"Time To Stand Up?" by John Kaniecki

Colin Kaepernick has sparked a debate which addresses the fundamentals of this country. It shows the difference between the ideal of ‘America’ and the practical ‘United States’.

America is the land of the dream. It has no state religion, allowing all to practice their faith as they see fit. All political parties are welcome. There is freedom of both speech and press. This is the America that does not exist and will never exist. Yet it is the America that many strive for and it is the America that many have sacrificed for, some giving all.

The United States however is a capitalistic country seeking world domination. It was baptized in the blood of the Native Americans as the natives were sacrificed in genocide. It was built on the whipped backs of Africans who were made slaves and immigrant labor. The United States sends its soldiers throughout the world to kill people and steal their resources. Domestically the United States is a wicked force of oppression its goal is maximizing profits. The United States worships the god of mammon enforced by lies.

The difference between America and the United States is the difference between the oppressed and the oppressor. The two cannot coexist as they are contrary to one another. So I ask you “Which side are you on?”

Time To Stand Up?

by John Kaniecki

When Pilgrim pride
Committed genocide

Did you stand?

When from across the sea

Merchants delt chattel slavery

Did you stand?

When immigrants of all ages

Were paid starvation wages

Did you stand?

When Jim Crow did reign

Inflicting bitter pain

Did you stand?

When they desecrated sacred Mother Earth

Violating indigenous worth

Did you stand?
When imperialism dominated

And atrocities were created

Did you stand?

When the police time and time again

Gun down black young men

Did you stand?

When the C.I.A. in sin

Flooded the hood with heroin

Did you stand?
When trillions were spent on war

And nothing to the poor

Did you stand?

Did you stand for every injustice and wrong?
Then why should I stand for your racist song? 

For more inspiring poetry please check out "Poet To The Poor, Poems Of Hope For The Bottom One Percent"