It was ‘Roots’ that did for me.
“Hey! Monkey man, call me Massa,” they said…
“Hey you! Nigger, call me Massa Boss,” they said…
“Massa Boss Sir,” they said…
I felt like I died…

‘Chicken George’ they called me…
‘Kunta Kinte’ the slave.
I did not want to be there…not in that place.
I did not understand…
Why me they did deride…

How they laughed…
How they were contorted with mirth…
That each had their place.
Outside…I with them laughed…
But not inside…

I would not let them see…
Nor let them know
The deep anguish I felt…
They could not take away my dignity…
I had my pride…

When they had gone…
I was on my own …completely alone …
Not that being alone was any the worse.
Then…within the sanctuary of my isolation…
Finally… I cried…