Editor's Note: Poet / CCSU Prof -- fresh from federal court victory in a racial profiling suit against the city of New York -- premiered this poem Thursday night during the Battle of the Giant Poets @ Szechuan Tokyo, W. Hartford, Ct. The evening supported 1st Congressional District candidate Ken Krayeske's campaign for civil rights and economic and social justice.
Sand Nigger Blues
Say I'm just a plainclothes Indian,
not from a tribe but from a high caste,
just driving home past Chelsea on 34th,
trying to find the West Side Highway.
Windows down, thrumming cross-town,
when I see the rearview flashing lights.
Sober as a compass, headed up north,
no mullah or drug mule yet still I'm brown.
Got the Sand Nigger Blues.
"Just a glass of wine with dinner Officer,
and yes I own this car. See my name's
on the registration. No, I'm not coming
from that far. I live in Connecticut
and was just headed home. Employed?
Yes I teach for a living. I'm a professor.
A poetry professor. No I don't have
a firearm or any outstanding warrants."
Sober as a compass, headed up north,
no mullah or drug mule yet still I'm brown.
Got the Sand Nigger Blues.
From the rear of a barred van the city
passes by in streaks. Cuffed in a human
chain, rights unread, and oxford laces
pulled from my shoes. I'm the lightest
one of three dozen or more, all huddled
together tonight on this concrete floor.
Sober as a compass, headed up north,
no mullah or drug mule yet still I'm brown.
Got the Sand Nigger Blues.
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