Privilege

Without using color, what are privilges
Well to start with wealth, over poverty
Next we have one religion, over the other
The fraternities in college, over regular students
Political power brokers, over the right to vote
One judicial system for some, over another for others
Billionaire lax taxes, over middle class taxes
Corporate Washington, over civilian representation
They say America is naught prejudiced.

Macho men who power, over docile women
Pay scales of one sex, over the other sex
Country club members, over the YMCA
City council, over the homeless plight
Movie, Music Stars, over starving artists
Special elite pass, over those waiting in line
First class seating, over regular class squeezing
Politician Lies in power, over the truth
They say America is fair and just.

Why this list, could go on, and on endlessly
In how equality, is such an inequality
That diversity, as such, being non-equality
That Liberty, be one sided, tilting Democracy
But then you have this crass Democracy
Wherein Our Constitution, we segregate
Or do the impassible, become United States
Sending pawns pieces cast off to endless war
While politicians who sent them, stay home
Proclaiming “We needs troops here there everywhere”
To get elected, for hate does power, OVER LOVE.

THS 1966 Poet (Anonymous Vietnam War Veteran)