To the editor:
‘Bout the same as me.
I grew up thinking everyone was ’bout the same as me
Two brothers and a sister and a black and white TV;
Lived with family all around us, had no notion we were poor
Food always on the table, no wolf knocking at the door;
My mother she taught English, Dad a teller at the bank
Though we never had much money, we had plenty to give thanks;
My Mom was educated, expected nothing less of me
Required to do my homework, before watching Andy Griffith on TV;
Chores always a requirement, hard work a constant aim
Learned the value of a dollar and saving for a day of rain;
Taught that we were all God’s children, with parents always went to church
Family, God and Country were ’bout as much as all was worth;
Financial struggles as a family, instilled in me a will to rise
But knew how near or far life takes me, always treasured in God’s eyes;
My brother Jason a ball player, played ball with Jason Hughes
My friend’s name was Marlin, always certain to amuse;
They both came from black families but seemed about the same as us
Never saw a difference in good friends we love and trust;
Used no bad word for a black man, nor allowed a racial slur
Our family loved and honored neighbors, as yes some black they were;
Not till college did I hear that word racist ever used
I had trouble comprehending that there were people still abused;
Learned our nation’s hateful history was still the life that some still knew
But did not think much about it, ’cause for me nothing was askew;
Lived most of my adulthood thinking we were always gaining ground
That those people still complaining just liked to make a noisy sound;
Then with the world I watched in horror, and we all began to seethe
Watched the killing of a black man who was not allowed to breathe;
How for twenty dollars could any man be dead?
No longer blinded to the plight of those who live a life of dread;
We must be forever changed by what we were all appalled to see;
Must always look at others knowing he’s ’bout the same as me.
R.J. McConnell
Franklin
