The scene from my caravan window,
On a sunny bank holiday monday,
A row of shops across the road,
Layered up with flats,
2 recent additions, maybe turkish or iraq,
Those poor souls, who's journey we do not know,
left to the mercy of the children,
who's parents still don't know,
I see the approach first,
The bravest or the dumbest,
maybe six in total, 4 boys two girls,
Not a teen among them, youngest is probably 10
They throw the stones at the window,
And again and again,
finally a reaction, a chase is what they want.
But the dumb little children call them paki's and off with it they run,
Is it the children I blame for being so ill informed,
Or is it the parents to which I should direct my scourn,
To be fair I can't lay a finger,
Cause when i was that age in this estate,
I was just the same little war monger,
He finally meets their demands and chases them into the estate,
But I'm sure next time I see him,
he will be the first to admit,
That giving in was a stupid old mistake.
Cause just round the corner those parents lie in wait,
And despite all his protests, those parents only have hate,
They've seen it in the news,
His freebies from the state,
So when the children bring one home with them,
The last thing they want is a debate.
Comments
insertponceyfre... | May 3, 2010 - 18:48
Hi Will. I just read your forum post on this piece and i don't see how anyone could think it was racist. I think it's sensitive and well written. As for your question about whether children pick up their parents' opinions, yes of course they do - it's not their fault at all, and it's one of the reasons why education is so important. Anyway - I think this is a really good poem
shoe | May 3, 2010 - 19:24
A poem about racism but not racist. you seem to imply you grew out of such behaviour, I wonder where you got it from and how you changed? Good strong poem,:~}
WillSimpson | May 4, 2010 - 09:02
Yeah I think we all have a little bit of prejudice inside us, from uncounscous iinfluences.
but with time we can all see these for what they are hopefully, out of date ways of expression. The media are probably the biggest causes of these underlying problems. How many workmen will be sat in a cafe this morning reading a story how an immigrado as managed to defy all odd's and actually make it to this country and get himself a new start, they won't speak of how hard it must of been for him they will just focus on the negatives and how they are paying for it. Thats all the immigration debates come down too, taxpayers moaning how its them paying for it.
Anna Marie | May 5, 2010 - 19:31
I also agree. A well written piece that shows a person's glimpse of racism. Children are like sponges. They absorb things that their parents, friends, teachers, society says and actions they perform. Parents need to decide what to expose their children to and allow children to form their own opinions. I suppose we learn as we grow up and evolve.
A great piece that hits on a very tough topic with a witness's eye.
WillSimpson | May 5, 2010 - 23:53
I've just realised the genius thought behind spongebob squarepants.
Anna Marie | May 6, 2010 - 17:47
Wow...I never realized it until now myself. No wonder kids love that sponge. :D
Kahdai | June 14, 2010 - 12:23
Ofcourse this not racist, the kids probably ent either, they just learn the word paki & stick it anyone asian or midlleastern, if they could sponge properly they would know atleast the difference & which religions are dangerous.