nose and kinky hair?
Why did you create someonewho receives the hated stare?
Black is the color of the bruised eyewhen someone gets hurt...Black is the color of darkness,black is the color of dirt.
Why is my bone structure so thick,my hips and cheeks so high?
Why are my eyes brown,and not the color of the sky?
Why do people think I'm useless?How come I feel so used?
Why do people see my skin and think I should be abused?
Lord, I just don't understand...What is it about my skin?
Why is it some people want to hate meand not know the person within?
Black is what people are "Labeled"when others want to keep them away...Black is the color of shadows cast...Black is the end of the day.
Lord you know my own people mistreat me,and you know this just ain't right...They don't like my hair, they don't like myskin, as they say I'm too dark or too light!Lord, don't you thinkit's time to make a change?
Why don't you redo creation and make everyone the same?

GOD's Reply:
Why did I make you black? Why did I make you black?
I made you in the color of coalfrom which beautiful diamonds are formed...I made you in the color of oil,the black gold which keeps people warm.
Your color is the same as the rich dark soil that grows the food you need...
Your color is the same as the black stallion and panther, Oh what majestic creatures indeed!
All colors of the heavenly rainbow can be found throughout every nation...When all these colors are blended,you become my greatest creation!
Your hair is the texture of lamb's wool, such a beautiful creature is he...I am the shepherd who watches them,I will ALWAYS watch over thee!
You are the color of the midnight sky,I put star glitter in your eyes...There's a beautiful smile hidden behind your pain...That's why your cheeks are so high!
You are the color of dark clouds from the hurricanes I create in September...I made your lips so full and thick, so when you kiss...they will remember!
Your stature is strong, your bone structure thick to withstand theburden of time...The reflection you see in the mirror, that image that looks back, that is MINE!
So get off your knees,look in the mirror and tell me what you see? I didn't make you in the image of darkness...I made you in the image of ME!
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After watching the news wrongfully accuse so many of looting when they are just trying to save their families and neighbors, I wonder if the same accusations would be made if they were white people? As a white person, I asked myself these things today after reading that poem.

Would more reporters stop and ask what they are doing? Would helicopters not misinterpret the SOS gunfire as assault if the people holding the guns were white? And I really to hate to even breathe these words... if they were wealthy and white, would they be starving to death while the government "figures out a plan of action"?

n the year 2005... are we still a racist country? How much longer will we harbor fear and prejudice in our hearts? How much longer will we allow ourselves to silently judge while shout from the mountaintops how evolved we are? This catastrophe has brought out the best and worst in all people... and we should always look for the best in all people. Not just the ones who look like us.

When you watch the news tonight, remember this beautiful prayer. Our people are hurting. They are taking dry clothes, dry shoes, water, food to save their children. To save others' children and parents and grandparents.

Wouldn't you do the same?

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